ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'openpyxl'

Posted in Python by Dirk - last update: Feb 05, 2024

Python raises the ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'openpyxl when it is unable to find the openpyxl library. The most likely cause is that you didn’t install openpyxl in the environment where you are running your code. Quick fix: install openpyxl using: the pip install openpyxl command

Possible causes and solutions

openpyxl is a Python library for reading and writing Excel (xlsx) files. It allows developers to work with Excel files without the need for Microsoft Excel to be installed. openpyxl supports the Excel 2007 and later file formats (xlsx) and is capable of handling various Excel features, including formulas, styles, charts, images, and more.

Sample code:

import openpyxl

# Create a new Excel workbook
workbook = openpyxl.Workbook()

# Access the active sheet (the first sheet by default)
sheet = workbook.active

# Write data to cells
sheet['A1'] = 'Hello'
sheet['B1'] = 'World'

# Save the workbook
workbook.save('example.xlsx')

And when trying to run the code you get the ’no module named error':

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "myfile.py", line 1, in <module>
ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'openpyxl'

Luckily, it is easy to fix. Below you can find the most common causes and how to fix them:

‘openpyxl’ Library is not installed

In your code you are importing the ‘openpyxl’ module

import openpyxl

which generates the ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'openpyxl'. The the most common cause for this error: the environment where you are running your code doesn’t have the openpyxl library installed.

You can use the following command in the terminal or command prompt to check if the openpyxl library is installed:

pip show openpyxl

If openpyxl is not installed you will get this result:

WARNING: Package(s) not found: openpyxl

Solution:

pip install openpyxl

‘openpyxl’ Module installed in the Wrong Directory

It is possible that you did install the openpyxl module, but that the directory where you installed it is not in the Python path.

You can check the Python path in a few different ways:

1. Using sys module in Python:

Open a Python script or the Python interpreter and run the following code:

import sys
print(sys.path)

This will print a list of directories that make up the Python path.

2. Using Command Line

Open a command prompt or terminal and run:

Windows

echo %PYTHONPATH%

Unix/Linux/macOS

echo $PYTHONPATH

If the PYTHONPATH environment variable is set, it will display the directories in the Python path.

Solution: Move the openpyxl module to a directory that is included in the Python path or add the openpyxl module’s directory to the sys.path using sys.path.append().

‘openpyxl’ not installed in Virtual Environment

Even if you have openpyxl installed in on your computer, if you are using a virtual environment you cannot access it from this environment.

If you are using virtual environments, ensure that the virtual environment is activated, and that the openpyxl modules is installed within this environment.

Installation is simple:

pip install openpyxl

File Naming Conflicts:

It is not really likely - but if you happen to have a openpyxl.py file in your environment and you also installed the standard openpyxl library it will cause a conflict. Rename your script/module to avoid conflicts with existing module names.