FAQ

Is this add-in really 100% free and will it stay free in the future?

Yes, xlwings Lite is free via Excel’s add-in store and can be used without limitations for personal and commercial purposes. Self-hosting is available for a fee, see Pricing.

Where is the Python code stored?

The Python code is stored inside the workbook, making it super easy to distribute your workbook.

Does xlwings Lite send out any data?

No, xlwings Lite runs entirely on the end-user’s machine and doesn’t send any data out. The only exception is Microsoft’s mandatory telemetry (this collects statistics, like how many users have the add-in installed, etc.), which you can eliminate through self-hosting.

Is there any usage limitation?

No.

Does xlwings Lite require Python to be installed locally?

No, installing the add-in is the only requirement.

Can I install the Python packages I want?

Yes, with certain limitations, see Python Dependencies.

Can I make web API calls?

Yes, as long as the server support CORS, see Web API Requests.

Can I protect my Python code?

No, your Python code is part of the workbook and therefore accessible to the end-user. If you need to protect your Python code, you can use xlwings Server.

Can I build an Excel add-in with xlwings Lite?

No. To build an add-in, you need to either use xlwings Server or xlwings Wasm. xlwings Lite itself is built with xlwings Wasm.

What is the difference between xlwings Lite and Microsoft’s official Python in Excel solution?

See xlwings Lite vs. Python in Excel.

What is the difference between xlwings Lite and Anaconda Code?

See xlwings Lite vs. Anaconda Code.

I am getting: Unexpected error: SSL is not supported.

Add ssl explicitely to requirements.txt.