Openpyxl vs VBA: Which is Better?
When working with Excel automation, Python’s openpyxl and VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) are two common approaches. Both have distinct advantages and limitations depending on the use case.
1. Overview
🔹 What is openpyxl?
openpyxl is a Python library used to read, write, and modify Excel (.xlsx) files programmatically. It allows automation of Excel tasks without opening Excel.
🔹 What is VBA?
VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) is Excel’s built-in scripting language, allowing users to automate tasks, manipulate data, and create user-defined functions directly within Excel.
2. Feature Comparison
| Feature | openpyxl (Python) | VBA (Excel Macros) |
|---|---|---|
| Read Excel Files | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Write to Excel Files | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Modify Formatting (Fonts, Colors, Borders, etc.) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Supports .xlsm (Macro-Enabled Workbooks) | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Run Outside Excel | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (Requires Excel) |
| Performance on Large Datasets | ✅ Faster (Handles large files efficiently) | ❌ Slower (Excel UI may lag) |
| Integration with Other Tools | ✅ Can interact with databases, APIs, Pandas | ❌ Limited to Excel and Office |
| Cross-Platform | ✅ Works on Windows, Mac, Linux | ❌ Windows Only |
| Security | ✅ Safer (No macro security risks) | ❌ Vulnerable to macro viruses |
| Ease of Learning | ✅ Easier for Python users | ❌ Requires knowledge of VBA |
3. Performance Differences
| Scenario | openpyxl | VBA |
|---|---|---|
| Processing Large Files (100,000+ rows) | 🚀 Faster (Better memory handling) | 🐢 Slower (Excel UI lags) |
| Looping Over Cells | 🚀 Faster using iter_rows() | 🐢 Slower (Cell-by-cell looping in VBA is inefficient) |
| File Size Handling | 🚀 Can handle large files | 🐢 Limited by Excel’s memory |
Example: Fast Row Iteration in openpyxl
from openpyxl import load_workbook
wb = load_workbook("data.xlsx")
sheet = wb.active
for row in sheet.iter_rows(values_only=True):
print(row) # Fast iteration
Example: Slower Row Iteration in VBA
vbaCopy codeDim ws As Worksheet
Set ws = ThisWorkbook.Sheets("Sheet1")
Dim i As Integer
For i = 1 To ws.UsedRange.Rows.Count
Debug.Print ws.Cells(i, 1).Value ' Slower iteration
Next i
4. When to Use openpyxl vs VBA?
✅ Use openpyxl if:
✔ You need to process large Excel files quickly.
✔ You want to integrate Excel with databases, web APIs, or machine learning.
✔ You prefer working outside of Excel (e.g., headless automation on a server).
✔ You need a cross-platform solution (Windows, Mac, Linux).
✅ Use VBA if:
✔ You need built-in Excel automation with user interaction (buttons, forms, UI).
✔ You want to modify macro-enabled Excel files (.xlsm).
✔ You are working exclusively inside Excel and need to automate UI tasks (e.g., opening dialogs, formatting sheets).
5. Final Verdict
- For data analysis, automation, and large datasets →
openpyxlis better. - For UI automation, simple macros, and built-in Excel functions → VBA is better.
If you’re comfortable with Python and need flexibility, openpyxl is a powerful alternative to VBA, especially for handling large files and external integrations. 🚀