Python Pandas - Return the Period object as a timestamp with daily frequency

To return the Period object as a timestamp with daily frequency, use the period.to_timestamp() method and set the freq parameter as 'D'.

Understanding Pandas Period Objects

The pandas.Period represents a specific period of time with a defined frequency. When converted to a timestamp with daily frequency, it returns the start of that day at 00:00:00.

Creating a Period Object

First, let's create a Period object with second-level precision ?

import pandas as pd

# Creating a Period object with second frequency
period = pd.Period(freq="S", year=2021, month=11, day=26, hour=11, minute=45, second=55)

print("Period object:")
print(period)

Period object:
2021-11-26 11:45:55

Converting to Timestamp with Daily Frequency

The to_timestamp() method converts the Period to a Timestamp. When frequency is set to 'D' (daily), it returns the start of that day ?

import pandas as pd

# Creating a Period object
period = pd.Period(freq="S", year=2021, month=11, day=26, hour=11, minute=45, second=55)

print("Original Period:")
print(period)

# Convert to timestamp with daily frequency
timestamp = period.to_timestamp(freq='D')
print("\nTimestamp with daily frequency:")
print(timestamp)
print("Type:", type(timestamp))

Original Period:
2021-11-26 11:45:55

Timestamp with daily frequency:
2021-11-26 00:00:00
Type: <class 'pandas._libs.tslibs.timestamps.Timestamp'>

Different Frequency Options

You can also convert to other frequencies for comparison ?

import pandas as pd

period = pd.Period(freq="S", year=2021, month=11, day=26, hour=11, minute=45, second=55)

print("Original Period:", period)
print("Daily frequency (D):", period.to_timestamp(freq='D'))
print("Hourly frequency (H):", period.to_timestamp(freq='H'))
print("Monthly frequency (M):", period.to_timestamp(freq='M'))

Original Period: 2021-11-26 11:45:55
Daily frequency (D): 2021-11-26 00:00:00
Hourly frequency (H): 2021-11-26 11:00:00
Monthly frequency (M): 2021-11-01 00:00:00

Key Points

• The to_timestamp(freq='D') method returns the beginning of the day (00:00:00)
• The original Period's time information is preserved in the date component
• Different frequencies return different levels of precision
• The result is a pandas.Timestamp object, not a Period

Conclusion

Use period.to_timestamp(freq='D') to convert a Period object to a daily timestamp. This method returns the start of the day (00:00:00) while preserving the original date information.