read_excel_file_2.py

import xlrd


def open_file(path):
    """
    Open and read an Excel file
    """
    book = xlrd.open_workbook(path)

    # print number of sheets
    print(book.nsheets)

    # print sheet names
    print(book.sheet_names())

    # get the first worksheet
    first_sheet = book.sheet_by_index(0)

    # read a row
    print(first_sheet.row_values(2))

    # read a cell
    cell = first_sheet.cell(0, 0)
    print(cell),
    print(cell.value),

    # read a row slice
    print(first_sheet.row_slice(rowx=1, start_colx=0, end_colx=2))


if __name__ == "__main__":
    path = "Book1.xls"
    open_file(path)

# thanks to: www.blog.pythonlibrary.org