Python in Excel now available with Copilot

Normally I am afraid of snakes, but this time I felt excitement. ????

Python ?? is here! Let's take a closer look at one of the most requested Copilot features in Excel.

This is really cool! Because now you can get more out of Copilot, like a developer, without having to program. Even though I'm a computer science major, this is even more helpful for me ?? ( David Luescher I wish we had a tool like this during our studies ??)

A snake in Excel? What is happening here?

-- The following section is created by Copilot --

Python is a high-level, interpreted programming language known for its simplicity and readability. Created by Guido van Rossum and first released in 1991, Python emphasizes code readability with its use of significant indentation. This makes it easier to write and understand code, even for beginners.

Key Features of Python:

• Easy to Learn and Use: Python's syntax is clear and intuitive, making it an excellent choice for beginners.
• Versatile: Python can be used for web development, automation, scientific computing, artificial intelligence, and more.
• Large Standard Library: Python comes with a vast library of modules and packages, which can help you perform various tasks without writing additional code.
• Community Support: Python has a large and active community, which means plenty of resources, tutorials, and libraries are available.

Why Python is Popular for Data Analysis

Python has become a go-to language for data analysis for several reasons:

1. Libraries and Frameworks: Python offers powerful libraries like Pandas, NumPy, Matplotlib, and SciPy that simplify data manipulation, analysis, and visualization.
2. Ease of Learning: Its simple syntax allows data analysts to focus on solving problems rather than struggling with complex code.
3. Integration: Python can easily integrate with other languages and tools, making it versatile for various data analysis tasks.
4. Community and Support: A large community means continuous development and support, with many tutorials and forums available to help solve problems.
5. Flexibility: Python can handle different types of data and perform a wide range of data analysis tasks, from basic statistics to complex machine learning algorithms.

--End of Copilot generated content --

Advanced Analysis with Python in Excel

Once we understand that Python is a great language for data analysis, it would be great to use it as well. Two weeks ago it would have been super hard for me to use Python in Excel, but since last week it's done in a few minutes.

?? Here's a shortcut: Want to see the key points in under 2 minutes? watch my video ????

So I have an Excel with sample sales files and now I want to understand and analyze them better.

How to launch Python in Excel with Copilot

Once you open Copilot in Excel, you'll see a new suggested 'prompt' called 'Advanced Analysis'.

After that you have to enter the advanced analysis mode (beast moooooode! ??).

Let the fun begin ??

Now the "magic" happens ?? Copilot and Python start preparing the data to start your advanced analysis.

To perform a deeper analysis, it is essential to explore various aspects of the data. This includes analyzing the distribution of numerical variables, identifying correlations between variables, and examining any potential patterns or trends. The following steps will be taken: 1. Generate summary statistics for the dataset. 2. Visualize the distribution of numerical variables. 3. Calculate and visualize the correlation matrix. 4. Identify any significant patterns or trends in the data.

Let's Python your Day

eeeeh Copilot Your Day ??

Once the summary is created, you can start interacting with Copilot. For example, let's look at the correlation.

?? This is what Copilot generated as Python code.

"=PY(""#Visualize the correlation matrix with a heatmap
#Visualize the correlation matrix with a heatmap
plt.figure(figsize=(10, 8))
sns.heatmap(correlation_matrix, annot=True, cmap='coolwarm', fmt='.2f', linewidths=0.5)
plt.title('Correlation Matrix Heatmap')
plt.show()"",1)"        

and here's the output

But I do not like so many numbers, I like it as a heatmap - no worries, Copilot does that as well.

And as always, you can use Copilot to make sense of your data. Just ask Copilot.

And please be aware that it's still a new feature and always check the output to make sure it's correct and makes sense to you.

Of course, it's easier to check if you have a basic or advanced understanding of data analysis, but it's a great way to get started.

Have you already tested Python in Excel with Copilot? Let me know your first thoughts.

M365 Copilot Play to Win! Event next week

If you're located in Switzerland and are Business decision maker or responsible for Copilot or AI in your organization? We are more than happy to invite you to our Copilot event. Feel free to register yourself

Hey, I'm Pascal - nice to meet you!

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