Openpyxl vs Xlsxwriter: Which is Better?

If you’re working with Excel files in Python, OpenPyXL and XlsxWriter are two of the most popular libraries. Choosing between them depends on your specific needs.

OpenPyXL is better for reading, writing, and modifying existing Excel files (.xlsx).
XlsxWriter is best for creating new Excel files with advanced formatting and charts.

Let’s compare them in detail.

1. Overview of OpenPyXL & XlsxWriter

🔹 OpenPyXL

Best for: Reading, writing, and modifying existing .xlsx files.
Supports: Both reading and writing of .xlsx files.
Limitations: Does not support .xls (old Excel format).
Use Cases: Modifying Excel files, data analysis, automation.

🔹 XlsxWriter

Best for: Creating new .xlsx files with rich formatting.
Supports: Only writing (cannot read existing files).
Limitations: Cannot modify existing files.
Use Cases: Generating reports, formatting, charts, and adding images.

2. Feature Comparison

Feature	OpenPyXL	XlsxWriter
Read Excel files	✅ Yes	❌ No
Write Excel files	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Modify existing files	✅ Yes	❌ No
Add formatting	✅ Basic	✅ Advanced
Create charts	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Add images	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Write large files	❌ Slower	✅ Faster
Supports `.xls`	❌ No	❌ No

OpenPyXL can read, write, and modify existing files, making it better for data manipulation.
XlsxWriter is faster and better for formatting and report generation, but cannot read or modify existing files.

3. Performance & Speed

Task	OpenPyXL	XlsxWriter
Writing large files	❌ Slower	✅ Faster
Reading large files	✅ Yes	❌ No
Handling complex formatting	❌ Limited	✅ Advanced

XlsxWriter is faster because it is optimized for writing.
OpenPyXL is better for reading and modifying existing files.

🏆 Winner: XlsxWriter (for writing), OpenPyXL (for reading/modifying).

4. Formatting Capabilities

Feature	OpenPyXL	XlsxWriter
Cell Formatting	✅ Basic	✅ Advanced
Conditional Formatting	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Merge Cells	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Custom Fonts & Colors	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Table Formatting	❌ Limited	✅ Advanced

XlsxWriter supports better formatting, tables, and rich text formatting.
OpenPyXL has basic formatting but is less advanced than XlsxWriter.

🏆 Winner: XlsxWriter (for formatting-heavy reports).

5. Use Cases & When to Choose

Use Case	OpenPyXL	XlsxWriter
Read Excel files	✅ Yes	❌ No
Modify existing files	✅ Yes	❌ No
Create new Excel reports	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Advanced formatting	❌ Limited	✅ Yes
Speed & performance	❌ Slower	✅ Faster

Choose OpenPyXL if: You need to read, modify, or analyze existing Excel files.
Choose XlsxWriter if: You want to generate new Excel reports with advanced formatting and charts.

Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?

Choose OpenPyXL if:

✔️ You need to read or modify existing .xlsx files.
✔️ You work with data analysis and automation.
✔️ You need basic formatting and charts.

Choose XlsxWriter if:

✔️ You need to generate new Excel files from scratch.
✔️ You require advanced formatting, charts, and conditional formatting.
✔️ You want better performance for large files.

🏆 Overall Winner: It depends on your needs!

For reading and modifying files → OpenPyXL
For creating new formatted reports → XlsxWriter

What are you working on? 🚀 Let me know!

ApexDelight