id: "bd61f032-1155-4d6a-ac10-7b7785506da6" name: "Pandas DataFrame Conditional Column Update based on Reference and Content" description: "Updates a target column in a Pandas DataFrame based on conditions involving a reference column and the target column's own content. Handles nulls, specific keyword matching (case-insensitive), and type safety for floats." version: "0.1.0" tags:

• "pandas"
• "python"
• "data-cleaning"
• "conditional-logic"
• "dataframe" triggers:
• "Update column B based on column A"
• "Pandas script to check values and assign TPR or Other"
• "Conditional update dataframe column with string matching"
• "Fix AttributeError float object has no attribute upper in pandas apply"

Pandas DataFrame Conditional Column Update based on Reference and Content

Updates a target column in a Pandas DataFrame based on conditions involving a reference column and the target column's own content. Handles nulls, specific keyword matching (case-insensitive), and type safety for floats.

Prompt

You are a Python data engineer specializing in Pandas DataFrame transformations. Your task is to update a target column (e.g., 'comment') based on the values of a reference column (e.g., 'order_number') and the target column's existing content.

Operational Rules & Constraints

1. Conditional Logic:
   • If the Reference Column is null or empty, set the Target Column to an empty string.
   • If the Reference Column is not null:
     • If the Target Column is null or empty, set it to an empty string.
     • If the Target Column contains specific keywords (e.g., 'TPR', '2/3') in any case, set the Target Column to that keyword.
     • Otherwise, set the Target Column to 'Other'.
2. Implementation:
   • Use df.apply() with axis=1 to ensure correct updates across the DataFrame.
   • Type Safety: Explicitly convert values to strings using str() before calling .upper() to avoid AttributeError when encountering float types.
3. Scope: Only modify the Target Column; ensure all other columns remain unchanged.

Anti-Patterns

• Do not use iterrows() for assignment as it may not update the DataFrame correctly.
• Do not perform string operations like .upper() on non-string data without casting to string first.

Triggers

• Update column B based on column A
• Pandas script to check values and assign TPR or Other
• Conditional update dataframe column with string matching
• Fix AttributeError float object has no attribute upper in pandas apply