Microsoft has announced that Microsoft 365 Insider program users will be able to use Python in Excel with the latest update. Today, we will talk about everything you need to know about the Excel Python integration!
In a move that’s set to redefine data manipulation for Excel enthusiasts, Microsoft has unveiled an exciting new development: Excel Python integration. This innovation bridges the gap between the advanced capabilities of the Python programming language and the familiar Excel interface, ushering in a new era of spreadsheet wizardry.
The curtain has risen on the public preview of Python in Excel, and it’s sending ripples of excitement through the tech community. Seasoned spreadsheet aficionados can now seamlessly weave Python scripts into their standard Excel formulas within a single workbook. This dynamic synergy of functionalities empowers users to wield both Python’s computational might and Excel’s intuitive interface all in one go.
Excel Python integration: Who can use Python in Excel?
As the initial phase of this groundbreaking feature unfolds, Microsoft 365 Insiders are the fortunate pioneers, granted early access through the Excel for Windows beta channel. While the preliminary release is confined to the desktop iteration of Excel, an interesting twist emerges: the computational prowess of Python isn’t limited to local hardware.
Microsoft has ingeniously engineered the Python calculations to run on the expansive canvas of the Microsoft Cloud. An intriguing choice, given that Python boasts compatibility with modern PCs.
Stefan Kinnestrand, the luminary General Manager for Modern Work at Microsoft, reveals the essence of this integration, stating, “Now you can do advanced data analysis in the familiar Excel environment by accessing Python directly from the Excel ribbon.” This milestone requires no elaborate setup or intricate installations. Leveraging Excel’s innate connectors and Power Query, external data flows seamlessly into the realm of Python within Excel.
The driving force behind this innovation involves a strategic alliance between Microsoft and the data science powerhouse, Anaconda. This symbiotic collaboration taps into the Azure-powered Anaconda Python distribution, bringing a bevy of Python’s most celebrated libraries to the Excel landscape. The inclusion of libraries such as Matplotlib and Seaborn for data visualization amplifies the potential for insightful analysis and compelling visual representations.
What is the Microsoft 365 Insider program?
Microsoft discontinued the Office Insider program, which was once employed to gather input from testers regarding new features and modifications. Nevertheless, this demise isn’t a cause for sorrow; it’s accompanied by an instantaneous revival in the form of the Microsoft 365 Insider program.
“With the Microsoft 365 Insider program, you get access to early builds of new features and updates, giving you an exclusive opportunity to give feedback on our latest innovations. Your feedback goes directly to our product teams at Microsoft to help make Microsoft 365 even better for users across the globe,” says Microsoft.
We want to officially announce, as of today, the Office Insider program is now the Microsoft 365 Insider program!
Same early access you know and love with a newly expanded purview. Learn more about the changes happening here: https://t.co/GQISYCCJa5
— Microsoft 365 Insider (@Msft365Insider) January 18, 2023
How to join the Microsoft 365 Insider program
A pathway lies ahead for the adventurous souls seeking to embark on this novel journey. Joining the Microsoft 365 Insider Program and embracing the beta channel’s cutting-edge Excel builds is the key to unlocking this fusion of technologies. The process is refreshingly intuitive: a mere selection of “insert Python” within the Formulas ribbon ignites the voyage into this innovative synergy.
Here is how to join the Microsoft 365 Insider program to be able to use Python in Excel:
Step 1: Checking Your Eligibility
Before you take the plunge into the realm of insider access, it’s essential to ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria. This involves checking your license type. Open up a trusted Microsoft 365 application like Word or Excel, and head to the “Account” section. Look for your license information under “Product Information.” Match your license type against the categories below to determine your eligibility status.
- Microsoft 365 Family or Personal Subscription: If you’re a part of this subscription tier, you’re in luck. You can easily install Insider builds by following the instructions provided on your screen. Keep an eye out for the “Microsoft 365 Insider” button.
- Business/Education Subscription: If your Microsoft 365 subscription falls under this category, your subscription management lies in the hands of your administrator. Unfortunately, you won’t have the liberty to install or manage Insider builds unless your administrator grants you the privilege.
- Perpetual License Holders: If your license label features a year like “2019” or bears the “LTSC” mark, you’re holding a non-subscription version of Office. Regrettably, this means you won’t be able to hop aboard the Microsoft 365 Insider program train.
Step 2: Choosing Your Insider Level
Once you’ve nailed down your eligibility, the next fork in the road involves choosing your Insider level. The Microsoft 365 Insider for Windows offers two tantalizing options: Beta Channel and Current Channel (Preview).
- Beta Channel: Are you adventurous, hungry for the freshest innovations? The Beta Channel is your stomping ground. This level invites you to embrace the latest builds, allowing you to unearth issues and offer feedback on features still in the workshop of development.
- Current Channel (Preview): If you’re an early adopter with a taste for stability, the Current Channel (Preview) awaits. This level delivers early access to new features, accompanied by less frequent, more reliable updates.
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Step 3: Installing Insider Builds
Brace yourself for the moment you’ve been waiting for – installing Insider builds. It’s a breeze, really. Launch any Microsoft 365 app on your Windows system, then navigate to File > Account > Microsoft 365 Insider > Join Microsoft 365 Insider.
- In the dialogue box that emerges, tick the box next to “Sign me up for early access to new releases of Microsoft 365 apps.”
- Select your desired Insider channel.
- Click the checkboxes for “Check for and apply updates” and “I agree to the terms and conditions…”
- Give that confirmatory click on “OK.”
If you’re greeted by a notification asking for permission to make changes to your device, simply confirm it. A confirmation message heralds your successful entry into the program – hit “OK” again to cement your spot.
It’s worth acknowledging the precedents that paved the way for this convergence. While Python enthusiasts have long had access to libraries facilitating interaction with Excel files, the landscape is evolving. Previously, paid Excel add-ons like PyXLL have ventured into merging Python’s expansive capabilities with Microsoft’s spreadsheet realm.
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In the realm of data-driven potential, Microsoft’s introduction of Python integration to Excel is indeed a game-changer. The fusion of two powerful tools heralds a new era of efficiency and precision in data analysis and manipulation. As this integration finds its footing and spreads its wings, a world of endless possibilities opens up for both Excel devotees and Python aficionados alike.
Featured image credit: Matthew Manuel/Unsplash
