PyXLL vs VBA: Which is Better?
Both PyXLL and VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) are used for automating Excel, but they have distinct use cases. Let’s compare them to determine which is better for different scenarios.
1. Overview
🔹 What is PyXLL?
PyXLL is a Python Excel add-in that allows users to write Excel functions, macros, and UDFs (User Defined Functions) in Python, integrating Python directly into Excel.
🔹 What is VBA?
VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) is Excel’s built-in scripting language, used for writing macros and automating repetitive tasks inside Excel.
2. Feature Comparison
| Feature | PyXLL (Python) | VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) |
|---|---|---|
| Read/Write Excel Files | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Modify Existing Files | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Create Custom Functions (UDFs) | ✅ Yes (with Python’s power) | ✅ Yes |
| Performance on Large Data | 🚀 Faster (Uses Python’s pandas, NumPy) | 🐢 Slower |
| Machine Learning & AI Integration | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Calling APIs & Web Services | ✅ Easy (requests, FastAPI) | ❌ Difficult |
| GUI & Forms | ⚠️ Requires additional libraries | ✅ Yes (UserForms) |
| Standalone Execution (Outside Excel) | ❌ No (Needs Excel) | ❌ No (Needs Excel) |
| Ease of Learning | 🟠 Moderate (Requires Python knowledge) | ✅ Easy (Beginner-friendly) |
3. Performance Differences
| Scenario | PyXLL (Python) | VBA |
|---|---|---|
| Processing Large Datasets | 🚀 Faster (NumPy, Pandas) | 🐢 Slower |
| Looping Through Data | 🚀 Faster | 🐢 Slower |
| Calling External APIs | ✅ Yes (e.g., requests, Flask) | ❌ No |
| Complex Calculations (ML, AI, etc.) | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
4. Code Comparison
🔹 Writing a Custom Function in Excel
Using PyXLL (Python UDF)
from pyxll import xl_func
@xl_func
def add_numbers(a: float, b: float) -> float:
return a + b
✅ Python function can be used in Excel just like a formula (e.g., =add_numbers(A1, B1)).
✅ Can use powerful Python libraries like NumPy and Pandas.
Using VBA (Excel Macro)
Function AddNumbers(a As Double, b As Double) As Double
AddNumbers = a + b
End Function
✅ Simple to implement but limited in functionality.
⚠️ Cannot leverage Python’s advanced libraries.
5. When to Use Which?
✅ Use PyXLL if:
✔ You need Python’s power (NumPy, Pandas, SciPy, ML, APIs).
✔ You want to write complex UDFs in Python and use them in Excel.
✔ You need faster data processing with large datasets.
✔ You want to integrate machine learning models into Excel.
✅ Use VBA if:
✔ You need basic Excel automation without external dependencies.
✔ You want to create UserForms and interactive GUI elements.
✔ Your users are not familiar with Python.
✔ You need to write small-scale macros inside Excel.
6. Final Verdict
- For advanced data analysis, machine learning, and performance → PyXLL (Python is more powerful).
- For simple Excel automation, macros, and user forms → VBA (built-in and easy to use).
If you need Python’s power inside Excel, use PyXLL. If you need basic Excel automation, use VBA. 🚀