from

The from statement in Python imports specific names directly from a module into the current scope. This allows you to use imported names without the module prefix, making code more concise and readable.

Syntax

from module_name import name1, name2
from module_name import name as alias
from module_name import *

How It Works

When Python encounters a from statement:

1. The specified module is loaded (if not already imported)
2. The specified names are made available in the current scope
3. You can use these names directly without the module prefix

Basic Import

from math import pi, sqrt

print(pi)        # 3.141592653589793
print(sqrt(16))  # 4.0

Without the from statement, you would need to write:

import math

print(math.pi)        # 3.141592653589793
print(math.sqrt(16))  # 4.0

Import with Alias

You can rename imported items to avoid conflicts or for convenience:

from pandas import DataFrame as DF
from numpy import array as arr

Selective Import

Import only what you need to keep the namespace clean:

# Good: only import what you use
from os import path, makedirs

# Avoid: import everything (pollutes namespace)
from os import *

Common Patterns

Importing multiple names

from collections import defaultdict, Counter, OrderedDict

Relative imports (within packages)

from . import module_name
from ..package import module_name
from ..package.module import name

Re-exporting with alias

# In __init__.py
from .module import some_function as alias

Best Practices

1. Use selective imports — avoid from module import *
2. Use aliases for conflicts — from module import long_name as short_name
3. Group imports — standard library, third-party, local (PEP 8)
4. Keep imports at the top — except for conditional imports

See Also

• import keyword
• Modules