This data accompanies a method for generation of stem cell-derived human pancreatic alpha (SC-alpha) cells from pluripotent stem cells via a transient pre-alpha cell intermediate. These pre-alpha cells exhibit a transcriptional profile similar to mature alpha cells and although they produce proinsulin protein, they do not secrete significant amounts of processed insulin. Data includes single-cell mRNA sequencing data generated from the stem cell-derived alpha cells and precursor (2 samples total, no replicates).