Python Academy · Lesson

Indexing, Filtering, and Boolean Masks

Select rows and columns with loc, iloc, and boolean conditions.

Indexing, Filtering, and Boolean Masks is a free Python Academy lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 2 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the Python Academy learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.

loc vs iloc

loc selects by label; iloc selects by integer position. Never mix them up.

import pandas as pd

df = pd.DataFrame({"a":[1,2,3],"b":[4,5,6]}, index=["x","y","z"])
print(df.loc["y"])       # row with label y
print(df.iloc[1])        # row at position 1 (same row)
print(df.loc["x":"y"])   # rows x to y inclusive

Boolean Mask Filtering

Create a boolean Series and use it to select rows. This is the pandas equivalent of NumPy boolean indexing.

import pandas as pd

df = pd.DataFrame({"name":["Alice","Bob","Carol"],"age":[30,17,25]})
adults = df[df["age"] >= 18]
print(adults)
# Alice 30
# Carol 25

Multiple Conditions

Combine boolean conditions with & (and) and | (or). Wrap each condition in parentheses.

import pandas as pd

df = pd.DataFrame({"city":["NY","LA","NY","LA"],"score":[80,90,70,85]})
result = df[(df["city"]=="NY") & (df["score"]>75)]
print(result)

query() Method

df.query("expression") accepts a string expression, often more readable than boolean masks.

import pandas as pd

df = pd.DataFrame({"age":[30,17,25],"score":[90,80,70]})
result = df.query("age >= 18 and score > 75")
print(result)

isin() Filtering

isin(list) filters rows where a column value is in a given list.

import pandas as pd

df = pd.DataFrame({"city":["NY","LA","Chicago","NY"],"val":[1,2,3,4]})
print(df[df["city"].isin(["NY","LA"])])
# rows with NY or LA

between() for Range Filtering

series.between(left, right) returns True for values in [left, right] — inclusive by default.

import pandas as pd

df = pd.DataFrame({"score":[55,70,85,95,40]})
print(df[df["score"].between(60, 90)])
# 70 and 85

loc for Assignment

Always use loc/iloc for in-place assignment to avoid the SettingWithCopyWarning.

import pandas as pd

df = pd.DataFrame({"val":[1,2,3,4]})
df.loc[df["val"] > 2, "val"] = 99
print(df)
# 0:1  1:2  2:99  3:99

at and iat for Single Values

at[label, col] and iat[i, j] provide fast scalar access — faster than loc/iloc for single values.

import pandas as pd

df = pd.DataFrame({"a":[10,20],"b":[30,40]})
print(df.at[0,"a"])    # 10  (by label)
print(df.iat[1,1])     # 40  (by position)

Selecting by Dtype

select_dtypes(include/exclude) selects columns by data type.

import pandas as pd

df = pd.DataFrame({"x":[1,2],"name":["a","b"],"score":[1.5,2.5]})
nums = df.select_dtypes(include=["number"])
print(nums.columns.tolist())   # ['x', 'score']

Dropping Duplicates

drop_duplicates() removes duplicate rows. Specify subset to compare only certain columns.

import pandas as pd

df = pd.DataFrame({"name":["Alice","Bob","Alice"],"age":[30,25,30]})
print(df.drop_duplicates())
# keeps first Alice, removes second

nlargest and nsmallest

Select the top or bottom N rows by a column value efficiently.

import pandas as pd

df = pd.DataFrame({"product":["A","B","C","D"],"sales":[500,300,800,200]})
print(df.nlargest(2,"sales"))
# C 800
# A 500

Quick Check

What is the difference between loc and iloc?

Recap

Use loc[label] for label-based selection and iloc[i] for position-based. Filter rows with boolean masks combined by &/|. Use query() for readable filters, isin() for membership tests, and always assign through loc to avoid SettingWithCopyWarning.

Frequently asked questions

Is the “Indexing, Filtering, and Boolean Masks” lesson free?

Yes — the full text of “Indexing, Filtering, and Boolean Masks” is free to read here on the web, and the Python Academy course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the Python Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.

What will I learn in “Indexing, Filtering, and Boolean Masks”?

Select rows and columns with loc, iloc, and boolean conditions. You practise Python Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.

Do I need any experience to start Python Academy?

No prior experience is required. Python Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 2 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.

How long does the “Indexing, Filtering, and Boolean Masks” lesson take?

Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.

Can I write and run code in this Python Academy lesson?

Yes. Every Python Academy lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.

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