How can I get a list with the variable names of my xarray.Dataset?

Question

I am looking for a way of extracting a list of the data variable names (strings) from a xarray.DataSet object. I have used xr_object.data_vars and xr_object.data_vars.keys() but they don't seem to give anything usefull.

Also, the docs of xarray don't seem show that xarray has a built in method or attribute for getting something similar.

Anybody knows how to do so?

Answer 1

Your question is a little ambigous. I guess you know that

xr_object.keys()

would give you a view of the dataset keys.

if you just need to put it to a list, then a list() function would do it ( at least after V0.11 ): (ds is the xr_object)

list(ds.keys())

and if you need dimensions too:

list(ds.coords)

Answer 2

I think there is the result you want.

#a list with the variable names of your xarray.Dataset
res = [i.name for i in xr_object.data_vars]