How to use Application.UsableHeight in the xlwings API way

The Application.UsableHeight property in Excel returns the maximum height available for a window or pane, measured in points. This value represents the vertical space within the application window that can be used to display a worksheet, excluding areas occupied by toolbars, formula bars, status bars, and other interface elements. It is particularly useful when designing macros or applications that need to dynamically adjust window sizes or position elements based on the available screen real estate, ensuring optimal layout without overlapping with Excel’s UI components.

In xlwings, the UsableHeight property can be accessed through the Application object. The syntax for using this property is straightforward, as it is a read-only property that does not require any parameters. The xlwings API call format is as follows:

app.usable_height

Here, app refers to an instance of the xlwings App class, which represents the Excel application. The property returns a float value representing the usable height in points. Since it is a property, you simply retrieve it without passing arguments. This corresponds directly to the VBA property Application.UsableHeight, providing a seamless transition for users familiar with Excel’s object model.

For example, if you are developing a script that needs to resize a workbook window to occupy the maximum available vertical space, you can use UsableHeight in combination with other properties like UsableWidth. Below is a code instance demonstrating how to retrieve and utilize the UsableHeight property in xlwings:

import xlwings as xw

# Connect to the active Excel instance or start a new one
app = xw.apps.active

# Get the usable height of the application window
usable_height = app.usable_height
print(f"The usable height of the Excel window is: {usable_height} points")

# Example: Adjust the height of a specific workbook window
if app.books: # Check if there are open workbooks
    wb = app.books[0] # Get the first open workbook
    window = wb.windows[0] # Access the first window of the workbook

    # Set the window height to the usable height (optional: adjust width too)
    window.height = usable_height
    print("Window height has been adjusted to the usable height.")
else:
    print("No workbooks are currently open.")