Call Python from MATLAB

Directly call Python^® functionality from MATLAB^®

You can access Python libraries directly from MATLAB by adding the py. prefix to the Python name. See Access Python Modules from MATLAB. For example:

py.list({'This','is a','list'})      % Call built-in function list
py.textwrap.wrap('This is a string') % Call wrap function in module textwrap

You can execute Python statements in the Python interpreter directly from MATLAB using the pyrun or pyrunfile functions. For example:

pyrun("l = ['A','new','list']")  % Call list in Python interpreter

For more information, see Directly Call Python Functionality from MATLAB.

If instead you want to call MATLAB functions from Python applications, see Call MATLAB from Python for more information.

Functions

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Environment

`pyenv`	Change default environment of Python interpreter
`PythonEnvironment`	Python environment information
`terminate`	Terminate process associated with Python interpreter

Run Python Code

`pyrun`	Run Python statements from MATLAB (Since R2021b)
`pyrunfile`	Run Python script file from MATLAB (Since R2021b)
`pyargs`	Create keyword arguments for Python function
`pystringarray`	Convert MATLAB string array to Python NumPy string array (Since R2026a)

Exception Handling

matlab.exception.PyException Capture error information for Python exception

Live Editor Tasks

Run Python Code

Run Python statements or script files in the Live Editor (Since R2024a)

Topics

Use Python Environments in MATLAB

Manage Python Environments Using External Languages Panel
You can use the Python view in the External Languages panel to configure and maintain your Python environments directly from MATLAB.

Use Python Libraries in MATLAB

Access Python Modules from MATLAB
Create and use a Python object in MATLAB.
Configure Your System to Use Python
Verify that you have installed a supported version of Python.
Call User-Defined Python Module
Create a Python module used by examples in this documentation.
Understand Python Function Arguments
Python method syntax differs from MATLAB method syntax.
Advanced Topics
Learn about code pattern differences between MATLAB and Python.
Out-of-Process Execution of Python Functionality
Execute Python scripts in processes that are separate from the MATLAB process.
Reload Out-of-Process Python Interpreter
Reload out-of-process Python interpreter without restarting MATLAB.

Run Python Code from MATLAB

Directly Call Python Functionality from MATLAB
Call functionality from Python libraries or execute Python statements directly from MATLAB.

Passing Data

Pass Data Between MATLAB and Python from MATLAB
The Python interface converts MATLAB data into compatible Python data types.
Access Elements in Python Container Types
A Python container is typically a sequence type (list or tuple) or a mapping type (dict).
Use Python Datetime Types in MATLAB
MATLAB supports conversions between MATLAB datetime values and Python datetime or NumPy datetime64 values.
Use Python Duration Types in MATLAB
MATLAB supports conversions between MATLAB duration values and Python timedelta or NumPy timedelta64 values.
Pass Python Function to Python map Function
This example shows how to display the length of each word in a list.