1

I have a python list as such:

[['a','b','c'],['d','e','f'],['g','h','i']]

I am trying to get it into a csv format so I can load it into excel:

a,b,c
d,e,f
g,h,i

Using this, I am trying to write the arary to a csv file:

with open('tables.csv','w') as f:
    f.write(each_table)

However, it prints out this:

[
[
'
a
'
,
...
...

So then I tried putting it into an array (again) and then printing it.

each_table_array=[each_table]
with open('tables.csv','w') as f:
        f.write(each_table_array)

Now when I open up the csv file, its a bunch of unknown characters, and when I load it into excel, I get a character for every cell.

Not too sure if it's me using the csv library wrong, or the array portion.

I just figured out that the table I am pulling data from has another table within one of its cells, this expands out and messes up the whole formatting

Improve this question
4
  • What you mean by table? where you have that nested list? Commented Apr 29, 2015 at 14:42
  • Or rather its a python list, ill edit it Commented Apr 29, 2015 at 14:43
  • What about iterating through the list and writing every char + a comma? Commented Apr 29, 2015 at 14:43
  • well, this is just an example.. not all the entires are one character long Commented Apr 29, 2015 at 15:46

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
3

You need to use the csv library for your job:

import csv
each_table = [['a','b','c'],['d','e','f'],['g','h','i']]
with open('tables.csv', 'w') as csvfile:
    writer = csv.writer(csvfile)
    for row in each_table:
        writer.writerow(row)
Improve this answer
Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

5 Comments

this still prints out every character on every line
I think the writerow prints it all out on every line for some reason
@user2883071, which python version are you using? I slightly updated the snippet above for a more complete example, and my tables.csv file has 3 lines, each line with 3 characters as expected. I tried it on both python 2.7 and 3.4.
You can do writerows and save a line.
zzz I just figured out that the table I am pulling data from has another table within one of its cells, this expands out and messes up the whole formatting. Also the table I am pulling from has hyperlinks, and these show up as duplicate cells
2

As a more flexible and pythonic way use csv module for dealing with csv files Note that as you are in python 2 you need the method newline='' * in your open function . then you can use csv.writer to open you csv file for write:

import csv
with open('file_name.csv', 'w',newline='') as csvfile:
    spamwriter = csv.writer(csvfile, delimiter=',')
    spamwriter.writerows(main_list)

From python wiki: If newline='' is not specified, newlines embedded inside quoted fields will not be interpreted correctly, and on platforms that use \r\n linendings on write an extra \r will be added. It should always be safe to specify newline='', since the csv module does its own (universal) newline handling.

Improve this answer

5 Comments

When I use this method, the wb throws an error: TypeError: 'str' doe snot support the buffer interface
@user2883071 Sorry i missed that you are in python3 , you need w
@DSM I just do that :)
You can do writerows and save a line.
zzz I just figured out that the table I am pulling data from has another table within one of its cells, this expands out and messes up the whole formatting. Also the table I am pulling from has hyperlinks, and these show up as duplicate cells

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Start asking to get answers

Find the answer to your question by asking.

Ask question

Explore related questions

See similar questions with these tags.