How to use Application.DisplayFormulaAutoComplete in the xlwings API way

The Application.DisplayFormulaAutoComplete property in Excel VBA is a Boolean setting that controls whether Excel shows formula AutoComplete suggestions as you type in a formula within a cell. When enabled, Excel displays a dropdown list of matching function names, defined names, and table references, aiding in formula accuracy and speeding up data entry. This feature is particularly useful when building complex formulas, as it helps avoid typographical errors in function names and provides quick access to named ranges. In xlwings, this VBA property is exposed through the api object, allowing Python scripts to get or set this application-level option programmatically, enabling automation scenarios where the user experience or formula entry behavior needs to be standardized.

Syntax in xlwings:
The property is accessed via the Application object from the xlwings api. Since it is a property, it can be both read and assigned.

• To get the current setting:

current_setting = xw.apps[0].api.DisplayFormulaAutoComplete

This returns True if AutoComplete for formulas is turned on, or False if it is off.

• To set the property:

xw.apps[0].api.DisplayFormulaAutoComplete = True # or False

The property does not accept parameters; it is a simple Boolean flag. It applies to the entire Excel application instance, affecting all open workbooks. In xlwings, xw.apps[0] refers to the first Excel application instance. If multiple instances are open, you may need to adjust the index or use xw.apps.active to target the correct one.

Code Examples:

1. Checking the Current Status:
   This example retrieves the current DisplayFormulaAutoComplete setting and prints it, which is useful for logging or conditional logic in automation scripts.

import xlwings as xw
# Ensure Excel is running and connected
app = xw.apps.active
auto_complete_status = app.api.DisplayFormulaAutoComplete
print(f"Formula AutoComplete is currently: {'ON' if auto_complete_status else 'OFF'}")

2. Enabling Formula AutoComplete:
   Before performing tasks that involve heavy formula entry, you might want to ensure AutoComplete is enabled for user convenience. This script turns it on if it is off.

import xlwings as xw
app = xw.apps.active
if not app.api.DisplayFormulaAutoComplete:
    app.api.DisplayFormulaAutoComplete = True
    print("Formula AutoComplete has been enabled.")
else:
    print("Formula AutoComplete was already enabled.")

3. Temporarily Disabling for Performance:
   In scenarios where a macro or script is entering many formulas programmatically and you want to minimize screen refreshes or potential distractions, disabling AutoComplete can be beneficial. Remember to restore the original setting afterward.

import xlwings as xw
app = xw.apps.active
# Store original setting
original_setting = app.api.DisplayFormulaAutoComplete
# Disable for the operation
app.api.DisplayFormulaAutoComplete = False
# ... Perform your formula insertion tasks here ...
# Restore the original setting
app.api.DisplayFormulaAutoComplete = original_setting
print(f"Restored AutoComplete to: {original_setting}")