Broken examples

[norseman]

Tim Roberts wrote:
> norseman wrote:
>> Tim;
>>     Finally got a chance to test your snippet. Thank you for it!
>>
>> I took the liberty of flushing it out a bit.
>> ================
>> #!/---
>> #
>> import os
>> import win32com.client
>>
>> excel = win32com.client.Dispatch( 'Excel.Application' )
>> excel.Visible=1                # shows the spreadsheet (can be handy)
>> xlCSV = 6
>>                                # substitute for list generation
>> list = ["c:\\temp\\test.xls", "c:\\temp\\test1.xls"]
>>
>> for nm in list:
>>   csv = os.path.splitext( nm )[0] + '.csv'
>>   print "Procesing file:", csv
>>   if os.path.exists(csv):      # window$ won't auto overwrite
>>     os.unlink(csv)
>>   wb = excel.Workbooks.Open( nm )
>>   wb.SaveAs( csv, xlCSV )
>>   print wb.Close()             # requires manual verification
>>                                #  eliminating unattended runs
>>
>> #wb.Exit()  & wb.Quit()        # generate ERROR(s) - no such thing(s)
>>                                #  leaving Excel open
>>
>> excel.Visible=0                # actually closes Excel if no sheet open
>>                                #  verified via task manager
>>
>> print "Check to see if this worked."
>>
>> #                              end of file
>> =================
>> The above does in fact work.
>> Using the above I have a few questions.
>> Documentation on xlCSV                      came from where?
>>       "       on .Workbooks.Open(file.xls)  came from ???
>>       "       on .SaveAs( filename, xlCSV ) came from ???
>>       "       on .Close()                   came from ???
> 
> MSDN has rather extensive documentation on the Excel object model, 
> although it is somewhat spread out.  Search for "Excel object model".
> 
> I cheated on xlCSV.  That's the name of the symbol, and I believe it 
> will even be available as win32com.client.constants.xlCSV after you 
> instantiate the application, but I just searched the web for "xlCSV" and 
> hard-coded the 6.
> 
> 
>> Tell me about the lack of the .Exit() and/or .Quit(), please.
> 
> Workbooks don't exit or quit.  Workbooks can be closed, but exit is 
> something that applies to the application (excel, in your case).  You 
> should also be able to say
>    excel = None
> to get rid of the app.
> 
> 
>> I ran out of time today. Is it possible to send something like an 
>> <enter> keystroke to a Window (<yes><no>) box if it accepts same from 
>> actual keyboard?  May not work anyway since .Close() hangs (in 
>> interactive) awaiting it's answer.
> 
> The Workbook.Close method accepts parameters; you should be able to get 
> it to skip the dialog.  I believe that wb.Close( False ) should do this.
> 

==============
The  wb.Close( False)   works as predicted.
The  excel = None       leaves Excel open.
    excel.Visible=0    does close it so I'm OK.
    excel.Quit()         is probably the better choice.
                         (learned via a comment above + Trial & Error)


For the next person that might have need of this:
 >>>>>>>>>> tested/working final snippet
#!/---
#
import os
import win32com.client
excel = win32com.client.Dispatch( 'Excel.Application' )
excel.Visible=0                #=1 shows the spreadsheet (can be handy)
xlCSV = 6
                                # substituted for list generation
list = ["c:\\temp\\test.xls", "c:\\temp\\test1.xls"]
#
for nm in list:
   csv = os.path.splitext( nm )[0] + '.csv'
   print "Procesing file:", csv
   if os.path.exists(csv):      # window$/Win-DOS won't auto overwrite
     os.unlink(csv)
   wb = excel.Workbooks.Open( nm )
   wb.SaveAs( csv, xlCSV )
   wb.Close( False )
#
excel.Quit()                    # doing it right
#
print "Do a dir *.csv check to see if this worked."
#                              end of file
 >>>>>>>>>>>>>
Using the Python supplied CSV module now makes handling a variety of 
.xls files a real snap.  "Variety" of real spread sheet types, yes. The 
butchered type that should have been done in Word - probably never.

Thanks again!

Steve
norseman at hughes.net