Downloading and Working with XLSX Files Using Python 3: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction to Downloading XLSX Files with Python 3

As a developer, it’s not uncommon to encounter scenarios where you need to download files from websites. When dealing with Excel files (.xlsx), the process can be more complex due to their binary nature and the potential for varying file formats. In this article, we’ll explore how to download xlsx files using Python 3.

Understanding XLSX Files

Before diving into the code, it’s essential to understand what xlsx files are. XLSX is an open-standard format created by Microsoft that combines elements of Excel Binary Interchange Format (BIF) and ISO/IEC 29500-Part 2. The file format includes several features like zip compression, which allows for efficient storage and transfer.

Using Requests Library

To download xlsx files using Python, we’ll rely on the requests library, which is a powerful tool for making HTTP requests in Python. Here’s an example of how you can use it to download an xlsx file:

import requests


def main(url):
    r = requests.get(url)
    print(r)
    with open("data.xlsx", 'wb') as f:
        f.write(r.content)


main("https://www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/statistics/2020/04/trends-in-number-of-people-in-hospital-with-confirmed-or-suspected-covid-19/documents/trends-in-number-of-people-in-hospital-with-confirmed-or-suspected-covid-19/trends-in-number-of-people-in-hospital-with-confirmed-or-suspected-covid-19/govscot%3Adocument/HSCA%2B-%2BSG%2BWebsite%2B-%2BIndicator%2BTrends%2Bfor%2Bdaily%2Bdata%2Bpublication.xlsx")

In this example, we’re using the requests.get() method to make a GET request to the specified URL. The response from the server is then written to a file named “data.xlsx” in binary format.

Reading XLSX Files

While the above approach allows us to download xlsx files, it doesn’t provide any way to read or parse their contents. To achieve this, we can use the pandas library, which offers an efficient and convenient way to work with data in Python. Here’s how you can use it to read an xlsx file:

import pandas as pd

# Read the xlsx file
xl_df = pd.read_excel(url,
                       sheet_name='Table 5 - Testing',
                       skiprows=range(5),
                       skipfooter=0)

In this example, we’re using the pd.read_excel() function to read an xlsx file from the specified URL. We’re specifying the sheet name as “Table 5 - Testing” and skipping rows 0-4 and row 10 (with a footer) for better results.

Handling XLSX File Formats

One thing to keep in mind is that not all xlsx files are created equal. Some might be encrypted, while others may use different file formats like .zip or .rar. In such cases, you’ll need to adjust your approach accordingly.

For example, if the website contains an encrypted xlsx file, you can try using a library like crypt to decrypt it:

import crypt

# Decrypt the xlsx file
with open("encrypted_file.xlsx", 'rb') as f:
    encrypted_data = f.read()
decrypted_data = crypt.decrypt(encrypted_data)

However, be cautious when dealing with sensitive data, and make sure you’re using a secure method to decrypt files.

Best Practices for Downloading XLSX Files

Here are some best practices to keep in mind when downloading xlsx files:

Always verify the authenticity of the file before saving it.
Use a secure method to handle sensitive information like passwords or encryption keys.
Be mindful of server responses and handle potential errors gracefully.

Conclusion

In this article, we explored how to download xlsx files using Python 3. We covered the basics of working with xlsx files, including downloading and reading them using libraries like requests and pandas. Additionally, we touched on handling different file formats and security considerations when dealing with sensitive data.

By following these guidelines and best practices, you’ll be well-equipped to handle your next xlsx file download in Python.

Last modified on 2023-05-25