microsoft / microsoft/markitdown

XLSX/XLS: whole numbers render as "1.0" when the column contains a blank cell

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Python
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Description

Description

In XLSX/XLS conversion, a single blank cell forces pandas to read its column as float64, so every whole number in that column renders with a .0 suffix, inconsistent with clean columns beside it:

# sheet: A1='count', A2=1, A3 blank, A4=2
from markitdown import MarkItDown, StreamInfo
...
'| count |',
'| 1.0 |',
'| NaN |',
'| 2.0 |',

Expected the integer rendering of clean columns: 1, 2.

Reproduction
import io
from openpyxl import Workbook
from markitdown import MarkItDown, StreamInfo

wb = Workbook(); ws = wb.active
ws['A1'] = 'count'; ws['A2'] = 1; ws['A3'] = None; ws['A4'] = 2
buf = io.BytesIO(); wb.save(buf); buf.seek(0)
print(MarkItDown().convert_stream(buf, stream_info=StreamInfo(extension='.xlsx')).markdown)

No network or fixture needed.

Notes

Distinct from the NaN-noise discussion in #2124 / #2286: simulating their patch still renders 1.0 for a numeric-header/data-only sheet, so the float64 promotion is a separate defect.

Environment

markitdown main (cc0ca9e), Python 3.12

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First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Start by running the provided openpyxl and MarkItDown().convert_stream reproduction for a .xlsx StreamInfo. Trace the XLSX/XLS conversion path and how pandas float64 values are rendered when a column contains a blank cell. Done means the sample output shows 1 and 2 rather than 1.0 and 2.0, while the blank cell remains represented as shown and existing clean-column behavior is preserved.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
pandas, python
Domain
data
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
3/5
Estimated time
1-2 days
Activity status
Active
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
72/100

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