Examples of automation of excel via python, and related useful things
| script | platform(s) it works on | what it does |
|---|---|---|
| autoclicker.py | linux | uses GTK to check a pixel on the screen. if it's a specified color, the script does a left mouse click |
| copyPaste.py | windows | uses win32com to append one xlsx to another, then saves to csv |
| findPhotoWithinPhoto.py | both | uses opencv to find the location of an image within another image. useful for gui automation |
| openpyxlTest.py | both | uses openpyxl to generate a spreadsheet |
| runMacro.py | windows | uses win32com and excel com to run a VBA function inside of time.xlsm |
| time.py | both | outputs the current date and time |
| time.xlsm | windows | contains a button which executes a VBA function which runs time.py 3 times sequentially without clobbering |
| worksheet1.xlsx | both | a spreadsheet with functions in the "total" row |
| worksheet2.xlsx | both | a spreadsheet with functions in the "total" row |
| xlrdTest.py | both | uses xlrd to enumerate the contents of worksheet1.xlsx |
| Python Library Name | Linux support | Windows support |
|---|---|---|
| GTK | strong | possible to install, but not easily |
| cv2 (opencv) | strong | wonky install, but works |
| pymouse | strong | doesn't seem to work, though it looks like it should |
| win32com | none | strong |
| numpy | strong | strong |
sudo apt install python pip python-opencv python-xlrd python-gtk2-dev
Install Python for Windows
Add the location of python.exe to your PATH environment variable
Download get-pip.py and run it in command prompt:
python get-pip.py
Add the location of pip.exe to your PATH environment variable
Run this in a command prompt
pip install pypiwin32
pip install xlrd
pip install openpyxl
Download the latest OpenCV whl (wheel) file from here then install it like this:
pip install opencv_python-3.2.0-cp36-cp36m-win32.whl
Might need Visual C++ 2015 redistributable (vc_redist.x86.exe) for OpenCV
If you need GTK, follow this guide