Yesterday, Microsoft announced on the public preliminary launch of Python in Excel. This new feature will allow advanced users of spreadsheets to combine scripts in the popular Python language with conventional Excel formulas in one book. The announcement was made on the official Microsoft Tech Community website.
Initially, the feature will only be available to participants in the Microsoft 365 Insider testing program as part of the Excel Beta channel for Windows. However, Microsoft plans to expand its availability in the future.
While the function will initially work only in the desktop version of Excel, Microsoft stated that the calculations will be performed in the cloud environment. This means that the function will eventually work in the online version of Excel as well.
According to Stefan Kinnestrand, the General Manager for Modern Work at Microsoft, this new feature will allow users to perform extended data analysis in the familiar Excel environment. Python can be accessed directly from the Excel ribbon, without the need for additional settings or installations. By utilizing the built-in components of Excel and Power Query, users can easily integrate Python’s external data into their Excel workflows.
To implement this function, Microsoft collaborated with various stakeholders in the data science community.
Data science is widely used in various industries, including business, medicine, finance, marketing, social sciences, and more. Its application allows companies and organizations to make informed decisions based on data, improve the efficiency of their business processes, enhance products and services, and predict future events.