How to work with .ipynb files without launching the Jupyter Notebook server?

Question

I'm starting to work more with Jupyter notebooks, and am really starting to like it. However, I find it difficult to use it with my particular setup.

I have a workstation for running all the notebooks, but for a large part of my day I'm on-the-go with a space-constrained laptop with no power outlets. I'd like to be able to edit (but not run) these notebooks without installing and running the full Jupyter server backend, which I imagine would suck up a lot of power.

My question is: Is it possible for me to edit (and not run) notebooks without running the Jupyter server?

What are the specs on your laptop? The jupyter server isn't any more demanding on memory than ipython console mode. I use a refurbished business desktop. — hpaulj
– hpaulj, Commented Jan 13, 2020 at 16:22

Miguel Trejo · Accepted Answer · 2020-01-10 16:50:30Z

5

You could use one of the following options

1. ipynb-py-convert

With this module you can do a conversion from .py to .ipynb and vice-versa:

ipynb-py-convert ~/name_of_notebook.ipynb ~/name_of_notebook.py

where according to the documentation the cells are left as they are. To get back a jupyter notebook

ipynb-py-convert ~/name_of_notebook.py ~/name_of_notebook.ipynb

2. Ipython

However, you could also do a conversion to .py when you want to work it with an editor like VS Code or Sublime Text after you have download your .ipynb file with ipython:

ipython nbconvert --to python name_of_your_notebook.ipynb

answered Jan 10, 2020 at 16:50

Miguel Trejo

6,7376 gold badges30 silver badges53 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

1 Comment

Wayne Over a year ago

Jupytext can do similar conversions from notebook to script and back again, see here.

Jeeter · Accepted Answer · 2020-01-10 16:25:00Z

1

As I was asking this question, I had opened the notebook locally in Visual Studio Code, but the preview was just the raw text representation of the notebook, so I had assumed that it needed the backend to run.

However, I was about to press submit on the question when I checked back in on it, and the notebook showed up just fine. So one solution is to open it in VS Code and wait a little bit.

answered Jan 10, 2020 at 16:25

Jeeter

6,1558 gold badges47 silver badges70 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

How to work with .ipynb files without launching the Jupyter Notebook server?

2 Answers 2

1. ipynb-py-convert

2. Ipython

1 Comment

Comments

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

1. ipynb-py-convert

2. Ipython

1 Comment

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related