How to Use Python to Automate Daily Tasks: A Step-by-Step Tutorial for Beginners

Table of contents
- πΉ Why Automate Tasks with Python?
- πΉ Prerequisites
- π¨ Bonus: Enhance Your UI Design with a Free Background Remover
- πΉ Step 1: Automate File and Folder Management
- πΉ Step 2: Automate Sending Emails with Python
- πΉ Step 3: Automate Web Scraping with Python
- πΉ Step 4: Automate Excel & CSV File Management
- πΉ Conclusion: Whatβs Next?

Do you spend hours on repetitive tasks like renaming files, sending emails, or managing spreadsheets? With Python automation, you can save time and eliminate manual work by writing simple scripts.
In this guide, youβll learn how to automate daily tasks using Python, even if you're a beginner. We'll cover real-world examples, step-by-step instructions, and useful Python libraries.
πΉ Why Automate Tasks with Python?
β
Saves time β Eliminate manual and repetitive work
β
Boosts productivity β Focus on important tasks instead of routine ones
β
Reduces errors β Automate tasks accurately without mistakes
β
Easy to learn β Python has beginner-friendly libraries for automation
πΉ Prerequisites
Before we start, make sure you have:
β Python installed (Download from python.org)
β A basic understanding of Python syntax
β An IDE (like VS Code, PyCharm, or Jupyter Notebook)
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This diagram represents how Python automates tasks like file management, email sending, web scraping, and Excel processing.
Start
β
βΌ
βββββββββββββββββββ
β User Input β (Choose task: Files, Email, Web Scraping, Excel)
βββββββββββββββββββ
β
βΌ
βββββββββββββββββββ
β Load Python β (Run the script)
βββββββββββββββββββ
β
βΌ
ββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
β Task Execution β (Perform the selected automation)
ββββββββββββββββββββββββββ€
β - Rename files β
β - Send email β
β - Scrape web data β
β - Modify Excel files β
ββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
β
βΌ
βββββββββββββββββββ
β Task Completed β (Save output, send confirmation)
βββββββββββββββββββ
β
βΌ
End
You can create a mind map like this:
Python Automation
β
βββββββββββββ΄ββββββββββββ
β β
File Handling Web Scraping
β β
βββ Rename Files βββ Extract Data
βββ Move Files βββ Scrape Prices
βββ Delete Files βββ Auto-fill Forms
β β
β β
Email Automation Excel & CSV Automation
β β
βββ Send Emails βββ Read & Edit Data
βββ Bulk Emails βββ Generate Reports
βββ Auto-Responses βββ Automate Data Entry
πΉ Step 1: Automate File and Folder Management
π Example: Rename Multiple Files Automatically
If you have hundreds of files and need to rename them, Python can do it in seconds.
πΉ Install Required Library:
pip install os
πΉ Python Script:
import os
folder_path = "C:/Users/YourName/Documents/files" # Change this to your folder path
for index, filename in enumerate(os.listdir(folder_path)):
new_name = f"document_{index}.txt" # Customize file naming pattern
old_file = os.path.join(folder_path, filename)
new_file = os.path.join(folder_path, new_name)
os.rename(old_file, new_file)
print("Files renamed successfully!")
β What it does?
Reads all files in a folder
Renames them with a sequential number (
document_1.txt
,document_2.txt
, etc.)
πΉ Step 2: Automate Sending Emails with Python
π Example: Send Automated Emails Using Python
You can send emails with attachments automatically using Pythonβs smtplib and email modules.
πΉ Install Required Libraries:
pip install smtplib email
πΉ Python Script:
import smtplib
from email.message import EmailMessage
# Email credentials
EMAIL_ADDRESS = "your_email@gmail.com"
EMAIL_PASSWORD = "your_password"
def send_email():
msg = EmailMessage()
msg["Subject"] = "Automated Email from Python"
msg["From"] = EMAIL_ADDRESS
msg["To"] = "recipient@example.com"
msg.set_content("Hello, this is an automated email sent using Python!")
# Send email
with smtplib.SMTP_SSL("smtp.gmail.com", 465) as smtp:
smtp.login(EMAIL_ADDRESS, EMAIL_PASSWORD)
smtp.send_message(msg)
send_email()
print("Email sent successfully!")
β What it does?
Logs in to Gmail SMTP
Sends an email with a custom subject and message
You can modify it to send emails in bulk
π Tip: If you're using Gmail, enable "Less Secure Apps" or use an App Password.
πΉ Step 3: Automate Web Scraping with Python
π Example: Extract Data from a Website
Use Python to scrape data from websites and save it into a file.
πΉ Install Required Library:
pip install requests beautifulsoup4
πΉ Python Script:
import requests
from bs4 import BeautifulSoup
url = "https://example.com" # Replace with the website URL
response = requests.get(url)
soup = BeautifulSoup(response.text, "html.parser")
# Extract all <h1> tags
headings = soup.find_all("h1")
for heading in headings:
print(heading.text)
β What it does?
Sends a request to a website
Extracts all H1 headings
Prints them in the terminal
π Tip: Modify the script to scrape articles, prices, or stock market data!
πΉ Step 4: Automate Excel & CSV File Management
π Example: Read and Update an Excel File
Use Python to automate data entry, calculations, and reports in Excel.
πΉ Install Required Library:
pip install openpyxl pandas
πΉ Python Script:
import pandas as pd
# Load Excel file
df = pd.read_excel("sales_data.xlsx")
# Calculate total sales
df["Total Sales"] = df["Quantity"] * df["Price"]
# Save the updated file
df.to_excel("updated_sales_data.xlsx", index=False)
print("Excel file updated successfully!")
β What it does?
Reads an Excel file
Calculates Total Sales (Quantity Γ Price)
Saves the updated file
π Tip: You can automate invoices, reports, and data analysis!
πΉ Conclusion: Whatβs Next?
Congratulations! π Youβve learned how to use Python to automate daily tasks like:
β Renaming files
β Sending emails
β Scraping websites
β Managing Excel files
π Want to Learn More? Try automating:
π¬ What would you like to automate with Python? Comment below and letβs discuss! ππ₯
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Written by

ajit gupta
ajit gupta
Hey! I'm a passionate Full-Stack Developer who loves turning ideas into scalable web apps. I specialize in NestJS, React, and MongoDB, and enjoy working on modern product experiences with clean UI and solid backend architecture. Currently exploring fintech integrations like Razorpay and PayPal. Follow me for practical coding tips, tutorials, and insights from real-world projects. Letβs build something awesome together! π₯