Wednesday, August 23rd 2023

Microsoft Brings Python Integration to Excel, but not for Everyone

by
AleksandarK
 Discuss (23 Comments)
Microsoft today announced that Python integration is happening, and it is coming to the latest Excel version. Through a new partnership with Anaconda, Excel will natively support executing Python code and accessing popular Python data science libraries like Pandas, Matplotlib, and Statsmodels. This integration will empower Excel users to leverage the full capabilities of Python for data transformation, analysis, and visualization without switching between separate tools. The Python integration will be available starting today in preview form for Microsoft 365 Insider beta channel members. It is being added as part of Excel's Power Query data preparation feature.

To access it, Insiders must install the latest Excel preview build, then look under the Formulas tab for the new "Insert Python" option. This will allow them to write and execute Python scripts directly in Excel worksheets. The limited-time integration preview will revert to reduced functionality once it expires. At that point, users must purchase a license to regain full access. This reflects Microsoft's strategic move to position Python as an alternative to VBA for programming and automation in Excel. With this new level of Python integration, Excel continues to evolve as a versatile hub for data analysis tasks, reducing the need to switch between separate Python and Excel workflows. Anaconda provides documentation and training resources to help users take full advantage of the new capabilities.

Update 10:58 UTC: Just to clarify: only the "Office 365" cloud version receives Python integration—no improvements for the classic offline version.
Source: Microsoft

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23 Comments on Microsoft Brings Python Integration to Excel, but not for Everyone

#1
silentbogo
Even though I hate Python even more than I hate VBA, I still think it's a good move. Would be interesting to see if there's pip and if it'll allow for other addons & GUI elements to be used, in addition to charts (or just the "whitelisted" ones).
Posted on Reply
#2
qlum
Considering vba scripts are a good access point for malware already, I hope they at least make sure there are sufficient warnings before executing python code.
Posted on Reply
#3
Frick
Fishfaced Nincompoop
It is worth noting that this is a cloud feature.
Posted on Reply
#4
lemonadesoda
MS, please release Excel 2024 classic. An up to date Excel with all new features and bugs squashed with CLASSIC INTERFACE not ribbon! Same for Word.
Posted on Reply
#5
Frick
Fishfaced Nincompoop
lemonadesodaMS, please release Excel 2024 classic. An up to date Excel with all new features and bugs squashed with CLASSIC INTERFACE not ribbon! Same for Word.
Are you saying old Excel was bug free?
Posted on Reply
#6
W1zzard
VBA is a cancer (that I still have to use a lot), but putting Python only in the cloud version is kinda lame
Posted on Reply
#7
trsttte
W1zzardVBA is a cancer (that I still have to use a lot), but putting Python only in the cloud version is kinda lame
To me this looks like the first step to officially kill offline and standalone Office which is very sad, not that the writting wasn't on the wall for a very long time but still very disheartening
Posted on Reply
#8
TheinsanegamerN
trsttteTo me this looks like the first step to officially kill offline and standalone Office which is very sad, not that the writting wasn't on the wall for a very long time but still very disheartening
True, but then again office 2016 was supposed to be "the last office". Then 2019. Now we have office 21.

If enough people refuse 365, we may see an office 24, and it may have the python upgrade.
Posted on Reply
#9
Fourstaff
Yes please, cant wait to make a Frankenmonster of an Excel model with Python and VBA bits to confuse the hell out of any business analytics worker.
Posted on Reply
#10
Chomiq
Cloud excel, where you can't even edit and save a CSV.
Posted on Reply
#11
trsttte
TheinsanegamerNIf enough people refuse 365, we may see an office 24, and it may have the python upgrade.
The problem is most people simply don't buy office anymore because all the basic features are available on the free online version. The main customer are businesses and they don't care as long as the numbers make sense, given how everyone is beholden to outlook and ms teams anyway this is just another item on the subscription.

I wouldn't be surprised if the only thing keeping offline office alive were legacy applications that depend on a local excel install - which "fortunately" will be true for a long time
Posted on Reply
#12
Shihab
Welcome to 2013, Microsoft!
Posted on Reply
#13
Frick
Fishfaced Nincompoop
TheinsanegamerNIf enough people refuse 365, we may see an office 24, and it may have the python upgrade.
Maybe an Office 2024, but even so the python stuff will run on their infrastructure. I cannot forsee a future in which MS scales back on the cloud/subscription stuff.
Posted on Reply
#14
Unregistered
Maybe they can add proper copy paste system when they are at it.
Posted on Edit | Reply
#15
Wirko
lemonadesodaMS, please release Excel 2024 classic. An up to date Excel with all new features and bugs squashed with CLASSIC INTERFACE not ribbon! Same for Word.
Of all things, you mention the ribbon ... Yeah, the ribbon really was horrible in its first incarnation in 2007, and gave Office a lasting bad reputation. But the ribbon grew really good and useful, also nicely customisable, in Office 2010 (along with the Quick Access Toolbar).
Posted on Reply
#16
gurusmi
Happily i'm migrating to LibreOffice. I only need to recode my 10.000 Lines of macros.
Posted on Reply
#17
lemonadesoda
WirkoYeah, the ribbon really was horrible in its first incarnation in 2007, and gave Office a lasting bad reputation. But the ribbon grew really good and useful, also nicely customisable, in Office 2010 (along with the Quick Access Toolbar).
Ribbon is still ribbon. If you want to wear it, fine. Each to their own. My own: give me classic. Just like all my other apps. And just like my old Office, which I installed on my laptop, because I detest searching ribbons when structured drop down menus are better for me
Posted on Reply
#18
TheinsanegamerN
WirkoOf all things, you mention the ribbon ... Yeah, the ribbon really was horrible in its first incarnation in 2007, and gave Office a lasting bad reputation. But the ribbon grew really good and useful, also nicely customisable, in Office 2010 (along with the Quick Access Toolbar).
2010 ribbon was WAY better and my favorite version.
trsttteThe problem is most people simply don't buy office anymore because all the basic features are available on the free online version. The main customer are businesses and they don't care as long as the numbers make sense, given how everyone is beholden to outlook and ms teams anyway this is just another item on the subscription.

I wouldn't be surprised if the only thing keeping offline office alive were legacy applications that depend on a local excel install - which "fortunately" will be true for a long time
IME most personal users dont even use office anymore, they use google docs or OLD versions of office. When I set machines up for people, quoting them the $350 for an office install usually convinces them to look at free options.
FrickMaybe an Office 2024, but even so the python stuff will run on their infrastructure. I cannot forsee a future in which MS scales back on the cloud/subscription stuff.
They wont scale back, but they made office 21 feature comparable with 365, so theres a chance.
Posted on Reply
#19
Karti
TheinsanegamerNTrue, but then again office 2016 was supposed to be "the last office". Then 2019. Now we have office 21.

If enough people refuse 365, we may see an office 24, and it may have the python upgrade.
well

365 is still kind of a... "you have it, you got it all" since no updates will miss you if you are active subscriber to it
Posted on Reply
#20
TheinsanegamerN
Kartiwell

365 is still kind of a... "you have it, you got it all" since no updates will miss you if you are active subscriber to it
And you are stuck paying even more, in perpituity, for the same product.

Yeah no. I didnt get a $1 trillion raise like Microsoft did. I'm good on giving them more of my money.
Posted on Reply
#21
Mindweaver
Moderato®™
W1zzardVBA is a cancer (that I still have to use a lot), but putting Python only in the cloud version is kinda lame
It's sad.. I still use VBA daily. On a side note I'm still converting vb.net projects over to C#...

EDIT: When I say vb.net I mean Visual Basic programs. I still use VBA in Excel every week. Writing formulas. This edit is for everyone else I know you no the difference W1zzard. ;) Everyone else might know as well. LOL Lately I have had to over explain myself daily. lol
FrickIt is worth noting that this is a cloud feature.
Sometimes you just got to get your foot in the door. This could lead to more down the road.
Posted on Reply
#22
W1zzard
MindweaverI'm still converting vb.net projects over to C#...
It would be so awesome if MS just gave us C# as macro language for Office ..
Posted on Reply
#23
Karti
TheinsanegamerNAnd you are stuck paying even more, in perpituity, for the same product.

Yeah no. I didnt get a $1 trillion raise like Microsoft did. I'm good on giving them more of my money.
Well i am nto using it for private reasons

but my company do buys licence in bulk - because we are basing our whole AD on Exchnage etc... so ofc we got no different option for now
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