How to Run a Batch File from Python

In this short guide, you’ll see the steps to run a batch file from Python.

To start, here is a simple template that you can use to run a batch file directly from Python:

import subprocess

subprocess.run([r"path where the batch file is stored\file_name.bat"])

Steps to Run a Batch File from Python

To start, create your batch file.

For demonstration purposes, let’s create a simple batch file that displays the date in green.

You may then open Notepad and paste the script below:

@echo off
color a & date
pause

To create the batch file, save the Notepad with a .bat extension. For example, let’s save the batch file as current_date.bat

A new batch file, called current_date.bat, would be saved at your specified location.

Here is a template that you can use to run a batch file from Python:

import subprocess

subprocess.run([r"path where the batch file is stored\file_name.bat"])

For our example, let’s suppose that the batch file is stored in:

C:\Users\Ron\Desktop\Test\current_date.bat

Where the name of the batch file is “current_date” and the file extension is “.bat”

Here is the complete code to run the batch file from Python for our example:

import subprocess

subprocess.run([r"C:\Users\Ron\Desktop\Test\current_date.bat"])

Note that you’ll need to modify the Python code to reflect the location where the batch file is stored on your computer.

Finally, run the Python code, and you’ll get the current date in green:

'The current date is: Sat 03/23/2024'

Alternatively, you may check the following guide that explains how to create a batch file to run a Python script.