Update an Excel sheet in real time using Python

Question

Is it possible to update a spreadsheet open in Excel in real-time? I have the following Python code that tries to update cell B1 with the text "ID" in an Excel worksheet called Example.xlsx:

import openpyxl

wb = openpyxl.load_workbook('Example.xlsx')
sheet = wb['Sheet']
sheet['B1'] = 'ID'

wb.save('Example.xlsx')

On running the script I get this error:

PermissionError: [Errno 13] Permission denied: 'Example.xlsx'. I'm aware that this is the case because Excel is currently opening the file, but I was wondering if there was another method or module I could use to update a sheet while it is open.

Answer 1

Using xlwings, I have really discovered how to do this, and it is very straightforward. The code that follows accesses Example.xlsx, an existing Excel file, and updates it in real-time. In this case, it immediately enters the number 45 in cell B2 when you run the script.

import xlwings as xw

wb = xw.Book('Example.xlsx')
sht1 = wb.sheets['Sheet']
sht1.range('B2').value = 45