Openpyxl vs Xlwings: Which is Better?
Both openpyxl and xlwings are Python libraries for working with Excel files, but they are fundamentally different in their approach and use cases. openpyxl is designed to work with Excel files directly by reading, writing, and modifying .xlsx files, whereas xlwings acts as a bridge between Python and Excel, allowing direct interaction with an open Excel application.
To choose the right library for your project, it’s important to understand their differences, strengths, and limitations.
1. Overview of openpyxl
What is openpyxl?
openpyxl is a Python library that allows you to read, write, and manipulate Excel files (.xlsx and .xlsm) without requiring Microsoft Excel to be installed. It is widely used for data processing tasks such as generating reports, analyzing spreadsheets, and automating Excel workflows.
Key Features of openpyxl
- Reading and writing Excel files (
.xlsx,.xlsm) - Supports cell formatting, styles, and conditional formatting
- Can insert images, charts, and tables
- Reads and writes formulas but does not evaluate them
- Does not require Microsoft Excel to be installed
- Works cross-platform (Windows, Mac, Linux)
- Relatively lightweight and fast for reading/writing large datasets
When to Use openpyxl
- You need to read or write Excel files without opening them in Microsoft Excel.
- You want to generate Excel reports from Python scripts.
- You are processing large amounts of data where performance is critical.
- You don’t need to execute VBA macros or interact with an open Excel session.
Example: Reading an Excel File with openpyxl
pythonCopy codefrom openpyxl import load_workbook
# Load the workbook
wb = load_workbook("sample.xlsx")
# Select a sheet
sheet = wb.active
# Read a cell value
print(sheet["A1"].value)
# Close the workbook
wb.close()
Example: Writing Data to Excel with openpyxl
pythonCopy codefrom openpyxl import Workbook
# Create a new workbook
wb = Workbook()
sheet = wb.active
# Write data
sheet["A1"] = "Hello, World!"
# Save the file
wb.save("output.xlsx")
2. Overview of xlwings
What is xlwings?
xlwings is a Python library that enables automation of Microsoft Excel using Python. It allows direct interaction with an open Excel file, making it a powerful tool for automating repetitive Excel tasks, working with VBA macros, and integrating Python scripts with Excel workflows.
Key Features of xlwings
- Controls Excel via COM (Windows) or AppScript (Mac)
- Requires Microsoft Excel to be installed
- Reads and writes data to an active Excel workbook
- Can call Python functions from Excel using UDFs (User Defined Functions)
- Executes VBA macros from Python
- Supports NumPy and Pandas for data processing
When to Use xlwings
- You need to interact with an open Excel workbook dynamically.
- You want to automate repetitive Excel tasks using Python.
- You need to execute VBA macros from Python.
- You are working with real-time data updates in Excel.
Example: Writing Data to Excel Using xlwings
pythonCopy codeimport xlwings as xw
# Open an Excel workbook
wb = xw.Book("sample.xlsx")
sheet = wb.sheets["Sheet1"]
# Write data to a cell
sheet.range("A1").value = "Hello, xlwings!"
# Save and close
wb.save()
wb.close()
Example: Running a VBA Macro from Python Using xlwings
pythonCopy codeimport xlwings as xw
# Open workbook
wb = xw.Book("sample.xlsm")
# Run a macro
wb.macro("MyMacro")()
# Close workbook
wb.close()
3. Comparison of openpyxl vs xlwings
| Feature | openpyxl | xlwings |
|---|---|---|
| Use Case | Reading/writing Excel files | Controlling an open Excel application |
| Installation | pip install openpyxl | pip install xlwings |
| Requires Excel? | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Supported File Formats | .xlsx, .xlsm | .xls, .xlsx, .xlsm, .csv |
| Performance | 🚀 Fast for reading/writing data | 🐢 Slower due to Excel automation |
| Formula Support | ✅ Can read/write formulas but does not evaluate them | ✅ Can interact with formulas dynamically |
| Charts & Formatting | ✅ Supports styling, charts, and conditional formatting | ✅ Full control over Excel formatting |
| VBA Macro Support | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| NumPy/Pandas Integration | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Best For | Data processing, static reports | Live Excel automation, advanced formatting |
4. Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages of openpyxl
✅ Works without Excel installed
✅ Fast and efficient for reading/writing Excel files
✅ Supports styling, conditional formatting, and charts
✅ Works on all platforms (Windows, Mac, Linux)
🚫 Limitations
❌ Cannot interact with an open Excel workbook
❌ Does not execute VBA macros
❌ Does not evaluate formulas dynamically
Advantages of xlwings
✅ Directly controls an open Excel workbook
✅ Can execute VBA macros and interact with Excel formulas
✅ Supports NumPy and Pandas for data analysis
✅ Works well for automation of Excel tasks
🚫 Limitations
❌ Requires Microsoft Excel to be installed
❌ Slower than openpyxl due to Excel automation overhead
❌ Limited to Windows and Mac (no Linux support)
5. Which One Should You Choose?
Use openpyxl if:
✔ You need to process Excel files programmatically without opening Excel.
✔ You need fast and efficient reading/writing of Excel data.
✔ You are generating reports or modifying existing Excel files.
✔ You don’t need to run VBA macros or interact with formulas dynamically.
Use xlwings if:
✔ You need to automate tasks in an active Excel session.
✔ You need to interact with Excel formulas and VBA macros.
✔ You are working with real-time Excel data and require live updates.
✔ You need integration with NumPy/Pandas for advanced data analysis.
Conclusion
Both openpyxl and xlwings are powerful tools for working with Excel, but they serve different purposes. openpyxl is best for working with Excel files directly, while xlwings is ideal for automating Excel and interacting with live workbooks. The right choice depends on your project requirements—whether you need a lightweight library for processing Excel files or a full-fledged automation tool for Excel workflows.
Would you like a recommendation based on your specific use case? 🚀