Automate Word with Python: Master win32com for Document Manipulation

1. Hello, world!

Install the pypiwin32 package (e.g., pip install pypiwin32 ) and use Python's IDLE for interactive testing.

2. Show Word

Create a Word application object and make it visible:

<code>from win32com.client import Dispatch
app = Dispatch('Word.Application')
app.Visible = 1  # show the Word window</code>

Then add a new document:

<code>doc = app.Documents.Add()</code>

3. Input Text

Obtain the current selection (the only Selection in the document) and write text:

<code>s = app.Selection
s.Text = 'Hello, world!'</code>

The selection now contains the string "Hello, world!".

4. Inspect Selection

The Selection object represents the cursor focus or highlighted range. Its default property Text can be read or set, similar to Python's __str__ method. Calling s() is equivalent to s.Text .

5. Word Object Model Overview

Key objects:

Application : the Word application, containing menus, toolbars, documents, etc.

Document : a Word file; multiple documents can be open simultaneously.

Selection : the current cursor or highlighted range; only one can be active at a time.

Range : a continuous region defined by start and end positions, independent of the selection.

Font : font properties of a range or selection.

ParagraphFormat : paragraph formatting such as alignment, indentation, line spacing.

PageSetup : page layout settings (margins, size, grid).

Styles : collection of document styles (e.g., Normal, Heading 1).

6. Working with Selection

Common operations:

<code># Replace selected text
s.Text = 'Hello, world!'
# Insert text at the cursor
s.TypeText('Hello, world!')
# Copy, paste, delete
s.Copy()
s.Paste()
s.Delete()
# Move the cursor
s.MoveLeft()
s.MoveRight(1, 2)
# Set selection range by character indices
s.Start = 0
s.End = n</code>

7. Using Range

Obtain a range from a document or selection:

<code>r = doc.Range()
# or
r = s.Range()</code>

Ranges can be manipulated similarly to selections but can exist without affecting the visible cursor.

8. Font and ParagraphFormat

Access and modify font and paragraph settings:

<code>font = s.Font
font.Name = '仿宋'
font.Size = 16
pf = s.ParagraphFormat
pf.Alignment = 0  # left
pf.LineSpacingRule = 0  # single
pf.LeftIndent = 21
pf.RightIndent = 21</code>

9. PageSetup

Configure page margins and layout (values are in points; 1 cm ≈ 28.35 pt):

<code>cm_to_points = 28.35
ps = doc.PageSetup
ps.TopMargin = 3.3 * cm_to_points
ps.BottomMargin = 3.3 * cm_to_points
ps.LeftMargin = 2.8 * cm_to_points
ps.RightMargin = 2.6 * cm_to_points
ps.LayoutMode = 1
ps.CharsLine = 28
ps.LinesPage = 22
ps.FooterDistance = 2.8 * cm_to_points
ps.OddAndEvenPagesHeaderFooter = 0</code>

10. Styles

Modify the built‑in "Normal" style to use the required font and size:

<code>normal = doc.Styles(-1)
normal.Font.Name = '仿宋'
normal.Font.Size = 16</code>

11. Problem‑Solving Approach

When a needed feature is not obvious, record a macro in Word to view the generated VBA, consult the .NET API documentation, or explore the object browser (F2) to discover which objects expose the required properties.

12. Full Example: Formatting a Document to the National Standard

The script below sets page margins, font, line/character grid, and custom page numbers according to the official standard:

<code>from win32com.client import Dispatch
app = Dispatch('Word.Application')
app.Visible = True

doc = app.Documents.Open('path/to/your.docx')

# Page margins (cm → points)
cm_to_points = 28.35
ps = doc.PageSetup
ps.TopMargin = ps.BottomMargin = 3.3 * cm_to_points
ps.LeftMargin = 2.8 * cm_to_points
ps.RightMargin = 2.6 * cm_to_points

# Normal style font
normal = doc.Styles(-1)
for attr in ['Name', 'NameFarEast', 'NameAscii', 'NameOther']:
    setattr(normal.Font, attr, '仿宋')
normal.Font.Size = 16

# Grid settings
ps.LayoutMode = 1
ps.CharsLine = 28
ps.LinesPage = 22

# Page numbers in footer
w = doc.Windows(1)
w.View.SeekView = 4  # footer view
s = w.Selection
s.HeaderFooter.PageNumbers.StartingNumber = 1
s.HeaderFooter.PageNumbers.NumberStyle = 0
s.WholeStory()
s.Delete()
s.HeaderFooter.PageNumbers.Add(4)
s.MoveLeft(1, 2)
s.TypeText('— ')
s.MoveRight()
s.TypeText(' —')
s.Font.Name = '宋体'
s.Font.Size = 14
s.ParagraphFormat.LeftIndent = s.ParagraphFormat.RightIndent = 21

# Remove bottom border from header style
header_style = doc.Styles('页眉')
header_style.ParagraphFormat.Borders(-3).LineStyle = 0
</code>

Running this script produces a Word document that complies with the latest national formatting standard.