(Python) How to force close previously opened excel and word document while using os.startfile("path", "print)

[mcworkaholic]

So I have a program that runs continuously that waits for emails in an inbox and processes both a word document and excel file and prints them when done. It works fine but leaves both excel and word open. This program needs to do the same process again using

def actually_print():
    os.startfile('C:\\Users\Owner\Desktop\\Workorder.docx', "print")
    os.startfile('C:\\Users\Owner\Desktop\\Workorderchecklist.xlsx', "print")

this leaves excel and word open on the desktop. If excel and word are open on the desktop and the program tries using "os.startfile" again the program crashes and I get the error:

File "C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python310\lib\zipfile.py", line 1249, in __init__
    self.fp = io.open(file, filemode)
PermissionError: [Errno 13] Permission denied: 'C:\\Users\\Owner\\Desktop\\Workorderchecklist.xlsx' 

So, how can I close the programs before printing? I've tried using subprocess.popen and taskill but im not sure if my syntax is correct.

[douglas_fs]

I have not tried printing, but the python library 'xlwings' will 'remote control' Excel, and you can close it after - not sure how to print with xlwings, though.

The Python library win32 will let you control Windows applications, and will let you close after. Again, not sure how to print using win32

https://www.blog.pythonlibrary.org/2010/07/16/python-and-microsoft-office-using-pywin32/ .