parsing an Excel formula with the re module

[MRAB]

vsoler wrote:
> Hello,
> 
> I am acessing an Excel file by means of Win 32 COM technology.
> For a given cell, I am able to read its formula. I want to make a map
> of how cells reference one another, how different sheets reference one
> another, how workbooks reference one another, etc.
> 
> Hence, I need to parse Excel formulas. Can I do it by means only of re
> (regular expressions)?
> 
> I know that for simple formulas such as "=3*A7+5" it is indeed
> possible. What about complex for formulas that include functions,
> sheet names and possibly other *.xls files?
> 
> For example    "=Book1!A5+8" should be parsed into ["=","Book1", "!",
> "A5","+","8"]
> 
> Can anybody help? Any suggestions?
> 
Do you mean "how" or do you really mean "whether", ie, get a list of the
other cells that are referred to by a certain cell, for example,
"=3*A7+5" should give ["A7"] and "=Book1!A5+8" should give ["Book1!A5"]?