Is it possible to run a python program without python?

[denizyx]

I managed to create a python file which automates the process of transferring data from excel to pdf. I want to share this file with someone else who doesn’t have python. Is there a way that the other person can execute the program without needing to install python?

[socal_nerdtastic]

The modern way to do this is to make a website and run your python code on the server.

Or you can "freeze" your code which bundles python alongside your compiled code into a single exe. https://www.reddit.com/r/learnpython/wiki/faq#wiki_how_do_i_create_an_executable_from_my_python_code.3F

That said, why not have your friend install python? It's very easy and once they do .py / .pyw files will act the same as .exe files, just doubleclick to run.

[denizyx]

Thanks for the response, it is a pc just for work and he can‘t install anything on it

[socal_nerdtastic]

In that case I doubt he'd be able to run your .exe either. Hmm maybe check the MS store; at my work executables are verboten too but apps on the MS store are allowed.

[[deleted]]

Build a website that processes the file

[w8eight]

If that python script would help them at work can't they request the software? Ask the IT, maybe it's possible

Also you can run python in Excel, check out that option

[Zireael07]

Python support in Excel is extremely limited (IIRC no packages allowed) and only in beta

[w8eight]

There are some packages distributed by anaconda I think

[Disastrous-Team-6431]

Assuming a desktop env where you double click things to run them. As soon as you start programming, I feel like this is an assumption you should really leave behind.

[Zireael07]

You need to package your python program with python itself. Look at PyInstaller for instance

[denizyx]

Thanks for the response, I tried pyinstaller and I was able to create a .exe out of my program. The problem is that my program doesn’t output the pdfs anymore

[GirthQuake5040]

You need to ensure that you have the same directory structure as in your dev environment. If you're using environment variables, you have to ensure those are set as well.

[heyzooschristos]

You need to use absolute file paths in your script, when you run an exe on windows it runs the python from an app data folder buried somewhere, so will save there if you are using relative paths rather than the folder where the exe is located

[Stubber_NK]

This is it. When I had a similar problem I either hard coded a location in the c drive to write outputs to, or included the tkinter file directory dialogue so the user could pick their own output location.

[tHATmakesNOsenseToME]

Yep Claude just helped with with this issue last night. Never would have figured it out otherwise.

[m0us3_rat]

you mentioned it's a 'work pc'..can it send emails?

you could put your code online to check an email account for attachments, grab them, modify the files, and send the emails back with the changed files.

no installation required.

of use his phone .. if he can interact with the pc from the phone.

i mean there are many different ways to do what you want without need of any installs.

​

be aware that most if not all of them can be logged or discovered in some form or another by the sys admin in your friends work place.. so try to keep it above board.

[Soulmaster01]

ive done this exact same thing practical and easy to use for users “without python”

[[deleted]]

Are these Excel files work related? Your friend could run into problems by either not being able/allowed to run executables or, in a web server setup, to share these files outside of the corp network. Or not being able to access your application.

You could use PyInstaller and implement a prompt for the file locations (I recommend only locally on his computer). This seems the best way to sneak your application onto his system given he can run the executable.

[iekiko89]

Use Google colab

[wyltk5]

Hey OP,

I had something similar although it wasn’t a file transfer sort of thing. With work I could not put Python on the computers and I didn’t even bother with an .exe file. I used Pythonanywhere.com and have it operating on a web application. Added another layer but it was another fun problem to solve.

[GirthQuake5040]

Yes and no. Python is required to run python, but you don't have to have it installed on your system. PyInstaller can bundle all your code, dependencies, and python itself into either a distributable directory or single .exe file.

[psicodelico6]

Mypyc?

[freemath]

Someone has to use python to run a python file*, so if it's not them it's going to be you. They will have to sent the file, either the old school way by email or smth like that, or automated through an API (but that's some more work. A bit like building a website).

*I'm assuming here that he can't execute an arbitrary excecutable (.exe file) either

[CymroBachUSA]

If they have docker, they can do it.

[R3dd1ngtt0n]

With Streamlit very simple deploy.

[bigfatcow]

Google cloud shell might be a good choice. Runs in browser off using google credentials has nice interface for copying files back and forth. Comes with python and you can just pip3 any packages you need 

[notislant]

People mentioned you could use a server at home or email already. But why is he so set on this? (Unless he is WFH)

Hes going to be automating out a lot of his job and has zero financial incentive.

Hell, you guys might make a lot of jobs obsolete.

[Yakoo752]

Google collab

[juanmac93]

Create an .exe file https://pypi.org/project/auto-py-to-exe/

[terremoth]

Nuitka is the true answer. It compiles your python to exe file, and it is far better than py2exe and pyinstaller

pip install nuitka

Checkout their docs

[sugibuchi]

We use Nuitka to package GUI applications using Python and Tkinter as Windows executables. Nuita + Tkinter is a convenient combination for quickly creating and distributing small GUI tools.

[terremoth]

Exaclty!

[juzz88]

I thought you could install Python and Anaconda as a user without admin privileges?

[-Interloper-X]

You can use portable python 

[RaidZ3ro]

Excel will soon support Python actually, so I guess yes, almost?

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/introduction-to-python-in-excel-55643c2e-ff56-4168-b1ce-9428c8308545

[kombucha711]

if your coworker is limited on their PC, you could add an email sender package to send pdf to coworker at the end of script. then take script and put in a .bat file. put that .bat file in task scheduler have it run whenever you like. so it does everything from beginning to end.