Experience the fusion of Python and Excel, unlocking a new era of advanced analytics that merges the strengths of both domains.
Microsoft Excel, the cornerstone software for data organisation and analysis, is taking a bold leap forward. It has announced the public preview of its newest feature: the integration of Python directly within Excel. Available to members of the Microsoft 365 Insiders program through Excel for Windows’ Beta Channel, this enhancement is set to revolutionise how data professionals interact with Excel.
The integration of Python into Excel presents a transformative approach to data analytics. With the introduction of the PY function, users can now directly input Python code into Excel, harmonising the strengths of both platforms. This enhances Excel’s capabilities and allows users to delve deeper into advanced data visualisations, machine learning, and data cleaning by leveraging Python’s extensive libraries. The backing of Anaconda, a prominent enterprise Python repository, further amplifies this integration. As Python in Excel utilises the Anaconda Distribution in Azure, users are provided access to many Python libraries, a move celebrated by Anaconda’s CEO, Peter Wang, as a game-changer for Excel users globally.
Prioritising security, all Python operations within Excel are executed on the secure Microsoft Cloud, with the code running in Azure Container Instances, ensuring the utmost user privacy. Collaboration has also been enhanced; teams can share and work on Python-integrated Excel workbooks effortlessly without requiring additional tools. This initiative, a product of collaboration across various Microsoft teams, symbolises Microsoft’s unwavering commitment to the Python community, reflecting their ambition to expand Python’s reach and accessibility.
Python’s creator, Guido van Rossum, now a Microsoft Distinguished Engineer, says, “I’m excited that this excellent, tight integration of Python and Excel is now seeing the light of day”. As Python in Excel goes live in its preview version, it promises to foster a synergy between Python and Excel, creating a paradigm shift in how data analytics and decision-making are approached in modern enterprises.
