---
id: ssf
version: "0.2.2"
license: Apache Software License 2.0
license_treatment: permissive
maintenance: abandoned
---

# ssf — Spreadsheet Number Format processor - a Python port of SheetJS/ssf.js

License: permissive · Maintenance: abandoned · Downloads: 936.3K/mo

## What it is and what it does

ssf is a Python port of the SheetJS/ssf.js JavaScript library for formatting numbers and dates using spreadsheet format codes. It applies ECMA-376 format strings—the standard format specifications used in Excel and other spreadsheet software—to Python data types, producing formatted output strings. The package includes support for colors, widths, and localization via alternative calendars and Babel for internationalization.

The library is a pure Python implementation with no compiled dependencies, making it straightforward to install. However, the package has been abandoned since 2020-10-29 and receives no maintenance; while it remains functional for the format codes it supports, it will not be updated for newer Python versions or new format specifications.

Use it for:

- Format numeric and date values for export to spreadsheet formats using standard format codes.
- Apply locale-aware date and number formatting to data before writing to spreadsheet files.
- Convert spreadsheet format strings to formatted output in Python without requiring a spreadsheet application.
- Support alternative calendar systems in date formatting for international spreadsheet applications.
- Parse and apply cell format codes extracted from existing spreadsheet files to new data.

## Worth the install?

AI-flagged interpretation of the facts above — verify before relying.

Formats numbers and dates using ECMA-376 spreadsheet format codes, the standard format strings used in Excel and other spreadsheet software.

Yes, if you need to format numbers and dates using spreadsheet format codes and can accept an abandoned package. The library is stable, has no known vulnerabilities, and low install friction. However, do not use it if you require ongoing maintenance, support for Python versions beyond 3.8, or fixes for edge cases—the last release was 2020-10-29 with no subsequent updates.

## Install

pip install ssf
uv add ssf
poetry add ssf

## Installing ssf

Before you install: Low friction: pure Python wheel with no compiled dependencies. Maintenance is abandoned (last release 2020-10-29, no commits since); the package is stable but will not receive updates for new Python versions or bug fixes.

License in practice: Apache Software License 2.0 is permissive; you can use, modify, and distribute this package freely in commercial and private projects with minimal restrictions.

Quickstart:

pip install ssf

import ssf
formatted = ssf.format('0.00')
print(formatted)

Requires Python 3.6 or later; depends on Babel, python-dateutil, pytz, PyYAML, six, ummalqura, and convertdate.

Verify before relying:

- Whether the package handles all ECMA-376 format codes or only a subset of them.
- Whether localization and alternative calendar support are production-ready or experimental.
- Current compatibility with Python 3.9+ given the package is abandoned and last tested on Python 3.8.
- Concrete usage patterns and API surface beyond format code application.

## Package facts

- License: Apache Software License 2.0 (permissive)
- Python support: supports_current
- Install friction: low
- Maintenance: abandoned
- Downloads: 936.3K/month (top 5,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

spreadsheet number formatting, ECMA-376 format codes, Excel format strings, date formatting spreadsheet, number format processor, spreadsheet cell formatting, format code parser, spreadsheet-formatting, data-export

[View on SkillFed](https://skillfed.io/packages/ssf) · [View on PyPI](https://pypi.org/project/ssf/)