How to Delete a NumPy Column: Only 5 Steps

NumPy is the best python package for array creation and manipulation. Thus, it allows you to complex mathematical calculations easily over the array. Let’s say you have a multi-dimensional array and want to delete the entire column then how you can do so. In this tutorial you will know how to delete a NumPy column with steps.

Steps to Delete a NumPy Column

Let’s know all the steps you will follow to delete a NumPy column. Just follow the steps for quick understanding.

Step 1: Import the requires libraries

The first step is to import the required libraries for the tutorial. In this tutorial I am using the NumPy package only so let’s import it using the import stamen.

import numpy as np

Step 2: Create sample numpy array

The next step is to create a dummy NumPy array that will be used for the example demonstrated here. You can create the NumPy array using the numpy.array() function. Use the below lines of code to create a sample array.

numpy_array_2d = np.array([[100, 200, 300],
                    [400, 500, 600],
                    [700, 800, 900]])

Step 3: Determine the index of the column

The third step is to determine which column you want to delete from the NumPy array. I will use the index to determine the column. Let’s say I want to delete the second column then the index will be 1 for deletion.

Let’s store the index of the column you want to delete in a variable.

index_column = 1;

Step 4: Delete a Numpy Column using numpy.delete() function

You have an array as well as the index of the column you want to delete. Now you will use the numpy.delete() function and pass all the required arguments like the input array, column index and axis =1 to delecolumne colun.

Add the below lines of code to delte the column.

array_after_deletion = np.delete(numpy_array_2d, index_column , axis=1)

Step 5: Display the final array

After deleting the column from the numpy array lets display the final array. You will use the print() function.

Add the below line of code.

print(array_after_deletion)

Full Code

import numpy as np
numpy_array_2d = np.array([[100, 200, 300],
                    [400, 500, 600],
                    [700, 800, 900]])

index_column = 1;
array_after_deletion = np.delete(numpy_array_2d, index_column , axis=1)
print(array_after_deletion)

Output

delete the column of a numpy array — delete the column

Conclusion

You can easily delete the columns from two-dimensional array using the numpy.delete() function. In this tutorial you will learn how to create a two-dimensional NumPy array and use the function to remove or delete the columns.

I hope you have liked this tutorial. If you have any queries then you can contact us for more help.