How to use Application.Width in the xlwings API way

The Width property of the Application object in the Excel object model controls the overall width of the Excel application window. In xlwings, this property is accessible through the api property, which provides direct access to the underlying Excel object model. This allows you to programmatically adjust the width of the Excel window, which can be useful for creating a consistent user interface, optimizing screen space during automated tasks, or ensuring that the application window fits specific display requirements.

Syntax in xlwings:

app.api.Width

• Get: The property is read-write, so you can retrieve the current width by simply accessing it.
• Set: Assign a new numeric value (in points) to change the width. The value must be a positive number.

The width is measured in points, where one point equals 1/72 of an inch. The maximum and minimum values depend on the user’s screen resolution and system settings, but Excel typically enforces practical limits to keep the window within the visible desktop area.

Example:
Here are practical examples of using the Width property with xlwings:

1. Getting the Current Application Window Width:

import xlwings as xw
app = xw.App(visible=True) # Start Excel application
current_width = app.api.Width
print(f"The current Excel window width is {current_width} points.")
app.quit() # Close the application

This code snippet starts Excel, reads the window width, prints it, and then closes Excel.

2. Setting the Application Window Width:

import xlwings as xw
app = xw.App(visible=True)
app.api.Width = 800 # Set the width to 800 points
print("Excel window width has been set to 800 points.")
# Keep the application open for observation
input("Press Enter to close Excel...")
app.quit()

Here, the width is explicitly set to 800 points, which can help standardize the window size for presentations or automated reports.

3. Adjusting Width Based on Screen Resolution:

import xlwings as xw
import tkinter as tk
app = xw.App(visible=True)
# Use tkinter to get screen width in pixels
root = tk.Tk()
screen_width_pixels = root.winfo_screenwidth()
root.destroy()
# Convert pixels to points (assuming 96 DPI: 1 pixel = 0.75 points)
width_in_points = screen_width_pixels * 0.75
app.api.Width = width_in_points # Set to half of screen width
print(f"Excel window width set to {width_in_points:.2f} points (half of screen width).")
app.quit()

This example demonstrates dynamic width adjustment by calculating half of the screen width in points, ensuring the Excel window adapts to different monitors.

4. Combining with Height for Full Window Control:

import xlwings as xw
app = xw.App(visible=True)
app.api.Width = 600
app.api.Height = 400 # Set height as well
print("Excel window resized to 600 points wide and 400 points tall.")
app.quit()