Microsoft has announced the introduction of a public preview for Python integration in Excel, enabling proficient users of spreadsheets to blend Python language scripts with their regular Excel formulas within the same workbook.
“Now you can do advanced data analysis in the familiar Excel environment by accessing Python directly from the Excel ribbon,” Stefan Kinnestrand, the GM for Modern Work at Microsoft, said.
“No setup or installation is required. Using Excel’s built-in connectors and Power Query, you can easily bring external data into Python in Excel workflows,” Kinnestrand added.
Initially, this functionality will be rolled out to Microsoft 365 Insiders as part of the beta channel for Excel on Windows. While this feature will debut in the desktop version of Excel, the company has indicated that Python computations will be executed in the Microsoft Cloud.
This approach is puzzling, given that Python performs effectively on contemporary personal computers, leaving uncertainty about the rationale behind Microsoft’s cloud-based decision.
To realize this feature, the giant tech firm has collaborated with the Anaconda data science platform.
By utilizing the Azure environment, the company leverages the Anaconda Python distribution to incorporate prominent Python libraries into Excel. These libraries encompass popular tools like Matplotlib and Seaborn, crucial for data visualization.
To experiment with this functionality, individuals need to join the Microsoft 365 Insider Program and choose the beta channel to access the latest Excel builds. Thereafter, they can initiate the process by selecting “insert Python” in the Formulas ribbon.
It’s worth mentioning that there have existed libraries allowing Python users to interact with Excel files for quite some time. Additionally, paid Excel add-ons such as PyXLL have facilitated the integration of Python’s capabilities into Microsoft’s spreadsheets.
