Convert Excel VBA Macros to Python with openpyxl (2026)

Why Move Excel Macros to Python?

Version control: Python files are plain text — track every change in Git instead of hiding logic inside .xlsm binaries.
Testing: Write unit tests with pytest. VBA has no built-in test framework.
Scalability: Python scripts run on servers, CI/CD pipelines, and containers. VBA requires a desktop Excel instance.
No Excel dependency: openpyxl reads and writes .xlsx files without Excel installed — perfect for Linux servers and Docker.
Modern ecosystem: Combine openpyxl with pandas, SQLAlchemy, or any Python library in one script.

Choosing a Python Library for Excel

Three libraries cover most VBA replacement scenarios. The VBAtoPython converter outputs openpyxl-based code because it works everywhere without requiring a running Excel instance.

Library	Best For	Needs Excel?	Platform
openpyxl	Reading/writing .xlsx files, cell formatting, formulas	No	Any (Windows, Mac, Linux)
xlwings	Controlling a running Excel app, real-time interaction	Yes	Windows, Mac
pandas	Data analysis, bulk transformations, pivot-style operations	No	Any

Rule of thumb: Use openpyxl when you care about the spreadsheet (cell placement, formatting, specific ranges). Use pandas when you care about the data (filtering, aggregation, analysis). Use xlwings when you need to automate a live Excel session.

Range and Cells Mapping

These are the most common VBA operations. The converter handles all of them automatically.

Reading and Writing Values

VBA

' Read a single cell
x = Range("A1").Value

' Write to a cell
Range("B2").Value = 42

' Read with Cells()
val = Cells(row, col).Value

' Write with Cells()
Cells(row, col).Value = "done"

Python (openpyxl)

# Read a single cell
x = ws["A1"].value

# Write to a cell
ws["B2"].value = 42

# Read with cell()
val = ws.cell(row=row, column=col).value

# Write with cell()
ws.cell(row=row, column=col).value = "done"

Looping Through Cells

VBA

Sub CleanColumn()
    Dim i As Long
    For i = 2 To 100
        If Cells(i, 1).Value <> "" Then
            Cells(i, 2).Value = Trim(Cells(i, 1).Value)
        End If
    Next i
End Sub

Python (converter output)

import openpyxl

def vba_trim(s):
    return str(s).strip()

def CleanColumn(ws):
    # Dim i As Long
    for i in range(2, 100 + 1):
        if ws.cell(row=i, column=1).value != "":
            ws.cell(row=i, column=2).value = vba_trim(
                ws.cell(row=i, column=1).value)

Cell Formatting

VBA

Cells(i, 1).Interior.Color = RGB(255, 0, 0)

Python (openpyxl)

from openpyxl.styles import PatternFill

ws.cell(row=i, column=1).fill = PatternFill(
    start_color="FF0000", fill_type="solid"
)

Complete Workflow: Running a Converted Macro

After converting your VBA macro, wrap it in a Python script that opens the workbook, runs the logic, and saves the result.

Python — complete script

import openpyxl

# -- paste your converted functions here --

def CalcBonus(ws):
    score = ws["B2"].value
    if score >= 90:
        bonus = 1000
    elif score >= 70:
        bonus = 500
    else:
        bonus = 0
    ws["C2"].value = bonus

# -- main entry point --
wb = openpyxl.load_workbook("data.xlsx")
ws = wb.active

CalcBonus(ws)

wb.save("data_output.xlsx")
print("Done — saved to data_output.xlsx")

What the Converter Handles Automatically

Fully Converted

✓ Range("A1").Value reads and writes
✓ Cells(row, col).Value reads and writes
✓ Interior.Color with RGB()
✓ For loops through cell ranges
✓ ActiveSheet references
✓ Rows.Count for last row

Flagged for Manual Work

⚠ .Find() and .FindNext()
⚠ .Sort() with parameters
⚠ .AutoFilter criteria
⚠ Cells().End(xlUp).Row patterns
⚠ Range.Copy / Range.Paste

Frequently Asked Questions

Does openpyxl support macros?

openpyxl cannot run VBA macros. It reads and writes cell data, formatting, and formulas in .xlsx files. The purpose of converting to Python is to replace the macro logic entirely with a Python script.

Can Python run inside Excel?

Microsoft's 'Python in Excel' feature runs Python in the cloud via Microsoft 365. For full local control, run your converted scripts as standalone Python programs that open and modify Excel files via openpyxl.

Is openpyxl the same as xlwings?

No. openpyxl reads/writes .xlsx files without needing Excel installed. xlwings controls a live Excel application. openpyxl is better for server-side automation; xlwings is better when you need real-time Excel interaction.

Can I convert .xlsm files?

Export the VBA modules from the .xlsm (via VBA Editor → Export File), then convert the .bas files. openpyxl can read .xlsm data but cannot execute or preserve the embedded VBA code.

Related Guides

Complete Syntax Mapping Reference — Every VBA construct mapped to Python.
VBA Loops to Python — For, For Each, Do While with cell iteration patterns.
VBA String Functions in Python — Trim, Left, Mid, InStr — commonly used in cell processing.

Convert your Excel macros now

Paste a VBA macro and see the openpyxl Python output instantly.

Open Converter See Examples

Excel VBA to Python with openpyxl