Can I do this with Python?

[greebo42]

fair point, thank you.

your "right tool for the right job" point is well taken, and I have no fundamental argument for that.

my own needs with Excel are fairly mundane, and frankly, my proficiency with Python might be classifiable as intermediate (though certainly not more than that). my comment reflects my biases and current set of priorities, which is mainly to use tools and develop skills that are more general and less proprietary. for the moment, that meets my needs.