How to call python script on excel vba?

Question

trying to call a python script on Vba and I am a newb. I tried converting the main script to an exe using py2exe and then calling it from VBA (shell) but the main script calls other scripts therefore it becomes complicated and I messed it up (my exe is not functional). Besides, the the main script is a large file and I do not want to revise it a lot.

Bottomline, is there a way to call the main script from excel vba, without converting the script to an exe file.

So far, I tried:

RetVal = Shell("C:\python27\python.exe " & "import " & "C:\\" & "MainScriptFile")

It starts python.exe but does nothing else. Then I tried:

RetVal = Shell("C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe " & "python " & "C:\\Python27\\hello.py")

It starts command prompt but does not even start python.

P.S. I checked all the related questions in the forum, they do not solve my prob.

Answer 1

Try this:

RetVal = Shell("<full path to python.exe> " & "<full path to your python script>")

Or if the python script is in the same folder as the workbook, then you can try :

RetVal = Shell("<full path to python.exe> " & ActiveWorkBook.Path & "\<python script name>")

All details within <> are to be given. <> - indicates changeable fields

I guess this should work. But then again, if your script is going to call other files which are in different folders, it can cause errors unless your script has properly handled it. Hope it helps.

Answer 2

There are a couple of ways to solve this problem

Pyinx - a pretty lightweight tool that allows you to call Python from withing the excel process space http://code.google.com/p/pyinex/

I've used this one a few years ago (back when it was being actively developed) and it worked quite well

If you don't mind paying, this looks pretty good

https://datanitro.com/product.html

I've never used it though

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Though if you are already writting in Python, maybe you could drop excel entirely and do everything in pure python? It's a lot easier to maintain one code base (python) rather than 2 (python + whatever excel overlay you have).

If you really have to output your data into excel there are even some pretty good tools for that in Python. If that may work better let me know and I'll get the links.

Answer 3

You can also try ExcelPython which allows you to manipulate Python object and call code from VBA.

Answer 4

Try this:

retVal = Shell("python.exe <full path to your python script>", vbNormalFocus)

replace <full path to your python script> with the full path