How to convert a DataFrame into a dictionary in Pandas?

To convert a Pandas DataFrame into a dictionary, we can use the to_dict() method. This method offers several orientation options to structure the output dictionary differently based on your needs.

Basic DataFrame to Dictionary Conversion

Let's start with a simple example using the default orientation ?

import pandas as pd

df = pd.DataFrame(
   {
      "x": [5, 2, 7, 0],
      "y": [4, 7, 5, 1],
      "z": [9, 3, 5, 1]
   }
)
print("Input DataFrame:")
print(df)
print("\nConvert DataFrame into dictionary:")
print(df.to_dict())

Input DataFrame:
   x  y  z
0  5  4  9
1  2  7  3
2  7  5  5
3  0  1  1

Convert DataFrame into dictionary:
{'x': {0: 5, 1: 2, 2: 7, 3: 0}, 'y': {0: 4, 1: 7, 2: 5, 3: 1}, 'z': {0: 9, 1: 3, 2: 5, 3: 1}}

Different Orientation Options

The to_dict() method supports various orientations to format the output ?

import pandas as pd

df = pd.DataFrame(
   {
      "name": ["Alice", "Bob", "Charlie"],
      "age": [25, 30, 35],
      "city": ["New York", "London", "Tokyo"]
   }
)

print("Original DataFrame:")
print(df)

print("\n1. 'dict' orientation (default):")
print(df.to_dict('dict'))

print("\n2. 'list' orientation:")
print(df.to_dict('list'))

print("\n3. 'records' orientation:")
print(df.to_dict('records'))

print("\n4. 'index' orientation:")
print(df.to_dict('index'))

Original DataFrame:
      name  age      city
0    Alice   25  New York
1      Bob   30    London
2  Charlie   35     Tokyo

1. 'dict' orientation (default):
{'name': {0: 'Alice', 1: 'Bob', 2: 'Charlie'}, 'age': {0: 25, 1: 30, 2: 35}, 'city': {0: 'New York', 1: 'London', 2: 'Tokyo'}}

2. 'list' orientation:
{'name': ['Alice', 'Bob', 'Charlie'], 'age': [25, 30, 35], 'city': ['New York', 'London', 'Tokyo']}

3. 'records' orientation:
[{'name': 'Alice', 'age': 25, 'city': 'New York'}, {'name': 'Bob', 'age': 30, 'city': 'London'}, {'name': 'Charlie', 'age': 35, 'city': 'Tokyo'}]

4. 'index' orientation:
{0: {'name': 'Alice', 'age': 25, 'city': 'New York'}, 1: {'name': 'Bob', 'age': 30, 'city': 'London'}, 2: {'name': 'Charlie', 'age': 35, 'city': 'Tokyo'}}

Comparison of Orientations

Conclusion

Use to_dict() to convert DataFrames to dictionaries. Choose the orientation based on your needs: 'records' for JSON-like format, 'list' for simple arrays, or 'dict' for preserving the original structure.