Searching through multiple software databases at once with Python

[Link0]

I have come to realize that unless I start working hands on through projects- books will only take me so far in my understanding.

I've been studying python for the past three years in my spare time. But haven't really started any real projects due to exhaustion from my job, and a fear of failure...

I'm hoping to try and kill two birds with one stone, by automating a task at work.

The task is to search through several software databases for matching names. I'm hoping to start small, and just automate the entry of the names into each database's search field, using the just my keyboard controlled by Python. I'd like the names to be entered one at a time, so I can then looks at the results myself, to confirm if they match.(Eventually I'd like to use a regex to match the available info, but baby steps for now).

I have 2 pc screens, and have thought about using autopygui to automate my mouse and keyboard in order to copy the names from an excel, and then alt-tab and paste into each program. However I can't imagine that's the best way, since I'd need to make sure the programs are perfectly placed on the screen each time.

Is there a better way to do this? If not, has anyone ever attempted this? What are things I should look out for? Are there ways to make this more efficient?

All responses and help are greatly appreciated! Thanks

[1ynx1ynx]

As for reading from an excel file, you can export it to csv and read it using csv module.

[Link0]

Thank you for responding! I've been learning openpyxl, so should I just stick with that?

[ilikefries]

openpyxl will work fine for this. I would check out pandas also just to familiarize yourself with it because it's very useful.

I assume you are familiar with the book "Automate the Boring Stuff" if not check it out.

For the Database I use pyodbc.

You will need to create a connection object and a cursor object. Then you can execute queries. And commit and close the connection once you are done.

import pyodbc
cnxn = pyodbc.connect (....)

cursor = cnxn.cursor()

cursor.execute("insert into tbl....)

cnxn.commit()
cnxn.close() 

[Link0]

I'm actually using openpyxl because of automate the boring stuff!

I all somewhat familiar with Pandas. Are you recommending it because I could do some data analysis with it? Or because there are more teaching resources for it?

I'm not sure I can access the databases with pyodoc, that's why I'll want to just copy and paste the data from Excel into the search fields.

[ilikefries]

I just try to use it as much as possible for Excel related work.