BUG: pd.json_normalize has inconsistent validation for non-string keys - accepts integers in some parameter combinations but rejects in others (original) (raw)

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Reproducible Example

import pandas as pd data = [{"a": 1, 12: "meta_value", "nested": [{"b": 2}]}]

This works - integer as meta

pd.json_normalize(data, meta=[12])

But this fails - integer as meta (with record_path)

pd.json_normalize(data, record_path=["nested"], meta=[12])

Issue Description

pd.json_normalize exhibits inconsistent behavior when using integer keys in the meta parameter:
meta=[12] (without record_path) - WORKS
record_path=["nested"], meta=[12] - FAILS with TypeError: sequence item 0: expected str instance, int found

Expected Behavior

This should either be consistently supported or consistently rejected.

Installed Versions

Replace this line with the output of pd.show_versions()