How to install Get started with Have fun with
Jupyter Notebook

This is a quick guide to install Jupyter Notebook with Conda and pip on Windows or Mac operating system. We’ll guide you through the installation process for both Mac and Windows operating systems.

windows operating system

Install Jupyter Notebook on Windows

Walk though of installing Jupyter on Windows using Anaconda, Miniconda and Pip.

Mac operating system

Install Jupyter Notebook on Mac OS

Walk though of installing Jupyter on Mac using Anaconda, Miniconda and Pip.

get started

Getting Started With Jupyter Notebook

Once you have Jupyter Notebook installed, you can start creating and editing notebooks.

Introduction: Jupyter Notebook and Python Environment Tools

Jupyter Notebook is an open-source, interactive web application that allows you to create, share, and collaborate on documents containing live code, equations, visualizations, and narrative text. It is widely used for data analysis, scientific computing, and teaching programming concepts. In this article, we’ll guide you through the installation process for both Mac and Windows operating systems.

 

Option Description
Anaconda Logo

Anaconda

Anaconda is a free and open-source distribution of Python and R programming languages that includes a wide range of pre-installed packages and libraries, such as NumPy, pandas, and Jupyter Notebook, which makes it convenient for users who need a comprehensive environment for their projects. However, the full installation can require over 3 GB of disk space which includes an extensive list of pre-installed packages, saving saves time and effort in setting up a fully functional environment.
Miniconda logo

Miniconda

Miniconda is a lightweight version of Anaconda that provides a minimalistic Python environment, including only the necessary components to run Conda, the package, and environment manager. Unlike Anaconda, Miniconda does not include pre-installed packages. Users can install only the specific packages they need for their projects, which makes it a suitable choice for those who prefer a more compact and customizable environment. Miniconda has much lower memory requirements compared to Anaconda, taking up only 400-500 MB of disk space and making it an attractive option for users who prefer to manage their packages individually.
Conda logo

Conda

Conda is an open-source, cross-platform package manager and environment management system that is the core component of both Anaconda and Miniconda distributions. To use conda, we need to have either Anaconda or Miniconda.

Python pip install

Pip

Pip is the default package manager for Python that comes bundled with the standard Python distribution. Pip installs packages from the Python Package Index (PyPI) and is focused on managing packages specifically for the Python ecosystem. Pip lacks built-in support for managing environments. However, you can use it alongside Python’s built-in venv module to create isolated environments. It may be challenging to resolve and manage complex dependencies with pip, especially for packages with dependencies on non-Python libraries.

What should I install, Anaconda, Conda, or Pip

Deciding what to install depends on your specific needs, requirements, and preferences. Here’s a brief comparison between Anaconda, Miniconda, and pip to help you make an informed decision.

 

Option Benefits Choose If
Anaconda
  • 3 GB of space for straightforward installation.
  • Comprehensive environment for scientific computing.
  • Easy-to-use interface (Anaconda Navigator).
  • Pre-installed popular packages for beginners.
  • You have 3 GB of space on your computer.
  • You want a comprehensive environment for scientific computing.
Miniconda
  • Lightweight and minimalistic Python environment.
  • Limited storage space or smaller footprint.
  • Flexibility to create custom environments.
  • You prefer a lightweight and minimalistic Python environment.
  • You have limited storage space or prefer a smaller footprint.
Pip
  • Comfort with command-line interface.
  • Default Python distribution without additional tools.
  • No need for environment management features.
  • You are comfortable with a command-line interface.
  • You want to use the default Python distribution without additional tools.

 

Choosing the right Python environment tool depends on individual needs and preferences.
Anaconda offers a comprehensive environment with over 3 GB of pre-installed packages, making it suitable for those seeking a straightforward installation for scientific computing. Miniconda provides a lightweight and minimalistic environment, allowing users to install only the packages they need, making it an attractive option for those with limited storage space. Pip, on the other hand, is the default Python package manager that appeals to those comfortable with a command-line interface and who prefer a more manual approach to package installation.

 

Understanding the benefits and use cases of Anaconda, Miniconda, and Pip helps users make an informed decision that aligns with their specific requirements for Python development, data science, or machine learning projects.

How to Install Jupyter Notebook on Windows

There are two main methods to install Jupyter Notebook on Windows: using Anaconda or pip. We’ll cover both methods in the following sections.

Installing Jupyter Notebook using Anaconda on Windows

Anaconda is a free, open-source Python distribution that includes many popular scientific computing and data science packages, including Jupyter Notebook.
 
Step 1: Download Anaconda

Visit the Anaconda distribution page and download the latest version for Windows.

Anaconda distribution is the easiest way to install Jupyter Notebooks but it does take up large amount of memory.
 
Step 2: Run the Anaconda Installer

Run the downloaded executable file to start installing. Follow the on-screen instructions and accept the default settings.
 
Step 3: Launch Jupyter Notebook

Once the installation is complete, launch Anaconda Navigator from the Start menu. Click on the Jupyter Notebook icon to launch the application.

Installing Jupyter Notebook using Miniconda on Windows

To install Jupyter Notebook using Miniconda on Windows, follow these steps:
 
Step 1: Download Miniconda

Visit the Miniconda download page and download the Miniconda installer for Windows. Choose the Python version you prefer (usually the latest version is recommended) and select the appropriate installer based on your system architecture (64-bit or 32-bit).

Miniconda is a lightweight distribution that uses lower memory and allows users to specifically manage Python libraries.
 
Step 2: Install Miniconda

Run the downloaded Miniconda installer (.exe file) by double-clicking it. Follow the installation prompts, and make sure to check the option “Add Miniconda to my PATH environment variable” during the installation. This ensures that Miniconda and its associated commands are accessible from the command line.
 
Step 3: Open Command Prompt or PowerShell

Press `Win + R`, type cmd or powershell, and press Enter to open the Command Prompt or PowerShell window.
 
Step 4: Update Conda

Before installing Jupyter Notebook, it is a good practice to update Conda to the latest version. Run the command to update Conda:

conda update -n base -c defaults conda

 
Step 5: Create a new Conda environment (optional)

It’s recommended to create a separate Conda environment for your project to avoid potential conflicts between packages. Replace myenv with your desired environment name and <python_version> with your preferred Python version (e.g., 3.9):

conda create -n myenv python=<python_version>

Activate the newly created environment by running:

conda activate myenv

 
Step6: Install Jupyter Notebook

With Conda updated and your environment activated (if created), install Jupyter Notebook using the following command:

conda install -c conda-forge notebook

This command installs Jupyter Notebook from the conda-forge channel.
 
Step 6: Launch Jupyter Notebook

Start Jupyter Notebook by running this command:

jupyter notebook

This command will open Jupyter Notebook in your default web browser. You can now create, edit, and run Jupyter Notebooks within the specified Conda environment.

 

Jupyter Notebook Install Using pip on Windows

If you prefer not to use conda, you can install Jupyter Notebook using pip package manager for Python.
 
Step 1: Install Python programming language

Download and install the latest version of Python from the official website (https://www.python.org/downloads/). Make sure to check the option “Add Python to PATH” during the installation.
 
Step 2: Install Jupyter Notebook

Open the Command Prompt and run the following command using pip install to install Jupyter Notebook:

pip install jupyter

 
Step 3: Start Jupyter Notebook

Type the following command in the Command Prompt to launch Jupyter Notebook:

jupyter notebook

How to Install Jupyter Notebook on Mac

There are two main methods to install Jupyter Notebook on Mac: using Anaconda or pip. We’ll cover both methods in the following sections.

Installing Jupyter Notebook using Anaconda on Mac

The process of installing Jupyter Notebook using Anaconda on Mac is very similar to the Windows installation.

Step 1: Download Anaconda

Visit the Anaconda distribution page and download the latest version for macOS.

 

Step 2: Run the Anaconda Installer

Open the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions. Accept the default settings to complete the installation.

 

Step 3: Launch Jupyter Notebook

Open the Anaconda Navigator from your Applications folder. Click on the Jupyter Notebook icon to launch the application.

 

Jupyter Notebook Install Using `pip` on Mac

The process of installing Jupyter Notebook using pip on Mac is similar to the Windows installation.

Step 1: Install Python

Download and install the latest version of Python from the official website (https://www.python.org/downloads/).

 

Step 2: Install Jupyter Notebook

Open the Terminal and run the following command to install Jupyter Notebook:

pip3 install jupyter

 

Step 3: Launch Jupyter Notebook

Type the following command in the Terminal to launch Jupyter Notebook:

jupyter notebook

Getting Started With Jupyter Notebook

Now that you have Jupyter Notebook installed, you can start creating and editing notebooks.

 

Building your first Jupyter Notebook project

To create a new notebook, click on the “New” button in the top right corner of the Jupyter Notebook interface and select “Python 3” (or the version you have installed) from the drop-down menu.

Create a new notebook and select the Python version (or other Kernels)

A new notebook will open with an empty code cell. You can start writing your code, markdown text, or equations in the cell. To execute the code in a cell, press Shift + Enter.

A new Jupyter notebook with an empty cell.

You can add new cells, delete cells, or change the cell type (code, markdown, or raw) using the toolbar at the top of the notebook. Additionally, you can access various notebook settings, download the notebook in different formats, or save and checkpoint your progress using the “File” and “Kernel” menus.

The file menu in Jupyter Notebook.

 

Installing a Python Module in Jupyter Notebook with pip install

To install additional Python modules in Jupyter, use the `!pip` or `!pip3` command followed by the module name. For example, to install the NumPy module, run the following command in a Jupyter Notebook cell:

!pip install numpy

For Mac users, you might need to use pip3:

!pip3 install numpy

Go Beyond Local Jupyter

Classic Jupyter Notebook is a powerful tool. However, if you are looking to collaborate with others in a seamless could based Notebook that supports simultaneous use of Python, R and SQL, check out Noteable. It is fully compatible with classic Jupyter notebook, meaning you can import and export `ipynb` files, and requires no set up at all. Just sign up and code away!

Learn more