Editing Old Iron Python Scripts in new Rhino 8 Editor

Scripting
3

Curious why this is not allowed any longer: SyntaxWarning: import * only allowed at module level

Here is my script using import *.

def getRunnngXL():
    try:
        import System
        import os
        import clr
        user = os.environ["USERPROFILE"]
        #C:\Users\ebunn\SEE RhinoScript
        path = user + "/SEE RhinoScript/XL_Utils/bin/Release/net48/Utils.dll"
        print (path)
        
        clr.AddReferenceToFileAndPath(path)
        
        from Utils import *
        
        excel = Marshal2.GetActiveObject("Excel.Application")
        print(excel,"Excel")    
        return excel
    except:
        print("Excel not Running")

Problem is if I locate the line “from Utils import *” outside of the function is doesn’t work. It relies on the other commands before it within the function. Looking for a work around.

The code comes from here: https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/connecting-to-excel-code-doesnt-work-in-rhino-8/198192

Maybe I should be posting this problem there? It’s really a problem with the new ScriptEditor. The script works fine when run from the old IronPython editor.

Thanks for the help!

Eric