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It's understandable why Microsoft would be slow-moving to incorporate new languages into Excel; what is popular now could change (eg if you add Python, do you a

It's understandable why Microsoft would be slow-moving to incorporate new languages into Excel; what is popular now could change (eg if you add Python, do you also do R?), and restricting the number of languages available means people in an office can more easily work with each other. But there has been progress! - Excel already has a native JavaScript API. [1] - They are seeking feedback on implementing Python as an Excel scripting language. [2] - It's a little esoteric / proprietary, but the language backing Excel's "Get & Transform" feature, M, is a noticeable jump in power. [3] Nevertheless, it's still surprising there hasn't been more innovation in the spreadsheet space given Excel's shortcomings. So I'm working on Mesh, a spreadsheet that feels more like a 'real' programming language (because it's just JavaScript). [4] [1] https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/garage/profiles/script-lab/ https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/garage/profiles/script-lab/ [2] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=15927132 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=15927132 [3] See, eg, https://powerpivotpro.com/2016/02/reviewlist-generate-create-tables-thin-air-power-bi-m/ https://powerpivotpro.com/2016/02/reviewlist-generate-create... [4] https://github.com/chrispsn/mesh https://github.com/chrispsn/mesh

mistermann 9y ago
I wasn't aware of that much progress on your first link.....I'm curious to know if at the same time they've put any effort into improving the half-assed Excel COM API. Totally agree on the Power Query thing, if they'd support pandas + power query + embeddable Power BI objects in Excel + seamless integration with cloud functionality (there's still no way to use Power Query in SSIS for goodness sake). Using pandas in an Azure function and then consuming that from Excel and displaying in Power BI visualizations, all within a nie little wrapper you can email around or whatever would just be a killer app. This is one of the few advantages Microsoft has over the Amazons and Googles, I wish they'd take advantage of it. The syntax in your example is lovely and this is something I've wanted in Excel for a very long time. EDIT: There is some interesting 3rd party innovation happening: https://www.xlwings.org/ https://www.xlwings.org/

mistermann 9y ago

I wasn't aware of that much progress on your first link.....I'm curious to know if at the same time they've put any effort into improving the half-assed Excel COM API. Totally agree on the Power Query thing, if they'd support pandas + power query + embeddable Power BI objects in Excel + seamless integration with cloud functionality (there's still no way to use Power Query in SSIS for goodness sake). Using pandas in an Azure function and then consuming that from Excel and displaying in Power BI visualizations, all within a nie little wrapper you can email around or whatever would just be a killer app. This is one of the few advantages Microsoft has over the Amazons and Googles, I wish they'd take advantage of it. The syntax in your example is lovely and this is something I've wanted in Excel for a very long time. EDIT: There is some interesting 3rd party innovation happening: https://www.xlwings.org/ https://www.xlwings.org/