---
name: "fastexcel-python-polars-reader"
description: "Load Excel workbooks directly into Polars and Arrow DataFrames at maximum speed."
metadata:
  author: "mabel-dev"
  version: "1.0.0"
  runtime_compatibility:
    - "codex"
    - "claude-code"
    - "cursor"
    - "windsurf"
triggers:
  - "read excel with polars fastexcel"
  - "fastest way to read excel python"
  - "convert excel to arrow table"
permissions:
  fs_read: true
  fs_write: "workspace"
  shell_exec: false
  net_access: false
---

# fastexcel Rust-Powered Python Excel Reader

Combines Rust Calamine engine with Python Polars using fastexcel, reading Excel sheets up to 10x faster than openpyxl directly into Arrow columnar memory.

## When to Invoke
Invoke this skill whenever you need to:
- read excel with polars fastexcel
- fastest way to read excel python
- convert excel to arrow table

## Execution SOP & Rules
1. Load sheets using fastexcel.read_excel(path).load_sheet("Data").to_polars().
2. Use column type overrides when loading sheets with mixed data types to prevent casting errors.
3. Process multiple sheets concurrently using Python multiprocessing or thread pools.
4. Write output directly to Parquet files for compact, high-speed storage.

## Verification Checklist
- Run local linting, syntax validation, and type-checks before reporting completion.
- Ensure all created or modified files adhere to workspace boundaries and avoid uncommitted secrets.
- Verify tests or build commands exit cleanly with return code 0.