xlrdvsxlwings
How 10 AI models weigh xlrd against xlwings on the 1 buying question where both came up.
- xlrd
- 98%of answers named it
- xlwings
- 98%of answers named it
- Placed higher
- 22–18times xlrd vs xlwings, over 40 model rankings that listed either
- Models leaning
- 5–5toward xlrd vs xlwings
Which models prefer which
Share of each model's answers that named each product, and how often its ranking put one above the other (a product listed beats one left off) · On the 1 shared question, every wording
| Model | xlrd | xlwings | Placed higher | Leans |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claude Haiku 5.5 | 100% | 100% | 4–0 | xlrd |
| GPT-6 Luna | 88% | 100% | 1–3 | xlwings |
| Gemini 4 Argon | 100% | 100% | 0–4 | xlwings |
| Qwen 3.8 Flash | 88% | 88% | 1–3 | xlwings |
| DeepSeek V4 Pro | 100% | 100% | 1–3 | xlwings |
| GLM-5.3 | 100% | 100% | 1–3 | xlwings |
| Kimi K3 | 100% | 100% | 3–1 | xlrd |
| MiniMax M3 | 100% | 100% | 4–0 | xlrd |
| Mistral Large 4 | 100% | 100% | 4–0 | xlrd |
| Nemotron 3 Ultra | 100% | 88% | 3–1 | xlrd |
What the models say about xlrd
One reason per model, from the shared questions
- Claude Haiku 5.5
Classic reader for legacy xls files; reading xlsx support was removed.
- GPT-6 Luna
A lightweight reader for older .xls files; limited to reading.
- Gemini 4 Argon
The reliable standard for extracting data from legacy xls spreadsheets.
- Qwen 3.8 Flash
Classic reader, still needed for legacy .xls files.
- DeepSeek V4 Pro
Classic .xls reader; still essential for legacy Excel 97-2003 files.
- GLM-5.3
Handles legacy xls files well.
- Kimi K3
Still the go-to for legacy .xls files, read-only but reliable.
- MiniMax M3
Classic reader for legacy .xls files, still widely used.
- Mistral Large 4
Still useful for reading legacy .xls files, though .xlsx support was removed.
- Nemotron 3 Ultra
Classic for reading legacy .xls files only
What the models say about xlwings
One reason per model, from the shared questions
- Claude Haiku 5.5
Drives the live Excel application, ideal for interactive workbook automation on Windows and macOS.
- GPT-6 Luna
Strong Excel automation and editing when you need the actual desktop application.
- Gemini 4 Argon
Best for automating live Excel instances, executing VBA macros, and building custom add-ins.
- Qwen 3.8 Flash
Drives live Excel app for full read/edit automation.
- DeepSeek V4 Pro
Best for automating Excel itself; uses COM on Windows, preserves macros and VBA.
- GLM-5.3
Convenient, keeps formatting intact for in-place edits.
- Kimi K3
Automates real Excel, enabling macros, formulas, and live workbook interaction.
- MiniMax M3
Automates real Excel via COM, great for macros and VBA bridges.
- Mistral Large 4
Powerful for controlling Excel via Python on Windows and Mac with VBA integration.
- Nemotron 3 Ultra
Top choice for Excel automation via Python
Tracked since October 25, 2026. Each time the panel answers these questions again, both shares are added here.
Question by question
Share of all answers that named each, every wording pooled, with its place among every product named · Both-named questions first
| Question | xlrd | xlwings |
|---|---|---|
| Best Python libraries for reading and editing Excel files | 98% #4 | 98% #4 |
| Best Python libraries for PowerPoint files | · | 4% #33 |