{
  "id": 18899930,
  "title": "Verify XLSX metadata cleanup with Python",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/verify-xlsx-metadata-cleanup-with-python",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-11-08T08:50:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dev.to",
    "slug": "dev-to",
    "url": "https://dev.to/aimetaclean/verify-xlsx-metadata-cleanup-with-python-3hl6"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the provided Python script, an XLSX file is inspected to verify the results of a cleanup process. The script reads two copies of the workbook, one original and one cleaned, and compares various elements to ensure the cleanup was successful. The script focuses on specific XML files within the XLSX package, which contain metadata and properties, such as the author, company, and custom fields. The script hashes the contents of these XML files and compares them against the original to confirm no changes were made outside of the expected property paths. If any unexpected modifications are detected, the script alerts the user, ensuring the integrity of the workbook is maintained.",
  "summary": "An XLSX cleanup report can tell you which fields it changed. For a regression check, I also want to inspect the downloaded file itself. Did the chosen author and company fields become empty or disappear? Did the sheets, formulas, and other package parts keep the same bytes? This example uses a small demo workbook with fictional names, a custom ProjectCode , a formula, and a hidden sheet. The…",
  "key_points": [
    "Python script compares original and cleaned XLSX files",
    "Inspects XML files containing metadata and properties",
    "Alerts user to any unexpected modifications in workbook"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}