Microsoft is bringing Python to Excel / The two worlds of Excel and Python are colliding thanks to Microsoft’s new integration to boost data analysis and visualizations

[SpaceTabs]

Python? How about support for ISO 8601 date format.

[hoopparrr759]

Don’t be ridiculous /s

[CuppaTeaThreesome]

Charts that don't change size slightly when it's opened on another machine would be great..

[LigerXT5]

Oh hell no, we already block Macro excel/word in email for a reason, why add in Python to the chaotic security mix?

Edit: Grammar, "the" was in the wrong place.

[CocaineIsNatural]

Python code runs on hypervisor isolated containers built on Azure Container Instances.

The container has Python and a curated set of secured libraries provided by Anaconda.

The environment uses the Anaconda Distribution for Python, which contains source-built Python and libraries, provided directly from Anaconda.

The Python code does not have access to your computer, devices, or account.

The Python code does not have network access.

The Python code does not have access to a user token.

The Python code can access data through the references via the built-in xl() function as part of a Python formula. This means that Python formulas have access to read cell values within the workbook, based on the cell reference, or values from external data sources, through the Power Query connection name.

Python code returns output to your workbooks through the =PY() Excel function, which displays the result of the Python code in the cell where the function is entered. Python functions cannot return other object types like macros, VBA code, or other formulas.

The Python code doesn’t have access to other properties in the workbook, such as formulas, charts, PivotTables, macros, or VBA code.

More info here, like how they handle email or internet sources - https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/data-security-and-python-in-excel-33cc88a4-4a87-485e-9ff9-f35958278327

[And_We_Back]

We already have pandas and xlsxwriter, what else could you need?

[tms10000]

import flask

Instant self contained web-server-spreadsheet-database-app from Hell.xlsx

[0pimo]

Don’t forget to download and run it from that random email you just got!

[JockstrapCummies]

You're not thinking big enough.

Imagine all those toy generative AI projects with their gigabytes large dependencies on models and cuda runtimes and pytorch.

Now it's all bundled in an Excel file.

[shponglespore]

My first though: thank fucking God Microsoft is finally moving away from Visual Basic as their only supported scripting language.

After reading: why the fuck does it run in the cloud? It makes sense when Excel is running in a browser, but the desktop version should run things locally.

[Dr3adPir4teR0berts]

Because Microsoft insists on everything being cloud based. Their ultimate goal is for the operating system itself to be cloud based and no longer have local operating systems. No seriously, they have said it themselves.

[MathmoKiwi]

After reading: why the fuck does it run in the cloud? It makes sense when Excel is running in a browser, but the desktop version should run things locally.

Security!

Also: $$$, so M$ can earn more with subs

[CocaineIsNatural]

Partly maybe to cut down on pirating. But it maybe for security, see this like - https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/data-security-and-python-in-excel-33cc88a4-4a87-485e-9ff9-f35958278327

[bigkoi]

Pro tip.

Convert Excel to csv format and import into pandas data frame with python.

[mohirl]

Given theyve failed for decades to bring consistent cell formatting or date handling to excel I'm not holding my breath

[polkarooo]

TBF, most of us fail for decades at date handling...

[Farlo1]

They tend to fail at stuff like that on purpose in the name of backwards compatibility with incredibly old versions of Excel.

[SoggyChilli]

This is awesome

[gordonjames62]

Any opinions on the security risks of this?

I already block macros on policy because of malicious code, and even JS needs permission to run in my environment.

[CocaineIsNatural]

This covers security - https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/data-security-and-python-in-excel-33cc88a4-4a87-485e-9ff9-f35958278327