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LibrePythonista allows running IPython code in a LibreOffice spreadsheet

128 points by buovjaga 2y ago

buovjaga 2y ago
Built extension available here: https://extensions.libreoffice.org/en/extensions/show/99231 https://extensions.libreoffice.org/en/extensions/show/99231
- mdaniel 2y ago
  I know this comment is a lot of words, and may feel critical, but I assure you I mean them in the spirit of "for your consideration" and want to start off by saying thank you for sharing such a cool toy with the world under a permissive license. Great job, and thank you! I was trying to find out which version of python it offered, and while digging into that I found surprising references to win32 binaries in the pyproject <https://github.com/Amourspirit/python_libre_pythonista_ext/blob/26a2421e4b564193d15f8b189e0cf4bc3701f064/pyproject.toml#L116-L121 https://github.com/Amourspirit/python_libre_pythonista_ext/b...> although the extensions page says it's for all 3 major OSes. Related to that permalink, please do consider creating a formal tag that represents the code that went into the 0.1.1 binary you linked to. It'll greatly help those trying to track down bugs if they don't have to $(git bisect) in order to find out which sha created the extension they're using Kind of related to that, future you (and folks who clone your repo) are going to be sad if you keep putting the release artifacts in git, since it will make your repo grow without bound. If you want to make the .oxt available to folks outside of the libreoffice.org URL, that's another fine reason to create a tag since GitHub will cheerfully hold on to the .oxt with a permalink forever, but outside of your repo. It'll also motivate you, or a contributor, to create a GitHub Action showing how normal people could possibly build the release artifact for themselves
  - buovjaga 2y ago
    Ok, can you report that to the developer: https://github.com/Amourspirit/python_libre_pythonista_ext/issues https://github.com/Amourspirit/python_libre_pythonista_ext/i... I'm not affiliated with this project.
WillAdams 2y ago
Why not just use pyspread? https://pyspread.gitlab.io/ https://pyspread.gitlab.io/
- jsyang00 2y ago
  because they want the sheet in LibreOffice?
morkalork 2y ago
I feel like if you're asking how to shove Python into a spreadsheet app, you've made a mistake somewhere in your process and should reconsider everything.
- josenyc 2y ago
  Walk us through your hypothesis. People solve problems in various ways, and workflows can change. Having more options can be useful and lead to new solutions.
  - add-sub-mul-div 2y ago
    Unfortunately, main character syndrome can't be cured with talk therapy.
    - morkalork 2y ago
      Do you even know what that is or do you just parrot insults you've seen others use?
      - SoftMachine 2y ago
        I feel like you've made a mistake somewhere in your process and should reconsider everything.
- dang 2y ago
  "Please don't post shallow dismissals, especially of other people's work. A good critical comment teaches us something." https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html
- mardifoufs 2y ago
  What do you mean? How is it worse than spreadsheet specific languages, like VBA or even in-cell formulas in say, Excel?
- kbrkbr 2y ago
norxornor 2y ago
[dead]
jordigh 2y ago
If Python in a spreadsheet is what you want, you might like Grist: https://www.getgrist.com/ https://www.getgrist.com/ Disclaimer: I work there. I'm trying to make it easier to self-host. Send me github issues or pull requests if you have ways of making it better. :)
- deleted 2y ago
  [deleted]
- abdullahkhalids 2y ago
  I have been meaning to use Grist for an educational org I volunteer for - mainly to manage student data. We would definitely self-host, and it is great that there is already a Class Enrollment template. Your self-hosting docs [1] seem pretty straightforward. However, * I am annoyed that the the app requires providing inputs through command line args or environment variables rather than a fixed config file that I can store in git. * Some directions on creating a service that starts the app on server restart etc would be good. [1] https://support.getgrist.com/self-managed/ https://support.getgrist.com/self-managed/
  - jordigh 2y ago
    Thank you. I've been struggling with a good story for configuration. I'm not entirely satisfied either with using environment variables for everything. Using Docker, you can just put your env-vars in a file and execute Docker with --env-file specifying where your configuration is, which is what I currently do, but perhaps a .env file would be more standard and comfortable.
    - abdullahkhalids 2y ago
      Let me put it this way. Your app has wide possible usage, including a lot of casual usages, by relatively non-technical users. Like small businesses or clubs etc, as your templates show. Spreadsheets run the world, and grist is turbo spreadsheets. If you want those people to use your software, you should make it as easy as possible to install it. Think of a tech-minded teenager helping their dad set up grist to track inventory for their corner store. How can you help them install the software in a couple of hours?
2Gkashmiri 2y ago
shouldn't this functionality be included in the base libreoffice itself? so... just asking, how much efforts would it take to integrate it fully into the code as opposed to an extension? that way more people would use this feature and more people would help improving the code. good job. need more work done like yours in libreoffice.
- buovjaga 2y ago
  Yes, some LibreOffice developers commenting on this agree with you. We also have existing proposals like "Ship Python package manager (PIP) with LibreOffice internal Python" https://bugs.documentfoundation.org/show_bug.cgi?id=162786 https://bugs.documentfoundation.org/show_bug.cgi?id=162786
fn-mote 2y ago
This project has the most incredible, strikingly artistic icon I have ever seen. It’s worth a visit to their landing page just to see it. I don’t need the functionality, but wow. Edit: I really hope the art wasn’t made by an “AI”… but if it was they just passed my Turing test.
- progfix 2y ago
  The design looks very much AI generated.
- BlackLotus89 2y ago
  It's AI. Have no background information you don't have I think I'm just good at spotting it. Scales are intricate and seem correct yet the gears are irregular and often not gear shaped, assymetrical etc. Some things look nonsensical and functionless. The circle around has has imperfections and the resolution of the image is too low.
  - WillAdams 2y ago
    Artists are all-too often terrible about drawing gears/mechanical things. EDIT: That said, I agree it's likely AI --- the odd mis-matches of scale size, and the lack of interest in how the background elements interact are what I would view as signs of AI generation. That said, I'd be curious about which tool was used to make the file, and what the prompt was --- I really wish that there was a way to embed that persistently in the underlying file so that it could then be revealed --- or, a regulation that all AI-generated images be uploaded to a central repository where, when image search reveals them, the specifics of their creation are made known.
- keyshapegeo99 2y ago
  The inconsistent teeth on the gears give it away. I'd wager a lot that it's AI generated
- punnerud 2y ago
  Definitely AI, almost all of the gears does not work. A real artist already putting this much effort into it, would never make this mistake
IgorPartola 2y ago
This is off topic but I feel like Pythonista should have been called Parseltongue. Total missed opportunity.
cadsax 2y ago
Hi
2Gkashmiri 2y ago
Second thing now, does this make livreoffice now compatible with excel Python embedded files ?
- buovjaga 2y ago
  Not until someone implements the handling of such in XLSX import. Excel needs a cloud connection to run Python and there are apparently some homegrown functions like xl(), so it probably would not be straightforward: https://www.solvermax.com/blog/python-embedded-in-excel-first-impressions https://www.solvermax.com/blog/python-embedded-in-excel-firs...
  - 2Gkashmiri 2y ago
    Why in gods green earth would you want a cloud connection to run a Python script on your computer when you canr run python locally since day 1 of Python ? So these files wont run if you are offline ?
    - buovjaga 2y ago
      Maybe Microsoft thinks it's a good solution to security concerns, if the code is run in their sandbox.
kkfx 2y ago
Hum, I'm curious why then using a spreadsheet at all... Why not direct Python or R, since in essentially all cases are far simpler and better...

128 points by buovjaga 2y ago

Built extension available here: https://extensions.libreoffice.org/en/extensions/show/99231 https://extensions.libreoffice.org/en/extensions/show/99231

mdaniel 2y ago
I know this comment is a lot of words, and may feel critical, but I assure you I mean them in the spirit of "for your consideration" and want to start off by saying thank you for sharing such a cool toy with the world under a permissive license. Great job, and thank you! I was trying to find out which version of python it offered, and while digging into that I found surprising references to win32 binaries in the pyproject <https://github.com/Amourspirit/python_libre_pythonista_ext/blob/26a2421e4b564193d15f8b189e0cf4bc3701f064/pyproject.toml#L116-L121 https://github.com/Amourspirit/python_libre_pythonista_ext/b...> although the extensions page says it's for all 3 major OSes. Related to that permalink, please do consider creating a formal tag that represents the code that went into the 0.1.1 binary you linked to. It'll greatly help those trying to track down bugs if they don't have to $(git bisect) in order to find out which sha created the extension they're using Kind of related to that, future you (and folks who clone your repo) are going to be sad if you keep putting the release artifacts in git, since it will make your repo grow without bound. If you want to make the .oxt available to folks outside of the libreoffice.org URL, that's another fine reason to create a tag since GitHub will cheerfully hold on to the .oxt with a permalink forever, but outside of your repo. It'll also motivate you, or a contributor, to create a GitHub Action showing how normal people could possibly build the release artifact for themselves
- buovjaga 2y ago
  Ok, can you report that to the developer: https://github.com/Amourspirit/python_libre_pythonista_ext/issues https://github.com/Amourspirit/python_libre_pythonista_ext/i... I'm not affiliated with this project.

WillAdams 2y ago

Why not just use pyspread? https://pyspread.gitlab.io/ https://pyspread.gitlab.io/

jsyang00 2y ago
because they want the sheet in LibreOffice?

morkalork 2y ago

I feel like if you're asking how to shove Python into a spreadsheet app, you've made a mistake somewhere in your process and should reconsider everything.

josenyc 2y ago
Walk us through your hypothesis. People solve problems in various ways, and workflows can change. Having more options can be useful and lead to new solutions.
- add-sub-mul-div 2y ago
  Unfortunately, main character syndrome can't be cured with talk therapy.
  - morkalork 2y ago
    Do you even know what that is or do you just parrot insults you've seen others use?
    - SoftMachine 2y ago
      I feel like you've made a mistake somewhere in your process and should reconsider everything.
dang 2y ago
"Please don't post shallow dismissals, especially of other people's work. A good critical comment teaches us something." https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html
mardifoufs 2y ago
What do you mean? How is it worse than spreadsheet specific languages, like VBA or even in-cell formulas in say, Excel?
kbrkbr 2y ago

norxornor 2y ago

[dead]

jordigh 2y ago

If Python in a spreadsheet is what you want, you might like Grist: https://www.getgrist.com/ https://www.getgrist.com/ Disclaimer: I work there. I'm trying to make it easier to self-host. Send me github issues or pull requests if you have ways of making it better. :)

deleted 2y ago
[deleted]
abdullahkhalids 2y ago
I have been meaning to use Grist for an educational org I volunteer for - mainly to manage student data. We would definitely self-host, and it is great that there is already a Class Enrollment template. Your self-hosting docs [1] seem pretty straightforward. However, * I am annoyed that the the app requires providing inputs through command line args or environment variables rather than a fixed config file that I can store in git. * Some directions on creating a service that starts the app on server restart etc would be good. [1] https://support.getgrist.com/self-managed/ https://support.getgrist.com/self-managed/
- jordigh 2y ago
  Thank you. I've been struggling with a good story for configuration. I'm not entirely satisfied either with using environment variables for everything. Using Docker, you can just put your env-vars in a file and execute Docker with --env-file specifying where your configuration is, which is what I currently do, but perhaps a .env file would be more standard and comfortable.
  - abdullahkhalids 2y ago
    Let me put it this way. Your app has wide possible usage, including a lot of casual usages, by relatively non-technical users. Like small businesses or clubs etc, as your templates show. Spreadsheets run the world, and grist is turbo spreadsheets. If you want those people to use your software, you should make it as easy as possible to install it. Think of a tech-minded teenager helping their dad set up grist to track inventory for their corner store. How can you help them install the software in a couple of hours?

2Gkashmiri 2y ago

shouldn't this functionality be included in the base libreoffice itself? so... just asking, how much efforts would it take to integrate it fully into the code as opposed to an extension? that way more people would use this feature and more people would help improving the code. good job. need more work done like yours in libreoffice.

buovjaga 2y ago
Yes, some LibreOffice developers commenting on this agree with you. We also have existing proposals like "Ship Python package manager (PIP) with LibreOffice internal Python" https://bugs.documentfoundation.org/show_bug.cgi?id=162786 https://bugs.documentfoundation.org/show_bug.cgi?id=162786

fn-mote 2y ago

This project has the most incredible, strikingly artistic icon I have ever seen. It’s worth a visit to their landing page just to see it. I don’t need the functionality, but wow. Edit: I really hope the art wasn’t made by an “AI”… but if it was they just passed my Turing test.

progfix 2y ago
The design looks very much AI generated.
BlackLotus89 2y ago
It's AI. Have no background information you don't have I think I'm just good at spotting it. Scales are intricate and seem correct yet the gears are irregular and often not gear shaped, assymetrical etc. Some things look nonsensical and functionless. The circle around has has imperfections and the resolution of the image is too low.
- WillAdams 2y ago
  Artists are all-too often terrible about drawing gears/mechanical things. EDIT: That said, I agree it's likely AI --- the odd mis-matches of scale size, and the lack of interest in how the background elements interact are what I would view as signs of AI generation. That said, I'd be curious about which tool was used to make the file, and what the prompt was --- I really wish that there was a way to embed that persistently in the underlying file so that it could then be revealed --- or, a regulation that all AI-generated images be uploaded to a central repository where, when image search reveals them, the specifics of their creation are made known.
keyshapegeo99 2y ago
The inconsistent teeth on the gears give it away. I'd wager a lot that it's AI generated
punnerud 2y ago
Definitely AI, almost all of the gears does not work. A real artist already putting this much effort into it, would never make this mistake

IgorPartola 2y ago

This is off topic but I feel like Pythonista should have been called Parseltongue. Total missed opportunity.

cadsax 2y ago

2Gkashmiri 2y ago

Second thing now, does this make livreoffice now compatible with excel Python embedded files ?

buovjaga 2y ago
Not until someone implements the handling of such in XLSX import. Excel needs a cloud connection to run Python and there are apparently some homegrown functions like xl(), so it probably would not be straightforward: https://www.solvermax.com/blog/python-embedded-in-excel-first-impressions https://www.solvermax.com/blog/python-embedded-in-excel-firs...
- 2Gkashmiri 2y ago
  Why in gods green earth would you want a cloud connection to run a Python script on your computer when you canr run python locally since day 1 of Python ? So these files wont run if you are offline ?
  - buovjaga 2y ago
    Maybe Microsoft thinks it's a good solution to security concerns, if the code is run in their sandbox.

kkfx 2y ago

Hum, I'm curious why then using a spreadsheet at all... Why not direct Python or R, since in essentially all cases are far simpler and better...