How to Uninstall Xlrd in Python

Xlrd is a Python library for reading Excel files. Sometimes, you may need to uninstall it. This guide will show you how.

Why Uninstall Xlrd?

You might need to uninstall xlrd to resolve conflicts, update to a newer version, or switch to an alternative like openpyxl. Uninstalling is simple.

Check if Xlrd is Installed

Before uninstalling, verify if xlrd is installed. Use the pip show command.

 
pip show xlrd

Name: xlrd
Version: 2.0.1
Summary: Library for developers to extract data from Microsoft Excel files

If xlrd is installed, you will see its details. If not, you'll get a "not found" message.

Uninstall Xlrd Using Pip

Use the pip uninstall command to remove xlrd. Run this in your terminal or command prompt.

 
pip uninstall xlrd

Found existing installation: xlrd 2.0.1
Uninstalling xlrd-2.0.1:
  Would remove:
    /path/to/xlrd
Proceed (y/n)? y
Successfully uninstalled xlrd-2.0.1

Confirm the uninstallation by typing y and pressing Enter. Xlrd will be removed.

Verify Uninstallation

After uninstalling, check if xlrd is still present. Use the pip show command again.

 
pip show xlrd

WARNING: Package(s) not found: xlrd

This confirms xlrd is no longer installed. If you still see it, try reinstalling and uninstalling again.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues, try these steps:

1. Use pip3 instead of pip for Python 3.

2. Run the command as administrator or with sudo on Linux/macOS.

3. Check for multiple Python versions.

For more help, see our guide on how to uninstall openpyxl in Python.

Alternative Libraries

If you need Excel functionality, consider these alternatives:

- openpyxl: Reads and writes Excel files.

- pandas: Powerful data analysis with Excel support.

Learn how to uninstall other libraries like PyJWT or cryptography.

Conclusion

Uninstalling xlrd is straightforward with pip uninstall. Verify the removal and troubleshoot if needed. Switch to alternatives if required.

For more Python tips, check our other guides.