Python Code Cell in Jupyter Notebook Cannot Use Conda Virtual Environment

Seemingly similar issue to https://github.com/microsoft/vscode-jupyter/issues/2616, filing a new issue on @DonJayamanne’s request.

Environment

• VS Code: v1.51.1
• Jupyter Extension: v2020.11.392013122
• Python Extension: v2020.11.371526539
• OS: Windows 10 Pro v1909
• Anaconda: v2020.07 (anaconda), v1.7.2 (anaconda-client)

Description

I am using a Jupyter notebook with Python code cells in VS Code. After creating a new virtual environment using the standard Anaconda steps, I select the appropriate Python interpreter via the VS Code GUI.

I have registered the virtual environment with Jupyter using python -m ipykernel install --user --name=myenv and my virtual environment has the jupyter library installed. Note that the Jupyter, Anaconda, and Python extensions are all installed in VS Code as well.

I am able to use conda activate myenv and run code directly in the terminal perfectly fine. Unfortunately, when attempting to run the same code in the code cell inside the Jupyter notebook, I am unable to activate myenv; instead, I see that base is activated when I run !conda info --envs and !where python.

Would appreciate any suggestions.

Steps to Reproduce

In VS Code terminal (using Command Prompt):

1. conda create -n myenv python=3.8 pandas numpy matplotlib jupyter notebook

2. conda activate myenv

3. python -m ipykernel install --user --name=myenv Output: Installed kernelspec myenv in C:\Users\ayush\AppData\Roaming\jupyter\kernels\myenv

4. conda info --envs

Output:

# conda environments:
#
base                     C:\Users\ayush\anaconda3
myenv                 *  C:\Users\ayush\anaconda3\envs\myenvp

In new Jupyter notebook test.ipynb:

1. Select myenv as the Python interpreter via the VS Code GUI.

2. In Python code cell: !conda info --envs

Output:

# conda environments:
#
base                  *  C:\Users\ayush\anaconda3
myenv                    C:\Users\ayush\anaconda3\envs\myenv

If I install additional libraries in myenv (e.g. PyTorch), they are unable to be loaded within the Jupyter notebook. For example, see below:

Thank you all for your help.

[DonJayamanne]

If I attempt to then run a code cell, I get the following error pop up message: StdErr from ShellExec,

@IanMatthewHuff this is a known bug in core extension. Looks like some recent bug in core extension. Will find issue

[greazer]

Dupe of #4011