Python Versions and Packages

Default Python Version Update (October 7, 2025):

• With the removal of Python 3.8 from Data Lab on October 7, 2025, the default Python version on our platform transitioned to Python 3.11. Any notebooks previously saved with the Python 3.8 kernel will now automatically use the Python 3.11 kernel by default.

• For any compatibility issues, please see Data Lab Python 3.11 Compatibility Guide for more information

Overview

Seeq Data Lab includes two pre-installed Python versions, both in security or bugfix status by Python. Developers can switch between Python versions without restarting the Data Lab project. Installing a new Python version or upgrading an existing one in a Data Lab project is not supported.

Multiple Versions of Python

You can choose between Python 3.11 and Python 3.13. This lets you leverage the latest features and libraries offered by 3.13 while maintaining compatibility with your existing projects that might still rely on 3.11.

To provide the latest bug fixes and security updates, the patch version of supported Python versions may be upgraded in any Seeq release.

Switch Versions Within Your Notebook

Seeq Data Lab provides a user-friendly way to switch Python versions within your notebook. Simply navigate to the kernels dropdown menu situated in the top right corner of your notebook (1). This will open a dropdown that lists the available Python versions to select from (2). The Python version you choose for a particular notebook cell is automatically persisted after execution. This eliminates the need to repeatedly select the version for each cell within the same notebook.

The Python version for the notebook is only saved after executing a cell and saving the notebook.

Guidance for Testing: Duplicate

• To prevent unintended changes to your original notebook, consider creating a duplicate version before testing with a different Python version. This safeguard ensures you have a pristine copy of your work in case any compatibility issues arise.

Switch Version Within Terminal

Since a terminal can only utilize a single Python environment you must activate your desired Python version. We’ve introduced a simple command, pyversion which allows you to manage Python versions directly from the terminal. The activated Python version is depicted between parentheses, “(pyX.Y.Z)”. To switch to Python 3.13, simply execute the command pyversion 3.13. This ensures that subsequent pip commands (such as package installations using pip install or listing local packages with pip list) target the newly selected Python version (3.13 in this case). To switch back to Python 3.11 execute the command pyversion 3.11.

Packages

Each Python version contains a set of preinstalled packages to support Data Lab and SPy. See Preinstalled Packages for more information.

In each Data Lab project, users can install Python packages in either Python environment to import in their notebooks. Additionally, admins can install packages globally so that they are available in every Data Lab project automatically. See Installing Python Modules and Packages for more information

Seamless Integration with Add-on Tools:

The Python version you select for your notebook also governs the functionality of any Add-on Tools you deploy. This ensures compatibility and optimal performance between your chosen Python version and the Add-on Tools you utilize.

Considerations for Packaged Add-ons

Data Lab Functions for Add-ons accept a Python version as part of its configuration. Please see Data Lab Functions for more information.