xlsxwriter
A Python module for creating Excel XLSX files.
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes. XlsxWriter is mature (Production/Stable, active maintenance, 3966 stars), has zero known vulnerabilities, no runtime dependencies, and permissive licensing. It's the standard choice for Python-to-XLSX export. Install it unless you need advanced features like pivot tables or VBA editing that fall outside its scope.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires Python 3.8 or later.
- Low friction: pure Python with no runtime dependencies, distributed as a wheel.
- Active maintenance with recent commits and 3966 repository stars.
License · maintenance · safety
BSD-2-Clause (permissive) — BSD-2-Clause permissive license allows commercial and private use with minimal restrictions; suitable for most projects.
last release 2025-09-16 (332 days) · last repo commit 2026-08-04 · 3,966 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 113,270,689 downloads/mo, #316 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
import xlsxwriter
workbook = xlsxwriter.Workbook('demo.xlsx')
worksheet = workbook.add_worksheet()
worksheet.write('A1', 'Hello')
workbook.close()- Performance characteristics when writing very large files beyond memory optimization mode.
- Compatibility scope with Pandas and Polars integration mentioned in description.
What it is and what it does
XlsxWriter is a pure-Python library for generating Excel XLSX files. It writes directly to the XLSX format without requiring Excel or any compiled dependencies, making it lightweight and portable. The library handles text, numbers, formulas, hyperlinks, and images across multiple worksheets, with support for formatting, merged cells, charts, autofilters, data validation, conditional formatting, and cell comments.
Typical use is exporting data from Python applications—reports, data analysis results, or bulk spreadsheet generation. It integrates with Pandas and Polars for direct DataFrame export. The library includes a memory optimization mode for handling large files and supports adding macros. Since it uses only standard libraries, installation is frictionless and it runs on Python 3.8+ and PyPy3.
Use it for
- Export Pandas DataFrames or analysis results to formatted Excel reports with charts and styling.
- Generate bulk XLSX files from database queries or API responses for distribution.
- Create templated spreadsheets with formulas, validation rules, and conditional formatting.
- Build data pipelines that produce Excel outputs without requiring Excel or COM libraries.
- Add image-based reports or dashboards embedded in workbooks for stakeholder distribution.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes.
XlsxWriter is mature (Production/Stable, active maintenance, 3966 stars), has zero known vulnerabilities, no runtime dependencies, and permissive licensing. It's the standard choice for Python-to-XLSX export. Install it unless you need advanced features like pivot tables or VBA editing that fall outside its scope.
Install
xlsxwriter on PyPI
Before you install
Low friction: pure Python with no runtime dependencies, distributed as a wheel. Active maintenance with recent commits and 3966 repository stars.
Requires Python 3.8 or later.
License in practice
BSD-2-Clause permissive license allows commercial and private use with minimal restrictions; suitable for most projects.
Quickstart
import xlsxwriter
workbook = xlsxwriter.Workbook('demo.xlsx')
worksheet = workbook.add_worksheet()
worksheet.write('A1', 'Hello')
workbook.close()Verify before relying
- Performance characteristics when writing very large files beyond memory optimization mode.
- Compatibility scope with Pandas and Polars integration mentioned in description.
Package facts
| License | BSD-2-Clause permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.8 |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 332 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 113,270,689 / month, #316 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 5 - Production/StableLicense :: OSI Approved :: BSD LicenseProgramming Language :: PythonProgramming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3 :: OnlyProgramming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.13Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9 |
Evidence: xlsxwriter-3.2.9-py3-none-any.whl
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