Xlwings vs VBA: Which is Better?

When automating Excel, two popular approaches are xlwings (Python-based) and VBA (Visual Basic for Applications). Both allow automation, but they have different strengths. Let’s compare them in detail.

1. Overview

🔹 What is xlwings?

xlwings is a Python library that allows users to control Excel using Python. It can read, write, and modify Excel files while keeping Excel open.

🔹 What is VBA?

VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) is Excel’s built-in programming language, allowing users to write macros and automate repetitive tasks directly within Excel.

2. Feature Comparison

Feature	xlwings (Python)	VBA
Read/Write Excel Files	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Modify Existing Files	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Run Code Outside Excel	✅ Yes (Standalone Python script)	❌ No (Only within Excel)
Performance on Large Data	🚀 Faster (Python optimized)	🐢 Slower (Limited by Excel)
Data Science & Machine Learning	✅ Yes	❌ No
Web & API Integration	✅ Yes	❌ No
GUI & Custom Forms	⚠️ Requires additional libraries	✅ Yes (UserForms)
Requires Excel to Be Open	✅ Yes	✅ Yes

3. Performance Differences

Scenario	xlwings (Python)	VBA
Processing Large Datasets	🚀 Faster (Uses Python’s pandas)	🐢 Slower
Looping Through Data	🚀 Faster	🐢 Slower
Calling External APIs	✅ Easy (requests library)	❌ Difficult
Complex Calculations (ML, AI, etc.)	✅ Yes	❌ No

4. Code Comparison

🔹 Reading an Excel File

Using xlwings (Python)

pythonCopy codeimport xlwings as xw

wb = xw.Book("data.xlsx")  # Open workbook
sheet = wb.sheets["Sheet1"]
data = sheet.range("A1:C10").value  # Read cell values
print(data)

✅ Reads data efficiently.
✅ Can integrate with Pandas.

Using VBA

vbCopy codeSub ReadData()
    Dim ws As Worksheet
    Set ws = ThisWorkbook.Sheets("Sheet1")
    MsgBox ws.Range("A1").Value
End Sub

⚠️ VBA is slower for large datasets.

🔹 Writing to Excel

Using xlwings (Python)

pythonCopy codeimport xlwings as xw

wb = xw.Book()
sheet = wb.sheets["Sheet1"]
sheet.range("A1").value = [["Name", "Age"], ["Alice", 30], ["Bob", 25]]

✅ Works well with Pandas DataFrames.

Using VBA

vbaCopy codeSub WriteData()
    Dim ws As Worksheet
    Set ws = ThisWorkbook.Sheets("Sheet1")
    ws.Range("A1").Value = "Hello, Excel!"
End Sub

⚠️ VBA is simpler but lacks integration with data science tools.

5. When to Use Which?

✅ Use `xlwings` if:

✔ You need Python’s powerful data analysis tools (pandas, NumPy, ML, AI, etc.).
✔ You want to integrate Excel with web APIs.
✔ You need to process large datasets efficiently.
✔ You want a modern programming language with more capabilities.

✅ Use VBA if:

✔ You need built-in Excel automation without installing anything.
✔ Your users are not familiar with Python.
✔ You need to create Excel-based forms and user interfaces.
✔ Your task is small-scale automation within Excel.

6. Final Verdict

For advanced data analysis & integration → xlwings (Python is more powerful).
For simple Excel automation within Excel → VBA (built-in and easy for Excel users).

If you need machine learning, APIs, and scalability, choose xlwings. If you need basic Excel macros without dependencies, choose VBA. 🚀

ApexDelight