Python · Intermediate level

Intermediate level · Module 5 of 6 · 20 guided hours

Automating Everyday Office Tasks with Python

Use Python to remove repetitive office work: organising files, producing Excel reports and generating standard documents.

Learning objectives

  • Automate file and folder operations
  • Read and write Excel workbooks with openpyxl
  • Generate standard text reports and schedule scripts

Topics

  • pathlib and shutil
  • openpyxl workbooks, sheets and formatting
  • templated text and report generation
  • Windows Task Scheduler / cron

Lessons

  1. Lesson 1 Organising Files and Folders Automatically

    Write scripts that rename, sort and back up files safely.

    globshutil.copy/movedry runbackup before change

  2. Lesson 2 Creating Excel Reports with openpyxl

    Generate formatted Excel workbooks from data so reports are produced in seconds instead of hours.

    Workbook/Worksheetcell formattingformulas in cellsopenpyxl charts

  3. Lesson 3 Generating Standard Documents and Scheduling Scripts

    Produce repeatable text documents (letters, summaries) from templates and run scripts automatically on a schedule.

    string.Template / f-string templatesbatch generationscheduled taskexit codes

  4. Lesson 4 Command-Line Options for Reusable Tools

    Turn one-off scripts into reusable tools with command-line options, help text and safe defaults.

    argparsecommand-line argumentflaghelp text

Practical activity

Automate a real weekly task chosen with the instructor (for example a stock report or attendance summary) end to end: input files in, formatted Excel report out, scheduled weekly.

Expected outcomes

  • A working automation that saves measurable time
  • Safe automation habits: dry runs, backups, logs

Assessment

Learner demonstrates the automation and states the time saved per week; instructor marks reliability and safety.

Taught live by an instructor — online or in person. Free course lessons are for self-study and do not lead to a certificate — see registration options.