Getting to know Python in Excel

In this chapter, you will:

• Learn how to access Python in Excel

• Start using Python in Excel

• Enter data using Python in Excel

• Preview the preinstalled Python libraries

• Define arrays with NumPy

• Learn about Python in Excel entities

• Recognize Python in Excel error codes

• Explore Python objects

Accessing Python in Excel

At the time of writing, the standard version of Python in Excel is generally available to a variety of Microsoft 365 users:

• Users with Enterprise and Business licenses running the Current Channel (that is, the channel that receives the latest updates as they become available) on Windows with Version 2408 (Build 17928.20114) or later

• Users of the Monthly Enterprise Channel on Windows with Version 2408 (Build 17928.20216) or later

• Users of Excel on the web with Enterprise and Business licenses

Users of these licenses can access Python in Excel and do not need to perform any installations.

Python in Excel is also available as a preview for users with Family and Personal licenses in Excel on the web or running the Current Channel on Windows with Build 17628.20164.

Python in Excel is not currently available on the following editions:

• Excel for Mac

• Excel for iPad

• Excel for iPhone

• Excel for Android

If a user accessing a workbook containing Python formulas does not have access to Python in Excel, they can view the data but not recalculate it. You will learn more about this later in the chapter.

Using the standard version of Python in Excel

If you use the standard version of Python in Excel, you can complete all the Python in Excel examples throughout this book. You can also create Python formulas from an Excel workbook and access Python libraries compatible with the Anaconda platform. The calculations will be automatically performed in the cloud using enterprise-level security. The speed of the calculations will be standard, although you may have limited access to premium compute, a feature that enables faster computing speeds. We’ll talk about this shortly.

Upgrading to the Python in Excel add-on license

If you have one of the Microsoft licenses listed earlier, you are eligible to purchase the Python in Excel add-on license, which is an upgrade to standard Python in Excel. You can do this through the Microsoft 365 admin center. At the time of writing, the cost is $24 per user per month. Compared to the standard version of Python in Excel, the Python in Excel add-on license allows you to perform calculations more quickly (via the premium compute feature) and gives you more control over how frequently the Python calculations are performed. You will find out more about this later in the chapter.

If you have recently upgraded to a Microsoft 365 license that includes Python in Excel or recently purchased the Python in Excel add-on, you may not see the Python in Excel features immediately. According to Microsoft, the features enabled by the license update may take time to update automatically, depending on your setup. If this happens and you need to access standard Python in Excel or premium add-on features, you can update your license manually. To do so, go to File > Account, and you will see the screen shown in Figure 2-1, where you can click Update License.

FIGURE 2.1 To access the option to manually update your license, go to the File tab and select Account.

Interpreting license messages in standard Python in Excel

As mentioned earlier, you have some limited access to faster computing speeds with the standard Python in Excel functionality. These pop-up messages let you know if you have this access and if you have reached your allotted monthly limit:

• Python in Excel: You’re using premium Python compute. Your workbook is using Python in Excel, and you have access to faster formula calculation times with your Microsoft 365 subscription.

• Python in Excel: You're close to using all of your monthly premium Python compute. Your premium compute limit will soon be reached. After reaching the monthly premium compute limit, any Python code in your workbooks will be calculated using standard computing speeds for the rest of the month.

• Limit Exceeded: You're using standard Python in Excel calculation speeds. Any Python code in your workbooks will be calculated using standard computing speeds for the rest of the month.