# xlrd

xlrd is a library for reading data and formatting information from Excel files in the historical `.xls` format.

Warning

This library will no longer read anything other than `.xls` files. For alternatives that read newer file formats, please see http://www.python-excel.org/.

The following are also not supported but will safely and reliably be ignored:

- Charts, Macros, Pictures, any other embedded object, including embedded worksheets.

- VBA modules

- Formulas, but results of formula calculations are extracted.

- Comments

- Hyperlinks

- Autofilters, advanced filters, pivot tables, conditional formatting, data validation

Password-protected files are not supported and cannot be read by this library.

Quick start:

    import xlrd
    book = xlrd.open_workbook("myfile.xls")
    print("The number of worksheets is {0}".format(book.nsheets))
    print("Worksheet name(s): {0}".format(book.sheet_names()))
    sh = book.sheet_by_index(0)
    print("{0} {1} {2}".format(sh.name, sh.nrows, sh.ncols))
    print("Cell D30 is {0}".format(sh.cell_value(rowx=29, colx=3)))
    for rx in range(sh.nrows):
        print(sh.row(rx))

From the command line, this will show the first, second and last rows of each sheet in each file:

    python PYDIR/scripts/runxlrd.py 3rows *blah*.xls

You may also wish to consult the tutorial.

Details:

- Handling of Unicode
- Dates in Excel spreadsheets
- Named references, constants, formulas, and macros
- Formatting information in Excel Spreadsheets
- Loading worksheets on demand
- API Reference

For details of how to get involved in development of this package, and other meta-information, please see the sections below:

- Development
- Changes
- Acknowledgements
- Licenses

# Indices and tables

- Index

- Module Index

- Search Page