win32com Tricks and Secrets

win32com Tricks and SecretsThe essential tools for using com objects in Python

Presented by Craig Millercraigmiller@utah.govUtah Division of Water Resources

November 9, 2010

What Tricks (you might ask)Create reports with WordCreate tables, charts, graphicsUse any database accessible

through ADODB.Translate existing VB, C+ into

python to use the same com objects

Etc.

Download/Install Pythonwin Navigate to http://sourceforge.net/projects/pywin32/

Select this

To view this

Computer/System

Python version

Where is PythonWin installed?ArcGIS 10 setup

Basic example (will work after install)Import win32com.client xlApp = win32com.client.Dispatch(

"Excel.Application")xlApp.Visible = TruexlApp.WorkBooks.Add()

Note: Should show Excel with 3 standard worksheets, sheet1, sheet2, sheet3

What Strings to Use with DispatchDo not use Task Manager to find

strings. Old help suggests this but now doesn’t work.

For Word use “Word.Application”For other applications use

MakePy

Create them with MakePy

Select your Com objects and press

“OK”results below

Look at Code in Script

Where to get helpCreate macros and translate the

code from Word or Excel.Use .chm helpfiles from

Microsoft, for example vbalx10.chm for excel.

Use ADO210.CHM for ADODB

Use JETSQL40.chm for SQL

More .chm files are available

What you get after DispatchNote: This only works in PythonWin

You can now inspect xlApp’s methods

Rules are for following!If you use MakePy

◦…. and distribute your code, distribute the files created by MakePy.

Suggestions for modifying VBA to work in python:Case for methods and attributes matters.

RS.MoveFirst() not RS.movefirst()Always use () with methods

RS.MoveFirst() not RS.MoveFirstAttributes or values don’t need ()

◦while not RS.EOF: acceptableDon’t use shortcuts! (Use PythonWin here)

RS.Fields(“ID”).Value not RS(“ID”)

If you use MakePyMake sure that you also include

the proper COM files if you use a specific version.

Consider using generic versions by simply deleting the version number, ie. “ADODB.Connection” not “ADODB.Connection.6.0”

HintsDevelop initial code in VB, C+, or

C++Can integrate python and ruby

into Visual Studio 2010. Less need for these workarounds when VS 2010 is standard for ArcGIS.

You can integrate python into microsoft code now if you register it!

Need More Help??

Thank You!Questions?Email: CraigMiller@Utah.govPhone: 801-538-7280