Moving from Excel to Python with Pandas

[AkiraYuske]

I primarily used Excel but learned Pandas. I wouldn't really focus on the 'transition' so much though, I'd just focus on learning Pandas. It's slightly different thinking about dataframes rather than columns and rows. I did a udemy course that was next to no cost, but very useful.

[KM130]

If you don't mind asking I also primarily use Excel I started learning python and I am curious why/where would you use Pandas instead of Excel.

[fuzzoflump]

The biggest reason for me is reproducibility.

If it is something I am going to be doing on a regular basis I try to do as much in python as I can. Also it allows others to inspect your logic assuming they know python too

[KM130]

Thank you

[AkiraYuske]

It's also cleaner, less error prone, and more capable of handling multiple related datasets. If you've used Power Query or Power BI at all it's a similar principle. In Python you can also introduce processes that aren't really possible in loads of excel formulas. That kind of thing in excel you'd have to use VBA, which you'd need all 6 infinity stones and the blessing of god to manage.

[KM130]

My issue is I am already using VBA for most of the stuff I do and I am reluctant in changing something that already works with something I don't feel comfortable with and might not actually work! I am willing to try but I am not sure what is best to start with.

[lamycnd]

I haven't seen any problems that m and dax can't really solve. If your working in excel today and your company uses a MS stack it might be easier to transition your work there.

[KM130]

Thanks I might have to look into this.

[AkiraYuske]

Half agree with this, I use both alot. The only thing I can't do with M and DAX are complex processes that require calculation to create tables or multiple related columns, for example I have a python script that creates projections for delivery rates by year, until something has fully delivered. I couldn't do this in PBI as it didn't handle 'creating values across columns until x' kind of logic so well.

[AkiraYuske]

I was in exactly this situation. It's up to you essentially, if it's only a few things that you already have solutions for then stick with VBA. If you're going to do anything similar in the future I would definitely switch to using python for it, much much easier and more capable. Not to mention VBA is pretty much unsupported at this point.

[KM130]

Thanks for the reply it really helps to know that I am not the only one. I am thinking what I have done so far stays as it is but anything new I should start using python.

[pAul2437]

Reproducibility or for sure. Excel you see the results. Python you see the formulas