python xlwt set custom background colour of a cell

Question

I am using python 2.7 and xlwt module for excel export

I would like to set backgroung colour of a cell i know i can use

style1 = xlwt.easyxf('pattern: pattern solid, fore_colour red;')

but I would like to set custom color smth. like #8a8eef or is there a palette of possible colors, because light blue is not working :)

thank you

Answer 1

If you are not using easyxf() and instead are building XFStyle object step by step, here is another way of using user friendly color names:

import xlwt

style = xlwt.XFStyle()
pattern = xlwt.Pattern()
pattern.pattern = xlwt.Pattern.SOLID_PATTERN
pattern.pattern_fore_colour = xlwt.Style.colour_map['dark_purple']
style.pattern = pattern

Answer 2

Nowadays, there is a way (originally proposed here) to define and use custom colour using add_palette_colour() and set_colour_RGB().

Here's an example:

import xlwt


book = xlwt.Workbook()

# add new colour to palette and set RGB colour value
xlwt.add_palette_colour("custom_colour", 0x21)
book.set_colour_RGB(0x21, 251, 228, 228)

# now you can use the colour in styles
sheet1 = book.add_sheet('Sheet 1')
style = xlwt.easyxf('pattern: pattern solid, fore_colour custom_colour')
sheet1.write(0, 0, 'Some text', style)

book.save('test.xls')

Also see the actual pull request that made this happen.

Answer 3

For predefined colors see xlwt.Style._colour_map_text in Style.py.

To use custom colors you will have to probably redefine palette, because colors are not used directly in cells but as a index to color in a palette. I don't know how to extend palette. Sorry.

Answer 4

Alternative solution:

If you can get away with the colors defined in xlwt, go to a color information site like http://www.colorhexa.com/90ee90 and match from one of the following Python Excel colors: http://bit.ly/1NMH67F

Answer 5

I recommend to use XlsxWriter, has awesome features too. http://xlsxwriter.readthedocs.io/