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I downloaded http://pytools.codeplex.com/ (Python Tools for Visual Studio) so that I could write Python in Visual Studio.

The problem is when I try to use the most basic package "numpy" like so:

import numpy

It says "No module named 'numpy'."

How can I use NumPy and SciPy in Visual Studio?

Note: I am using Canopy Express on another machine which works perfectly; however, I don't want to install it on this machine since I already have Visual Studio installed.

I added the Python 3.3 environment to my Python "solution" by right-clicking Python environments and clicking add an environment. But, after right-clicking my environment and clicking install Python package, I typed in "numpy" and got this error when trying to install it:

...
creating build
creating build\src.win32-3.3
creating build\src.win32-3.3\numpy
creating build\src.win32-3.3\numpy\distutils
building library "npymath" sources
No module named 'numpy.distutils.msvccompiler' in numpy.distutils; trying from distutils
error: Unable to find vcvarsall.bat
----------------------------------------
Cleaning up...
Command python setup.py egg_info failed with error code 1 in c:\users\dom\appdata\local\temp\pip_build_Dom\numpy
Storing complete log in C:\Users\Dom\pip\pip.log
'numpy' failed to install. Exit code: 1

How can I install NumPy?

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  • 2
    Did you install numpy? It's not "the most basic package" since it's not in the standard library. Commented Nov 24, 2013 at 21:04
  • I was hoping there would be a way to install dependencies via python or through the IDE (Visual Studio, in this case). Must I do it myself, manually? Disclaimer: I'm very new to python development :) Commented Nov 24, 2013 at 21:05
  • 1
    stackoverflow.com/a/10558328/1265154; or, better, with binary installer lfd.uci.edu/~gohlke/pythonlibs Commented Nov 24, 2013 at 21:31
  • Thanks, but this is getting silly! I was expecting "install python package" to actually work... It appears there is a compiler error or something as per github.com/SheffieldML/GPy/issues/63 I think I am just going to use Canopy Express. I remember it was pretty awesome for Python. Commented Nov 24, 2013 at 21:36

8 Answers 8

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37

In Visual Studio 2013 Community Edition with a Python 2.7 environment, the following worked for me:

Open the Python Environments menu in Solution Explorer, and click on "Install Python Package..."

Then write "numpy":

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6

In Visual Studio 2022 just use the "Solution Explorer" to install NumPy.

  • Expand the Project and then expand the Python Environments
  • Right click on the Python installation and choose "Manage Python Packages..."

Solution Explorer

  • Type "numpy" in the search field
  • Click on "Run command: pip install numpy"

Python Environment

Now NumPy should be installed on the Visual Studio Python environment!

Note that if the chosen Python environment is:

  • "Python 3.XX (global default)"
    Then NumPy will be installed on your default Visual Studio Python environment,
  • NOT the (global default)
    Then NumPy will JUST be installed on your current project.
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5

Two solutions worked for me:

  1. Going directly to my Python folder and installing the packages using pip.
  2. Creating a virtual environment in my project and installing packages from within Visual Studio.
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3

Consider using a more feature-rich Windows distribution of Python, like Anaconda. It comes with a boatload of packages included into the installer. This is quite handy for those who are new to Python, especially when they are using Windows.

Edit:

As of 2020, I would suggest using the python.org distribution of Python. Compiler issues on ms-windows have finally been fixed, so a lot of projects now provide binary packages (wheels) for ms-windows. Among others numpy, pandas, matplotlib, pillow, Cython and PyNaCl.

Note that wheel names ending in:

  • win_amd64.whl are for 64-bit versions of ms-windows, and
  • win32.whl are for 32-bit.
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2 Comments

Thanks Anaconda looks pretty cool. I am going to use Canopy Express enthought.com/products/epd/free which is also very cool (and free)! Someday maybe Microsoft will get their act together with this :)
@user1477388 Anaconda is also free. It's the add-ons (like optimized math and database libraries) that cost money. Either Anaconda or Canopy Express would be fine. I can sympathize with your plight. I'm used to working with FreeBSD and Linux which come with a host of free tools either installed or easily available. Every time I have to use a Windows box it feels like a barren wasteland in comparison.
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I actually ran into the same set of problems when trying to use Visual Studio for Python.

I managed to get things to work at the end - please see Using Visual Studio 2013 for Python (3.4) with NumPy and SciPy on Windows for details. Essentially you can either use the installer (if one is available) or use pip to do the installation.

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2

Make sure C++ Common Tools are installed in Visual Studio:

Visual Studio 2015 Setup

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1

See under Extra in the Visual Studio (Extra-Python-Interactive Window).

It has the ability to switch the interactive console through a different platform/Python version (32-bit, 64-bit, Debug, and Anaconda (which has the NumPy package)).

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From PTVS Installation:

2. Installing packages individually

Here are some recommended packages. Generally you want to install packages using pip or through the interface in Visual Studio (which uses pip), as this will ensure that you get the latest version that will work with your version of Python, as well as any dependencies.

Some packages have complex dependencies and need to be downloaded manually, either from the project's website or from Christoph Gohlke's package collection.

I installed numpy and scipy from these links, and it works perfectly with Visual Studio.

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