# Python in Excel (xlwings Lite) Build full-stack apps inside Excel with Python using xlwings Lite. APIs, databases, AI, web scraping, charts, PDFs, automation - all from a spreadsheet. ## Apps (4) ### DuckIt - CSV to DuckDB Converter - App: https://duckit.tigzig.com - Docs: https://tigzig.com/app-documentation/duckit-xlwings.html - AI Docs: https://tigzig.com/ai/apps/duckit-xlwings.md - Browser-based tool for converting CSV/TSV files to DuckDB databases and Parquet files with shareable download links. Conversion happens in-browser using DuckDB-WASM. Integrates with xlwings Lite Data Importer for Excel-based SQL analytics. ### xlwings Lite Data Importer - App: https://app.tigzig.com/xlwings-data-importer - AI Docs: https://tigzig.com/ai/apps/xlwings-data-importer.md ### xlwings Lite Data Tools Hub - App: https://app.tigzig.com/xlwings-data-tools - AI Docs: https://tigzig.com/ai/apps/xlwings-data-tools.md ### AI Schema Detection: LLM API Workflows in Excel - App: https://app.tigzig.com/xlwings-llm-api - AI Docs: https://tigzig.com/ai/apps/xlwings-llm-api.md ## Blog Posts (28) - [Claude in Excel + MCP + xlwings Lite + Claude Code: Combining the 4 for power impact.](https://tigzig.com/post/claude-in-excel-mcp-xlwings-lite-claude-code-combining-4-tools.html) — Tags: claude-in-excel, mcp, xlwings-lite, ai-coders, portfolio-analytics Live walkthrough of S&P 500 forward returns scenario model built with four tools. Claude in Excel pulls data via YFIN MCP server and builds MAP/LAMBDA formula model. Claude Code validates offline with independent Python recomputation - catches a formula error that in-Excel checks missed. xlwings Lite generates distribution charts (fan, ridgeline, raincloud) from Python into Excel. Covers when to use each tool and MCP architecture for client work. AI-readable: https://tigzig.com/ai/posts/claude-in-excel-mcp-xlwings-lite-claude-code-combining-4-tools.md - [xlwings Lite Local File Access: 8 Patterns You Can Use Today](https://tigzig.com/post/xlwings-lite-local-file-access-8-patterns.html) — Tags: xlwings-lite, python-in-excel Demonstrates 8 local file system access patterns in xlwings Lite using Pyodide in the browser. Patterns include: unzipping and processing files, CSV-to-Parquet conversion via DuckDB, analytics with charts in Excel, HTML report generation, PDF creation with ReportLab, Parquet file persistence, email with attachments via Brevo API, and PowerPoint generation with python-pptx. Uses cricket ball-by-ball data as demo. Requires mounting a local folder. AI-readable: https://tigzig.com/ai/posts/xlwings-lite-local-file-access-8-patterns.md - [How to Extract Python Code from xlwings Lite Excel Files](https://tigzig.com/post/extract-python-code-from-xlwings-lite-excel-files.html) — Tags: xlwings-lite, converters-tools Python script to extract main.py and requirements.txt from xlwings Lite .xlsx files without opening Excel. The .xlsx is a ZIP archive; code is stored in xl/webextensions/webextension1.xml as JSON-encoded text. Script uses standard library only (zipfile, xml.etree, json). Also extracts Pyodide and add-in version info. Includes a command-line one-liner version. AI-readable: https://tigzig.com/ai/posts/extract-python-code-from-xlwings-lite-excel-files.md - [xlwings Lite new WINGMAN function - some usage patterns: python sandbox, stats, cleaning, bucketing, judging](https://tigzig.com/post/xlwings-lite-wingman-function-usage-patterns.html) — Tags: xlwings-lite, python-in-excel Explores usage patterns for xlwings Lite's new WINGMAN function (similar to Excel COPILOT). Tested patterns include: LLM Python sandbox execution, passing full ranges and adjacent ranges, structured output formatting, judgment-based data cleaning, and customer profile categorization. Works with OpenAI, Gemini, and custom models via OpenRouter. Includes downloadable test file. AI-readable: https://tigzig.com/ai/posts/xlwings-lite-wingman-function-usage-patterns.md - [Claude in Excel & PowerPoint. Is it worth it? What works and what doesn't](https://tigzig.com/post/python-in-excel-with-claude-what-works-and-what-doesnt.html) — Tags: claude-in-excel, python-in-excel Evaluation of Claude in Excel focusing on Excel/PowerPoint productivity and Python sandbox capabilities. Covers what works: pivots, formulas, stats, image reading, web search, ML models, charts. Python limitations: no API calls, no external databases, no local file writes, 30MB upload limit, non-deterministic outputs. Compares Claude in Excel (AI assistant) vs xlwings Lite (full Python environment). Includes 18-page slide deck. AI-readable: https://tigzig.com/ai/posts/python-in-excel-with-claude-what-works-and-what-doesnt.md - [Python In Excel - Claude Vs. xlwings Lite? Who Wins?](https://tigzig.com/post/python-in-excel-claude-vs-xlwings-lite.html) — Tags: claude-in-excel, python-in-excel, xlwings-lite Comparison of Claude in Excel and xlwings Lite as different tools for different jobs. Claude in Excel: AI assistant for Excel heavy lifting, Python sandbox, no API calls, no automation, no local file access, non-deterministic. xlwings Lite: pure Python in Excel, API calls, web scraping, database connections, local folders, automation. Also covers when to use Jupyter/Colab for ML models and Claude Code for full-stack development. AI-readable: https://tigzig.com/ai/posts/python-in-excel-claude-vs-xlwings-lite.md - [Claude in Excel just one-shotted an XGBoost response model with train-test split, AUC and full decile table. In a spreadsheet.](https://tigzig.com/post/claude-in-excel.html) — Tags: claude-in-excel, python-in-excel First-hand test of Claude in Excel building an XGBoost response model with train-test split, AUC, and full decile table inside a spreadsheet. Also tested pivot table creation. Notes Python sandbox runs on Anthropic servers with no visible code editor. Discusses data privacy implications across different deployment models (direct Anthropic vs AWS Bedrock/Azure). Shared as downloadable Excel file. AI-readable: https://tigzig.com/ai/posts/claude-in-excel.md - [xlwings Lite Data Importer v2 Released](https://tigzig.com/post/xlwings-lite-data-importer-v2-released.html) — Tags: xlwings-lite, python-in-excel, duckdb xlwings Lite Data Importer v2 adds support for any file type (PDFs, images, ZIPs, data files), files up to 1.2GB tested, and token-based private access (Dropbox, Google Drive, GitHub) alongside shareable links. Auto-converts data files to DuckDB or imports as-is. Uses token access pattern from xlwings_utils package. Includes CORS proxy and token setup guides with AI coder instructions. AI-readable: https://tigzig.com/ai/posts/xlwings-lite-data-importer-v2-released.md - [xlwings_utils: Secure Cloud Access & VBA Bridge](https://tigzig.com/post/xlwings-utils-secure-cloud-access-vba-bridge.html) — Tags: xlwings-lite, python-in-excel Review of xlwings_utils package by Ruud van der Ham solving two xlwings Lite limitations. First: secure OAuth token-based access to Dropbox, Google Drive, and GitHub (tested by author) instead of shareable URLs with CORS proxy. Second: VBA bridge for local filesystem access using base64 encoding through Excel sheets, enabling PDF export to local folders, batch image processing, and zip file handling. Also includes stdout capture and openpyxl integration utilities. AI-readable: https://tigzig.com/ai/posts/xlwings-utils-secure-cloud-access-vba-bridge.md - [DuckDB Meets Excel: xlwings Lite Data Tools](https://tigzig.com/post/duckdb-meets-excel-xlwings-lite-data-tools.html) — Tags: duckdb, xlwings-lite, python-in-excel Two tools for getting large datasets into xlwings Lite. DuckIt: browser-based file converter that turns CSVs into DuckDB or Parquet with shareable links (tested up to 1.5GB, 10M+ records). xlwings Lite Data Importer: pulls files from URLs into Excel, supports DuckDB, SQLite, CSV, Parquet, JSON (tested up to 1.2GB, 20M+ records). Uses Cloudflare Worker for CORS bypass. Both open source. AI-readable: https://tigzig.com/ai/posts/duckdb-meets-excel-xlwings-lite-data-tools.md - [The xlwings Lite AI Coder Instruction File - December 2025 Release](https://tigzig.com/post/the-xlwings-lite-ai-coder-instruction-file-december-2025-release.html) — Tags: xlwings-lite, python-in-excel, ai-coders 1,867-line instruction file for AI coders writing xlwings Lite scripts. Contains 21 golden rules (e.g., never use .expand() on just-written data), InvalidArgument troubleshooting guide, custom function patterns, API stability workarounds, and complete limitation documentation. Built from five months of client work. Includes five production app examples: AI web scraper, technical analyst, MF holdings analyzer, database connector, and EDA+ML workflow. AI-readable: https://tigzig.com/ai/posts/the-xlwings-lite-ai-coder-instruction-file-december-2025-release.md - [Intelligent AI Web Scraper in Excel with Python (xlwings Lite)](https://tigzig.com/post/intelligent-ai-web-scraper-in-excel-with-python-xlwings-lite.html) — Tags: xlwings-lite, python-in-excel AI-powered web scraper built in Excel using xlwings Lite, Jina.ai for content extraction, and Gemini for intelligent data transformation. Accepts natural language instructions for filtering, selecting, normalizing, and deriving fields. Configurable LLM parameters (topP, temperature, thinking budget) and scrape settings. Outputs structured data with status logs and a 30-KPI dashboard. AI-readable: https://tigzig.com/ai/posts/intelligent-ai-web-scraper-in-excel-with-python-xlwings-lite.md - [Automated Analytics & Reporting with Python in Excel (xlwings Lite). Build Once - Reuse Anywhere.](https://tigzig.com/post/automated-analytics-reporting-with-python-in-excel-xlwings-lite-build-once-reuse-anywhere.html) — Tags: xlwings-lite, python-in-excel, technical-analysis Reusable architecture for automated PDF and HTML report generation using xlwings Lite. Demonstrates an AI-driven technical analysis report for Yahoo Finance symbols in 45 seconds. Covers 9 reusable building blocks: API data fetching, Python transformations, Matplotlib charting, multi-modal AI calls, markdown-to-report assembly, and backend URL generation. AI-readable: https://tigzig.com/ai/posts/automated-analytics-reporting-with-python-in-excel-xlwings-lite-build-once-reuse-anywhere.md - [New Open Source Tool. Mutual Funds Holdings Analyzer. Python in Excel (xlwings Lite). Now Live.](https://tigzig.com/post/new-open-source-tool-mutual-funds-holdings-analyzer-python-in-excel-xlwings-lite-now-live.html) — Tags: mutual-funds, xlwings-lite, python-in-excel Open-source xlwings Lite tool for standardizing and comparing Indian mutual fund portfolio disclosure data. Handles ISIN-based name standardization, corporate action merging, and human-in-the-loop data quality review. Two-stage pipeline: Stage 1 generates data quality reports, Stage 2 produces final analysis after manual review. Built with Gemini CLI. AI-readable: https://tigzig.com/ai/posts/new-open-source-tool-mutual-funds-holdings-analyzer-python-in-excel-xlwings-lite-now-live.md - [Which AI Coder should you use for xlwings Lite (Python in Excel)?](https://tigzig.com/post/which-ai-coder-should-you-use-for-xlwings-lite-python-in-excel.html) — Tags: ai-coders, xlwings-lite, python-in-excel Recommendations for AI coding tools for xlwings Lite development. Beginners: Gemini 2.5 Pro on aistudio.google.com (free, 1M context). Heavy work: Claude Code or Cursor. Default choice: Gemini CLI for its strong free tier and simplicity. Emphasizes using a 1,855-line AI Coder Instruction File for reliable code generation. Compares ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini CLI tradeoffs. AI-readable: https://tigzig.com/ai/posts/which-ai-coder-should-you-use-for-xlwings-lite-python-in-excel.md - [Python in Excel (xlwings Lite) with Natural Language Instructions.](https://tigzig.com/post/python-in-excel-xlwings-lite-with-natural-language-instructions.html) — Tags: xlwings-lite, python-in-excel Workflow for AI-assisted xlwings Lite code generation using voice dictation and natural language. Covers 5 rules: be specific, iterate one step at a time, demand pseudocode plans, validate rigorously, and run AI audit passes. Recommends Gemini 2.5 Pro on AI Studio as primary tool. Includes a 1,855-line AI Coder instruction file for reliable output. AI-readable: https://tigzig.com/ai/posts/python-in-excel-xlwings-lite-with-natural-language-instructions.md - [Python in Excel: Field Guide & Practice Lab for AI-assisted xlwings Lite.](https://tigzig.com/post/python-in-excel-field-guide-practice-lab-for-ai-assisted-xlwings-lite.html) — Tags: xlwings-lite, python-in-excel, ai-coders Comprehensive practice lab for AI-assisted xlwings Lite development containing a 1,855-line AI Coder instruction file, three hands-on modules (data manipulation, cleaning, campaign build) with workbooks and guides, and live apps (web scrapers, database connectors, ML models). Core protocol: Show context, Tell instructions, Inspect and validate all output. AI-readable: https://tigzig.com/ai/posts/python-in-excel-field-guide-practice-lab-for-ai-assisted-xlwings-lite.md - [Build Full Campaign in Excel with Python , xlwings Lite & AI](https://tigzig.com/post/build-full-campaign-in-excel-with-python-xlwings-lite-ai.html) — Tags: xlwings-lite, python-in-excel Module 03 field guide for building marketing campaigns in Excel using xlwings Lite and AI. Covers waterfall execution, rule-based segmentation, stratified test/control setup with statistical checks, and validation/audit reports. Includes a 1,855-line AI Coder instruction file, practice workbooks, and completed examples. Based on live SMB client campaign work. AI-readable: https://tigzig.com/ai/posts/build-full-campaign-in-excel-with-python-xlwings-lite-ai.md - [Releasing Module 02 — Practitioner’s Series on xlwings Lite. Python in Excel. Data Cleaning & Rule Based Transformation](https://tigzig.com/post/releasing-module-02-practitioner-s-series-on-xlwings-lite-python-in-excel-data-cleaning-rule-b.html) — Tags: xlwings-lite, python-in-excel Module 02 guide on data cleaning with xlwings Lite using a real-world mobile number example. Covers multi-step rule-based transformations, AI instruction methodology, context file usage, and output validation. Emphasizes that validation is non-negotiable regardless of AI assistance. Includes practice workbook and AI Coder instruction file. AI-readable: https://tigzig.com/ai/posts/releasing-module-02-practitioner-s-series-on-xlwings-lite-python-in-excel-data-cleaning-rule-b.md - [Tool: A 1,450-line context file. Purpose: To ensure clean, efficient xlwings Lite code generation.](https://tigzig.com/post/a-1-450-line-context-file-to-ensure-clean-efficient-xlwings-lite-code-ge.html) — Tags: xlwings-lite, python-in-excel, ai-coders A 1,450-line AI context file for reliable xlwings Lite code generation. Contains 5 golden rules for preventing common script failures, 13 sections covering interface and API integration, and 6 advanced examples (database connections, web scraping, XGBoost). Addresses specific xlwings Lite requirements like @script decorator, Pyodide-compatible packages, and CORS-enabled endpoints. AI-readable: https://tigzig.com/ai/posts/a-1-450-line-context-file-to-ensure-clean-efficient-xlwings-lite-code-ge.md - [xlwings Lite Practice Lab - a free, hands-on guide for Excel professionals](https://tigzig.com/post/a-free-hands-on-guide-for-excel-professionals.html) — Tags: xlwings-lite, python-in-excel Launch of xlwings Lite Practice Lab for Excel professionals with zero coding experience. Module 01 starter kit includes AI Coder guidelines, pre-built example workbook, and visual step-by-step guide covering data manipulation, visualization, and AI-driven variables. xlwings Lite capabilities extend to database integration, web scraping, and ML models. AI-readable: https://tigzig.com/ai/posts/a-free-hands-on-guide-for-excel-professionals.md - [Live Python-in-Excel systems - built with xlwings Lite. AI, Scraping, APIs, EDA, DB, Charts, PDFs, Automations](https://tigzig.com/post/live-python-in-excel-with-xlwings-lite.html) — Tags: xlwings-lite, python-in-excel Roundup of six Python-in-Excel apps built with xlwings Lite covering AI web scraping (Jina AI + Gemini), technical analysis with PDF/web reports, AI schema detection, remote database connectivity via FastAPI, EDA with XGBoost modeling, and Yahoo Finance data extraction. Each app includes downloadable Excel files, source code, and setup guides. Demonstrates API calls, LLM integration, and automation workflows running entirely inside Excel. AI-readable: https://tigzig.com/ai/posts/live-python-in-excel-with-xlwings-lite.md - [AI Powered Dynamic Web Scraper in Excel | Python+AI in Excel | xlwings Lite - Part 6.](https://tigzig.com/post/ai-powered-dynamic-web-scraper-in-excel-python-ai-xlwings-lite-part-6.html) — Tags: xlwings-lite, python-in-excel AI-powered web scraper running inside Excel via xlwings Lite. Users define URLs, target columns, and extraction rules in a spreadsheet. Backend uses Jina AI API for markdown extraction and Gemini API for structured data output via auto-generated JSON schemas. Outputs formatted Excel tables with detailed logs. Practical for lead generation, market research, and real estate analysis. Includes downloadable Excel template and setup guide. AI-readable: https://tigzig.com/ai/posts/ai-powered-dynamic-web-scraper-in-excel-python-ai-xlwings-lite-part-6.md - [AI-Powered Technical Analysis in Excel - with Python & Gemini Vision](https://tigzig.com/post/9e37b53b.html) — Tags: xlwings-lite, python-in-excel, technical-analysis Technical analysis system running inside Excel via xlwings Lite (Part 5). Pulls Yahoo Finance OHLCV data, computes indicators with Finta, resamples to weekly timeframes with pandas, builds multi-subplot Matplotlib charts (EMA, Bollinger Bands, MACD, RSI, ROC), sends chart images to Gemini Vision API for AI analysis, and generates PDF/web reports via FastAPI. Single downloadable Excel file with free Gemini API key. AI-readable: https://tigzig.com/ai/posts/9e37b53b.md - [Stock Data to AI Reports | Python-in-Excel | xlwings Lite - Part 4](https://tigzig.com/post/stock-data-to-ai-reports-python-in-excel-xlwings-lite-part-4.html) — Tags: xlwings-lite, python-in-excel, technical-analysis xlwings Lite Part 4: pulling stock data from Yahoo Finance, computing technical indicators, sending to Gemini for AI insights, and generating PDF technical analysis reports directly from Excel. Also extracts multi-period financials (P&L, balance sheet, cash flows, quarterlies). Uses a FastAPI backend that doubles as an MCP server. Includes Excel template, GitHub repo, 8-minute video walkthrough, and build guide. AI-readable: https://tigzig.com/ai/posts/stock-data-to-ai-reports-python-in-excel-xlwings-lite-part-4.md - [AI + Python in Excel with xlwings Lite - LLM API Calls | Part 3](https://tigzig.com/post/ai-python-excel-xlwings-lite-llm-api-calls-part-3.html) — Tags: xlwings-lite, python-in-excel xlwings Lite Part 3: making LLM API calls from Excel to Gemini 2.0 Flash and GPT-4o for schema detection (column names, types) with structured JSON output. Demonstrates automated workflows using detected schemas for EDA tables, plots, and downstream processing. Covers API calls via requests/httpx, comparison of LLM vs Python schema detection, and practical automation use cases including web scraping, text classification, and text-to-SQL. AI-readable: https://tigzig.com/ai/posts/ai-python-excel-xlwings-lite-llm-api-calls-part-3.md - [xlwings lite |Connect to Remote Databases](https://tigzig.com/post/python-in-excel-with-xlwings-lite-part-2-connect-to-remote-databases.html) — Tags: xlwings-lite, python-in-excel, database-ai xlwings Lite Part 2: connecting Excel to remote PostgreSQL databases via a custom FastAPI web layer. Demonstrates exploring tables, pulling records, running custom SQL, then performing EDA with descriptive stats, frequency tables, distribution plots, and building an XGBoost response model with evaluation metrics, decile table, and ROC/Gains chart. Includes FastAPI server source code, Render deployment guide, and 20-minute video walkthrough. AI-readable: https://tigzig.com/ai/posts/python-in-excel-with-xlwings-lite-part-2-connect-to-remote-databases.md - [Python Workflows. Inside Excel. With xlwings Lite (free) - Powerful.](https://tigzig.com/post/python-workflows-inside-excel-with-xlwings-lite-free.html) — Tags: xlwings-lite, python-in-excel Introduction to xlwings Lite, a free Python-in-Excel add-in with built-in code editor, console, and Excel object model integration. Demonstrates running XGBoost model builds, feature engineering, basic statistics, and data transformations directly inside Excel. Covers key features: Excel object manipulation, custom functions (@func/@script decorators), Web API calls, and package management via requirements.txt. No Python installation needed. AI-readable: https://tigzig.com/ai/posts/python-workflows-inside-excel-with-xlwings-lite-free.md ## Related Topics - [Database AI & Text-to-SQL](https://tigzig.com/ai/tags/database-ai.md) - [Claude in Excel](https://tigzig.com/ai/tags/claude-in-excel.md) - [DuckDB - Analytics & Dashboards](https://tigzig.com/ai/tags/duckdb.md) - [MCP Servers & Agents](https://tigzig.com/ai/tags/mcp-servers.md) - [Portfolio & Quantitative Analysis](https://tigzig.com/ai/tags/portfolio-quants.md)