Aspose.Cells FOSS for Python

Aspose.Cells FOSS for Python is a free, open-source, pure-Python library for creating, reading, modifying, and exporting Excel .xlsx workbooks without requiring Microsoft Excel.

Features

• Create, load, edit, and save .xlsx workbooks
• Read and write cell values and formulas using A1 references
• Apply fonts, fills, borders, alignment, and number formats
• Manage worksheets, merged cells, hyperlinks, page setup, and page breaks
• Create and preserve charts, pictures, shapes, tables, and sparklines
• Add data validation, conditional formatting, auto-filters, and comments
• Configure workbook, worksheet, and cell protection
• Read and write password-encrypted .xlsx files
• Import CSV and export CSV, TSV, JSON, Markdown, and PDF
• Preserve unsupported workbook parts where possible during load/save round trips

Installation

Install the package from PyPI:

pip install aspose-cells-foss

The package requires Python 3.10 or later. Its core runtime dependencies are pycryptodome>=3.15.0 and olefile>=0.46.

PDF support

PDF export uses skia-python, which is not currently installed by the core package. Install the renderer separately:

pip install "skia-python>=144.0.post2,<145"

Quick start

Create a workbook

from aspose.cells_foss import Workbook

workbook = Workbook()
worksheet = workbook.worksheets[0]

worksheet.cells["A1"].value = "Product"
worksheet.cells["B1"].value = "Revenue"
worksheet.cells["A2"].value = "Widget"
worksheet.cells["B2"].value = 1250.50

workbook.save("report.xlsx")

Read a workbook

from aspose.cells_foss import Workbook

workbook = Workbook("report.xlsx")
worksheet = workbook.worksheets[0]

print(worksheet.cells["B2"].value)

Apply cell styling

from aspose.cells_foss import Workbook

workbook = Workbook()
cell = workbook.worksheets[0].cells["A1"]
cell.value = "Quarterly Report"

style = cell.get_style()
style.font.bold = True
style.font.color = "#FF0000"
style.font.size = 14
cell.apply_style(style)

workbook.save("styled.xlsx")

Add a validation list

from aspose.cells_foss import DataValidationType, Workbook

workbook = Workbook()
worksheet = workbook.worksheets[0]

validation = worksheet.data_validations.add("A1:A10")
validation.type = DataValidationType.LIST
validation.formula1 = '"Yes,No"'

workbook.save("validation.xlsx")

Export a workbook

The output format is inferred from the file extension:

from aspose.cells_foss import Workbook

workbook = Workbook("report.xlsx")
workbook.save("report.csv")
workbook.save("report.json")
workbook.save("report.md")
workbook.save("report.pdf")  # Requires skia-python

Encrypt a workbook

from aspose.cells_foss import Workbook

workbook = Workbook()
workbook.worksheets[0].cells["A1"].value = "Confidential"
workbook.save("protected.xlsx", password="example-password")

loaded = Workbook("protected.xlsx", password="example-password")
print(loaded.worksheets[0].cells["A1"].value)

Supported formats

CSV import is available through Workbook.load_csv() or load_csv_workbook().

Scope

• Formula expressions and cached results are preserved, but this project is not a full Excel calculation engine.
• Native workbook loading and saving targets the Open XML .xlsx format. Other spreadsheet formats such as .xls, .ods, and .xlsb are not supported.
• Some advanced Excel features are preserved as source package parts rather than exposed as editable Python objects.
• PDF output depends on locally available fonts and the optional skia-python renderer.

Examples and API

• Browse the executable examples for feature-specific workflows.
• See the package's public exports in aspose/cells_foss/__init__.py.
• Read the current release notes.
• Review development conventions in AGENTS.md.
• Found a bug or have a feature request? Open an issue.

Development

Install the development dependencies and collect or run the examples:

pip install -e ".[dev]"
python -m pytest examples -v

Generated workbooks are written below examples/outputfiles/ and are not intended for source control.

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License. Third-party notices are available in License/ThirdPartyNotices.txt.