To connect a backend Python script that processes user inputs to a frontend spreadsheet, you

can follow these general steps. This setup will depend on the tool you're using for the
frontend (e.g., Google Sheets, Excel) and how you want to process the input and return the
output. Below are approaches for both Google Sheets and Excel.

Approach 1: Connecting Python to Google Sheets

1. Set Up Google Sheets API:

o Go to the Google Cloud Console.
o Create a new project and enable the Google Sheets API.
o Create OAuth credentials (Service Account), download the JSON file with the
credentials, and share the Google Sheet with the email address from the
service account.
2. Install Required Python Libraries: You'll need libraries to access Google Sheets
and work with the data. Install the following libraries:

bash
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pip install gspread google-auth

3. Authenticate with Google Sheets:

o Use the service account credentials to authenticate the Python script to
read/write to the Google Sheet.

Example code:

python
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import gspread
from google.oauth2.service_account import Credentials

# Define the scope and authenticate using the service account key
scope = ["https://spreadsheets.google.com/feeds",
"https://www.googleapis.com/auth/drive"]
creds =
Credentials.from_service_account_file("path_to_credentials.json",
scopes=scope)

# Authorize the client

client = gspread.authorize(creds)

# Open the Google Sheet

sheet = client.open("Sheet Name").sheet1 # Replace with your sheet
name or ID

4. Read User Input from Google Sheets:

o You can pull data from the spreadsheet using the get_all_values() or
row_values() method.

python
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# Read data from the sheet
data = sheet.get_all_values()
print(data) # Print all rows of the sheet
 5. Process the Data in Python:
o Use the data from the spreadsheet as input to your Python script (e.g., to
calculate the total effort based on the complexity factors).

Example of processing:

python
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def calculate_effort(data):
effort_mapping = {'Low': 2, 'Medium': 5, 'High': 10}
total_effort = 0
for row in data[1:]: # Skipping the header
complexity_level = row[1] # Assuming complexity is in the
2nd column
total_effort += effort_mapping.get(complexity_level, 0)
return total_effort

6. Write Results Back to Google Sheets:

o Once you process the data, you can write the result back to the spreadsheet.

Example of writing:

python
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# Write the result to a specific cell
sheet.update_acell("C2", "Total Effort: {}".format(total_effort))

Approach 2: Connecting Python to Excel (Using OpenPyXL or Pandas)

1. Install Required Python Libraries: To read/write Excel files, you can use libraries
like openpyxl or pandas.

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pip install openpyxl pandas

2. Read Data from Excel File:

o Use openpyxl or pandas to read the data from an Excel file. For example:

Example using pandas:

python
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import pandas as pd

# Load the spreadsheet

df = pd.read_excel("path_to_your_excel_file.xlsx",
sheet_name="Sheet1")

# Access the data in the dataframe

print(df)

3. Process the Data in Python:

o Similar to Google Sheets, you can process the input data from the Excel file.
 Example:

python
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def calculate_effort(df):
effort_mapping = {'Low': 2, 'Medium': 5, 'High': 10}
total_effort = 0
for index, row in df.iterrows():
complexity_level = row['Complexity'] # Assuming 'Complexity'
is a column name
total_effort += effort_mapping.get(complexity_level, 0)
return total_effort

4. Write Results Back to Excel:

o After calculating the result, you can write the results back to the Excel file.

Example using openpyxl:

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from openpyxl import load_workbook

# Load the workbook and select the sheet

wb = load_workbook("path_to_your_excel_file.xlsx")
sheet = wb['Sheet1']

# Write the result to a specific cell

sheet['C2'] = "Total Effort: {}".format(total_effort)

# Save the workbook

wb.save("path_to_your_excel_file.xlsx")

Approach 3: Excel + Python (Using Excel VBA + Python)

If you need a deeper integration with Excel (trigger Python scripts directly from Excel), you
can use Excel's VBA macros to call Python scripts.

1. Install xlwings:
o xlwings is a Python library that lets you interact directly with Excel using
Python.

bash
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pip install xlwings

2. Write Python Code for Processing: Example:

python
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import xlwings as xw

def calculate_effort():
# Connect to Excel
wb = xw.Book.caller()
sheet = wb.sheets['Sheet1']
 # Read inputs
data = sheet.range('A1:B10').value # Reading some data

# Process data (similar to previous examples)

effort = 0
for row in data:
complexity_level = row[1] # Assuming complexity is in column
B
if complexity_level == 'Low':
effort += 2
elif complexity_level == 'Medium':
effort += 5
elif complexity_level == 'High':
effort += 10

# Write result back to Excel

sheet.range('C2').value = "Total Effort: {}".format(effort)

3. Trigger Python from Excel:

o In Excel, you can set up a VBA macro to call the Python script.

Example VBA macro:

vba
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Sub RunPythonScript()
RunPython ("path_to_your_python_script.py")
End Sub

Final Steps:

 Deploy the Python script on a server or as a standalone desktop application,

depending on your needs.
 Integrate the user input form (spreadsheet) with the backend Python script to
automate the workflow.
 Automate the trigger so that either through a button or a scheduled task, the Python
script processes the data and updates the spreadsheet.

By using the above steps, you can efficiently connect a Python backend script to a
spreadsheet frontend, enabling automated processing of user inputs and writing results back
to the spreadsheet.

Step-by-Step Guide for Excel + Python (Using Excel VBA + Python) to Create
a Standalone Desktop Application

Goal: This guide will show you how to use Excel as a front end with VBA to trigger Python
scripts that process data and return results back into the Excel spreadsheet. The final setup
will work as a standalone desktop application.

Tools Required:

 Microsoft Excel (with support for VBA macros).

 Python installed (with the necessary libraries).
  xlwings Python library for connecting Excel with Python.

Step 1: Install Python and xlwings

1. Install Python:
o If Python is not already installed, download and install it from the official website:
https://www.python.org/downloads/.

2. Install xlwings:
o Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Mac/Linux) and run the
following command:

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pip install xlwings

3. Check Python Version:

o Make sure Python is properly installed and accessible by checking the version:

bash
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python --version

This should display the installed Python version.

Step 2: Set Up the Excel File

1. Create an Excel File:

o Open Excel and create a new workbook.
o Save this file as effort_calculator.xlsm. The .xlsm extension allows it to use
macros.

2. Design the Excel Interface:

o In Sheet1, create input cells for the complexity factors.
o For example:
 A1: "Source Fields"
 B1: (Input number of source fields)
 A2: "Target Fields"
 B2: (Input number of target fields)
 A3: "Transformation Complexity"
 B3: (Choose Low/Medium/High from a drop-down list)

o To create a drop-down list:

 Select cell B3, go to the Data tab, and click Data Validation.
 In the "Allow" dropdown, select List and type Low, Medium, High in the
Source field.

o You can also add other complexity factors (e.g., Number of Endpoints, Error
Handling, etc.) based on the table from the previous question.
 o C1: Reserve for "Total Effort" output after calculation.

Step 3: Write the Python Script

1. Create a Python Script:

o Open a text editor (e.g., Notepad++) and write the Python script that will calculate
the effort based on the user input.

Here is a sample script (effort_calculator.py):

python
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import xlwings as xw

def calculate_effort():
# Connect to the Excel workbook (must be open for this to work)
wb = xw.Book.caller()
sheet = wb.sheets['Sheet1']

# Read inputs from Excel (adjust based on your setup)

source_fields = sheet.range('B1').value
target_fields = sheet.range('B2').value
transformation_complexity = sheet.range('B3').value

# Effort mapping
effort_mapping = {'Low': 2, 'Medium': 5, 'High': 10}

# Calculate the total effort based on complexity factors

total_effort = 0

# Add efforts based on complexity (adjust logic as needed)

if transformation_complexity in effort_mapping:
total_effort += effort_mapping[transformation_complexity]

# Example logic for source and target fields

if source_fields < 6:
total_effort += 2
elif source_fields < 16:
total_effort += 5
else:
total_effort += 10

if target_fields < 6:
total_effort += 2
elif target_fields < 16:
total_effort += 5
else:
total_effort += 10

# Write the total effort back to Excel

sheet.range('C1').value = f'Total Effort: {total_effort} days'

if __name__ == '__main__':
calculate_effort()

2. Save the Python Script:

 o Save this file as effort_calculator.py in a known location, preferably in the
same folder as the Excel file.

Step 4: Configure Excel to Run the Python Script via VBA

1. Open the VBA Editor in Excel:

o Press Alt + F11 to open the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) editor.

2. Insert a New Module:

o In the VBA editor, click Insert in the menu and select Module.
o This will create a new module where you can write VBA code.

3. Write the VBA Code to Run the Python Script:

o Add the following code to the module:

vba
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Sub RunPythonScript()
RunPython ("import xlwings as xw;
xw.Book('effort_calculator.xlsm').set_mock_caller(); import
effort_calculator; effort_calculator.calculate_effort()")
End Sub

4. Link the VBA Code to a Button:

o Go back to the Excel sheet.
o Go to the Developer tab (enable it in the Excel settings if not visible) and click Insert.
o Select a Button (Form Control) and place it on the sheet.
o Assign the RunPythonScript macro to the button.

Screenshot of the Button Creation:

o Label the button as "Calculate Effort".

Step 5: Set Up xlwings to Run Python from Excel

1. Configure xlwings:
o Open a terminal and run the following command to set up xlwings for Excel:

bash
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xlwings addin install

2. Run the Python Script via Excel:

o Now go back to your Excel file.
o Enter data into the complexity factor cells.
o Click the "Calculate Effort" button to run the Python script.
Step 6: Package the Excel + Python Application as a Standalone Desktop App

To make this setup more user-friendly for non-technical users, you can package it into a
standalone application.

1. Package Python Script Using PyInstaller:

o First, install PyInstaller to bundle your Python script:

bash
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pip install pyinstaller

o Navigate to the directory where your Python script is located and run:

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pyinstaller --onefile effort_calculator.py

This will create a standalone executable file in the dist/ folder.

2. Bundle Excel and Python Executable:

o Distribute the Excel file and the Python executable created by PyInstaller.
o Ensure that both are placed in the same directory on the user’s machine.

3. Ensure xlwings Add-in Is Installed:

o The end user must have the xlwings add-in installed in Excel to allow the VBA code
to call Python.

Final Steps

1. Testing:
o Open Excel, input the complexity factors, and click the "Calculate Effort" button.
o If everything is set up correctly, Excel will communicate with the Python script,
calculate the total effort, and display the result in the cell.

2. Distribute the Application:

o Distribute the Excel file and the bundled Python script as part of your application
package.
o Ensure that users install Python, xlwings, and any necessary dependencies.

Screenshots Example (Optional)

1. Excel Spreadsheet Interface:

o Example of how the input cells and button would look:

2. VBA Editor with Code:

 o Example of the VBA code to run the Python script:

Conclusion

By following this guide, you have set up an Excel-based user interface that communicates
with Python using xlwings and VBA. You can now use this setup as a standalone desktop
application for calculating effort based on complexity factors.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Step-by-Step Guide: Creating a Standalone Excel Application

Using Excel VBA

Step 1: Design the Excel Interface

1. Open Excel:
o Open Excel and create a new workbook.

2. Design the User Input Form:

o In Sheet1, set up cells to capture user input related to the complexity factors.

For example:

o A1: "Source Fields"

o B1: Input for the number of source fields
o A2: "Target Fields"
o B2: Input for the number of target fields
o A3: "Transformation Complexity"
 B3: Drop-down menu for selecting "Low", "Medium", or "High"

To create a drop-down list in B3:

o Select B3.
o Go to the Data tab and select Data Validation.
o In the Allow field, choose List and type Low, Medium, High.

Example Layout:

makefile
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A1: Source Fields B1: (User input)
A2: Target Fields B2: (User input)
A3: Transformation Complexity B3: (Dropdown)
A4: Total Effort C4: (Output)

Step 2: Open the VBA Editor

 1. Open the VBA Editor:
o Press Alt + F11 to open the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) editor in Excel.

2. Insert a New Module:

o In the VBA editor, click Insert in the menu and select Module.
o This will create a new module where you will write the VBA code for the application
logic.

Step 3: Write the VBA Code to Perform Calculations

1. Create the VBA Logic for Effort Calculation:

o Write VBA code that will calculate the total effort based on user input.

Here’s a simple example of how the code might look:

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Sub CalculateEffort()
' Define variables to store input values
Dim sourceFields As Integer
Dim targetFields As Integer
Dim transformationComplexity As String
Dim totalEffort As Integer

' Get the user input from the sheet

sourceFields = Range("B1").Value
targetFields = Range("B2").Value
transformationComplexity = Range("B3").Value

' Initialize the total effort

totalEffort = 0

' Logic for Source Fields

If sourceFields <= 5 Then
totalEffort = totalEffort + 2
ElseIf sourceFields <= 15 Then
totalEffort = totalEffort + 5
Else
totalEffort = totalEffort + 10
End If

' Logic for Target Fields

If targetFields <= 5 Then
totalEffort = totalEffort + 2
ElseIf targetFields <= 15 Then
totalEffort = totalEffort + 5
Else
totalEffort = totalEffort + 10
End If

' Logic for Transformation Complexity

Select Case transformationComplexity
Case "Low"
totalEffort = totalEffort + 2
Case "Medium"
 totalEffort = totalEffort + 5
Case "High"
totalEffort = totalEffort + 10
End Select

' Output the total effort to cell C4

Range("C4").Value = "Total Effort: " & totalEffort & " days"
End Sub

This VBA code:

o Reads input values from the cells (B1, B2, B3).

o Calculates total effort based on a predefined logic for source fields, target fields, and
transformation complexity.
o Outputs the result into cell C4.

2. Save the VBA Code:

o Once the code is written, click File > Save within the VBA editor.

Step 4: Create a Button to Run the VBA Code

1. Add a Button to Run the Calculation:

o Go back to Excel.
o Go to the Developer tab (enable it in the settings if it is not visible).
o Click Insert under the Developer tab, then select a Button (Form Control).
o Draw the button on your worksheet.

2. Assign the VBA Macro to the Button:

o After drawing the button, the Assign Macro dialog will pop up.
o Select the CalculateEffort macro (the name of the VBA function you wrote) and
click OK.

3. Label the Button:

o Right-click the button and choose Edit Text.
o Change the text to something like "Calculate Effort".

Step 5: Test the Application

1. Test the Application:

o Enter values into the Source Fields (B1), Target Fields (B2), and select a
Transformation Complexity (B3).
o Click the Calculate Effort button.

2. Verify the Output:

o The calculated effort will appear in C4 as "Total Effort: X days", where X is the
calculated value.
Step 6: Save the File as a Standalone Excel Application

1. Save the Excel File as a Macro-Enabled Workbook:

o Go to File > Save As.
o Choose a location to save the file.
o In the Save as type dropdown, choose Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook (*.xlsm).
o Name the file (e.g., EffortCalculator.xlsm) and click Save.

2. Disable Macros Prompt for a Standalone Experience:

o Go to File > Options.
o In the Trust Center, click Trust Center Settings.
o Under Macro Settings, select Enable all macros.
o This ensures the user is not prompted to enable macros each time they open the file.

Note: If you're distributing this file to others, they may need to enable macros in their Excel
settings.

Step 7: Distribute the Standalone Excel Application

1. Share the Excel Workbook:

o Your Excel file is now a standalone application.
o Distribute the EffortCalculator.xlsm file to other users. They can run the file on any
computer with Excel, without requiring any external dependencies.

Step 8: Optional Enhancements (Making the Application More User-

Friendly)

1. Add Error Handling:

o Modify the VBA code to handle invalid or missing user inputs (e.g., non-numeric
values).

vba
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If IsNumeric(Range("B1").Value) Then
sourceFields = Range("B1").Value
Else
MsgBox "Please enter a valid number for Source Fields",
vbCritical
Exit Sub
End If

2. Format the Output:

o You can use VBA to add formatting to the output (e.g., bold text or changing colors)
to make it more user-friendly.
 3. Protect the Worksheet:
o Lock certain cells (like the output cell or the cells containing formulas) to prevent
users from accidentally editing them. You can do this by right-clicking a cell, selecting
Format Cells, and going to the Protection tab.

Final Notes:

 The application now runs fully within Excel and requires no external dependencies such as
Python or third-party libraries.
 Since it’s a macro-enabled Excel workbook, ensure that users enable macros when opening
the file.

4o