Python in Excel coming soon! Will you be onboarding?

If you have not heard, Microsoft announced that it will be releasing Python in Excel. Python commands and libraries will be accessible from within Excel. No installation or add-ons required.

The various Python libraries including charting capabilities will be available for you. Python commands will be executed in Microsoft Cloud. Security will be ensured.

The screenshot below shows Python commands entered from within an Excel cell, with Python referencing data from the worksheet, almost as if Python is native in Excel.

Advance visualisation will be available.

Machine learning capabilities will at your finger tips.

Will it benefit you?

Short answer: No.

The majority of Excel usage would not need these Python libraries and charts. It will not entice non-Python users over to Python. Any workbook created with Python scripts would still require a Python user to maintain changes. So in a company, an employee who introduces Python in Excel, would not enjoy the reception. Any workbook created is likely to be discontinued after he/she leaves the company.

Python users are comfortable with what they have, and will be reluctant to use Python in Excel.

The most likely scenario is where the company policy is strict against unauthorised application installations. Python users may adopt this when Excel cannot perform the required function.

Some educational institution may encourage Python in Excel to reduce the learning curve into Python.

Is Python in Excel a game changer?

Short answer: No.

And this because the adoption will not be high.

In my opinion Excel's more significant enhancements were introduction of Excel spreadsheets to Windows, Visual Basic for Applications VBA (Excel 95), and Power Query (Excel 2016).

Even dynamic arrays and LAMBDA which I write about, is not earth shaking.

Conclusion

Python in Excel will be here to stay. It will have its proponents and followers (Count me in!). But its impact would not be significant, contrary to the news that is going around.

You may say I am jumping the gun too soon. Only time will tell.