title: apache poi vs python xlrd
body: <p>I was going to use apache poi or python xlrd on linux to read spreadsheets in a program on linux. I am biased towards python xlrd but apache poi seems like a more complete project to me (probably since its supported by the apache foundation). What would be a better choice (I am biased towards python but still..) ? I would like to be able to read most of the versions of excel and read macros.</p>