Snakes in a Grid Python in Excel
AI Summary
This video introduces how to use Python integrated directly within Excel spreadsheets. Dr. Sarah Kaiser, a Python developer advocate, presents the feature allowing users to write Python code using a =PY( ) formula inside Excel cells to leverage powerful Python data analysis and visualization libraries without leaving Excel. The Python code runs in a secure remote cloud container backed by an Anaconda Python distribution, avoiding risks of macros and arbitrary code execution on local machines.
Key points include:
- Python integration works as an Excel formula with a special “=PY()” syntax.
- The Python environment uses a cloud Jupyter notebook kernel providing access to popular scientific libraries like pandas, numpy, matplotlib, scikit-learn, and more.
- Users can mix Python-coded cells with native Excel formulas fluidly.
- The Excel integration includes a co-pilot AI assistant specialized in writing Python data tasks.
- The feature is in public preview and available cross-platform (Windows, Mac, Web) with corporate and personal Microsoft 365 licenses.
- Advanced use cases include machine learning, sentiment analysis, and complex multi-plot visualizations directly within Excel sheets.
- A Jupyter Notebook style editor pane helps manage and edit Python cells across multiple worksheets, improving usability compared to traditional formula bar editing.
This solution offers an exciting new way for users familiar with Excel to utilize Python’s full power for data manipulation, analysis, and visualization all within a single spreadsheet environment, helping teams collaborate more effectively and securely.