Problem

You run the following code to install the xlwings Python library in Databricks.

pip install xlwings
import xlwings as xw
app = xw.App(visible=False)

When you initialize, you receive the following error despite successfully installing and importing the package.

AttributeError: 'NoneType' object has no attribute 'apps'

Cause

The open-source xlwings package automates a locally installed Excel application, so is designed to work on Windows and Mac operating systems.

Databricks clusters run on Linux. On Linux, there is no Excel process to control, as a result, any attempt to use xlwings.App(), or similar functions that require Excel automation, fail. 

Solution

Consider using xlwings Server or xlwings Reader, both of which are available with the xlwings PRO version. 

 

For more information, review the xlwings Installation documentation.