Stop Working So Hard: 5 Python Libraries That Do Your Job For You

If you spend more than 15 minutes a day doing repetitive tasks on a computer, you are doing it wrong.
Copying data from PDFs? Clicking through web forms? Sending the same email to 50 clients?
​Stop.
Python was built for this. You don't need to be a software engineer to use it. You just need to know which libraries to import.
​Here are the 5 Python libraries that will give you your evenings back.
​1. Pandas: The Excel Killer
​If your job involves opening massive CSV files and crashing Excel, meet your new best friend.
​What it does: Reads, filters, and analyzes data instantly.
​The Magic Line: df = pd.read_csv("huge_file.csv")
​Use Case: Merging 10 separate sales reports into one master sheet in 3 seconds.
​2. PyAutoGUI: The Mouse Mover
​Sometimes there is no API. Sometimes you just have to click buttons on a legacy desktop app.
​What it does: It controls your mouse and keyboard. It can click, type, and scroll for you.
​The Magic Line: pyautogui.click(x=100, y=200)
​Use Case: Automating data entry into a horrific 1990s ERP system that doesn't support CSV imports.
​3. Camelot (or Tabula): The PDF Rescuer
​There is a special place in hell for people who send data tables inside PDFs.
​What it does: Extracts tables from PDFs and converts them into CSVs or Excel files.
​The Magic Line: tables = camelot.read_pdf('report.pdf')
​Use Case: Turning that locked "Financial Statement.pdf" back into a usable spreadsheet.
​4. Selenium: The Web Surfer
​Need to log into a supplier portal every morning to check prices?
​What it does: Opens a browser, logs in, navigates to pages, and scrapes data.
​The Magic Line: driver.find_element(By.ID, "login-btn").click()
​Use Case: Scraping competitor prices from Amazon or automating your timesheet entry.
​5. Schedule: The Alarm Clock
​All these scripts are great, but you don't want to run them manually.
​What it does: Runs your Python functions at specific times (e.g., "Every Monday at 9:00 AM").
​The Magic Line: schedule.every().day.at("10:30").do(job)
​Use Case: Sending your "Daily Status Report" automatically while you are grabbing coffee.
​Conclusion
​Automation isn't about being lazy. It's about being efficient.
If you automate the boring stuff, you have more time for the creative work (or just leaving work on time for once).
​Hi, I'm Frank Oge. I build high-performance software and write about the tech that powers it. If you enjoyed this, check out more of my work at frankoge.com