How to Fix the AttributeError: Writing a Counter to CSV in Python

Facing the `AttributeError: 'int' object has no attribute 'keys'` when writing a Counter to CSV in Python? This guide explains how to resolve it efficiently.
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How to Fix the AttributeError: Writing a Counter to CSV in Python

If you're working with Python and trying to export a Counter (which is essentially a dictionary subclass) to a CSV file, you might run into the following error message:

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This issue arises when using Python’s csv.DictWriter to write rows of data where the data structure doesn't match the expected format. But fear not! In this post, we will systematically break down this problem and provide you with a clear solution.

Understanding the Problem

Example of the Problem

Here’s a snippet from the code that led to the problem:

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The t object is a Counter that is being passed as a sequence when it needs to be structured differently.

The Solution

The solution is to transform the Counter into a list of dictionaries, where each dictionary contains the keys "name" and "count". This way, you create the required data structure for DictWriter to properly write to the CSV.

Steps to Fix

Transform the Counter: Convert the Counter into a list of dictionaries.

Here’s how to do it:

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Pass the Correct Structure to DictWriter: Use the newly created rows when calling writerows().

Complete Fixed Code

Here's the complete, corrected version of your code:

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Expected Output

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Conclusion

The AttributeError you experienced was a result of improperly structured data being fed to DictWriter. By transforming your Counter into a list of dictionaries, you ensure that each mapping corresponds to the expected keys for CSV writing. This not only fixes the error but also outputs the data in the desired format.

Feel free to utilize this approach whenever you need to write Counter objects to CSV files in Python!