Python Pandas - Make new Index with passed list of labels deleted

To make a new Index with passed list of labels deleted, use the index.drop() method. This method returns a new Index object with specified labels removed, leaving the original Index unchanged.

Syntax

Index.drop(labels, errors='raise')

Parameters

labels − Single label or list of labels to be dropped
errors − If 'ignore', suppress error and only existing labels are dropped

Creating a Pandas Index

First, let's create a basic Index with vehicle names ?

import pandas as pd

# Creating the index
index = pd.Index(['Car', 'Bike', 'Truck', 'Ship', 'Airplane'])

# Display the index
print("Original Pandas Index...")
print(index)

Original Pandas Index...
Index(['Car', 'Bike', 'Truck', 'Ship', 'Airplane'], dtype='object')

Dropping Single Label

Drop a single label from the Index ?

import pandas as pd

index = pd.Index(['Car', 'Bike', 'Truck', 'Ship', 'Airplane'])

# Drop single label
new_index = index.drop('Bike')
print("After dropping 'Bike':")
print(new_index)

After dropping 'Bike':
Index(['Car', 'Truck', 'Ship', 'Airplane'], dtype='object')

Dropping Multiple Labels

Drop multiple labels by passing a list ?

import pandas as pd

index = pd.Index(['Car', 'Bike', 'Truck', 'Ship', 'Airplane'])

# Drop multiple labels
new_index = index.drop(['Bike', 'Ship'])
print("After dropping ['Bike', 'Ship']:")
print(new_index)
print(f"\nOriginal index shape: {index.shape}")
print(f"New index shape: {new_index.shape}")

After dropping ['Bike', 'Ship']:
Index(['Car', 'Truck', 'Airplane'], dtype='object')

Original index shape: (5,)
New index shape: (3,)

Error Handling

Use the errors parameter to handle non-existent labels ?

import pandas as pd

index = pd.Index(['Car', 'Bike', 'Truck', 'Ship', 'Airplane'])

# Drop with error handling
try:
    # This would raise KeyError
    new_index = index.drop(['Bike', 'Bus'])
except KeyError as e:
    print(f"KeyError: {e}")

# Ignore errors for non-existent labels
new_index = index.drop(['Bike', 'Bus'], errors='ignore')
print("\nWith errors='ignore':")
print(new_index)

KeyError: "['Bus'] not found in axis"

With errors='ignore':
Index(['Car', 'Truck', 'Ship', 'Airplane'], dtype='object')

Conclusion

The drop() method creates a new Index with specified labels removed. Use errors='ignore' to handle non-existent labels gracefully. The original Index remains unchanged.