How to Use Python in Excel: A Complete Guide with Examples

Both Excel and Python are powerful tools, but when they are combined, working with data becomes even easier and smarter. The Python in Excel feature allows you to analyse, clean, and visualise data by writing Python code right within the spreadsheet without any external software.

In this blog, you will learn step-by-step how to use Python in Excel. Whether you are a beginner or have some experience, this guide will show you, through simple examples and easy tips, how you can automate and improve your daily Excel tasks using Python.

Table of Contents

1) What is Python in Excel?

2) Benefits of Using Python in Excel

3) How to Use Python in Excel

4) ython Function in Excel

5) Excel Plots in Python

6) What can I do with Python in Excel?

7) What License do you need for Python in Excel?

8) Conclusion

What is Python in Excel?

Python in Excel means running Python code within Excel. This integration lets you analyse, clean, visualise, and automate data without leaving Excel. The simple interface of Excel and the powerful libraries of Python together make your work very easy and fast.

This feature is especially useful for people who work with large datasets. You can read, update and format Excel sheets by writing Python code. For example, the Openpyxl library helps you perform tasks such as reading/writing cells, creating charts, and conditional formatting. Python in Excel automates repetitive work which otherwise takes a lot of time to do manually.

Benefits of Using Python in Excel

Using Python in Excel can significantly enhance your ability to analyse data, automate tasks, and create advanced models. Here are some key benefits:

Advanced-Data Analysis

Python offers powerful libraries like pandas, numpy, and matplotlib that can handle complex data manipulations, statistical analysis, and visualisations, which Excel alone may not manage efficiently.

Automation

Python can automate repetitive tasks in Excel, such as data cleaning, updating reports, or generating charts. This reduces manual effort and saves time.

Integration with Other Tools

Python allows you to integrate Excel with other tools and platforms (e.g., APIs, databases, web scraping) to enhance data collection, update reports from live data, and share insights across various systems.

Custom Functions

You can write custom functions in Python that are not natively available in Excel. This opens up opportunities for solving complex problems that require more than just standard formulas.

Enhanced Data Visualisation

Python libraries like matplotlib, seaborn, and Plotly can create sophisticated, interactive visualisations beyond Excel's built-in charting capabilities.

Handling Large Datasets

Python can handle larger datasets more efficiently than Excel, especially when dealing with data that exceeds Excel’s row or column limits.

Machine Learning and AI

Python allows you to build and deploy Machine Learning models directly within Excel, providing advanced predictive analytics and AI capabilities without leaving the Excel environment.

Code Reusability

Python scripts can be saved and reused, allowing for the easy replication of workflows and processes without re-entering formulas or steps in Excel.

Increased Flexibility

Python enables Excel users to handle tasks like web scraping, Natural Language Processing, and even complex financial modelling that would be challenging to do in Excel alone.

Collaborative and Scalable

Python allows for code sharing and version control, which helps improve collaboration in teams and supports scalable solutions for data analysis, making Excel workflows more robust and efficient.

How to Use Python in Excel

To start using Python in Excel:

1) Install Python: Download from python.org

2) Install Libraries: Install essential libraries using:

3) Choose an Integration Method:

a) xlwings: Enables Python interaction with Excel. Install xlwings and the Excel add-in.

b) Python in Excel (Microsoft): Available for Microsoft 365 users to run Python code directly in Excel.

c) PyXLL: A paid tool for seamless integration.

d) Jupyter Notebooks: For data manipulation outside Excel using pandas.

4) Write Python Scripts: Example with xlwings:

5) Use pandas for Excel File Manipulation:

6) Integrate with VBA (Optional): Use VBA to call Python functions

Python Function in Excel

Using the Python function in Excel means that you can write Python code from within an Excel cell. This allows you to analyse data, automate tasks, and create smart reports – all without leaving Excel.

If you know how to use Excel formulas such as VLOOKUP or Pivot Table, you will find the PY function even more helpful. You can easily do calculations, charts, and data cleanup with Python directly within an Excel sheet.

Utilising the PY Function in Excel

The PY function is just like an Excel formula, except that you write Python code. With this function, you can:

1) clean data

2) Create quick summaries like sum, mean, and max.

3) Create graphs using Python libraries

4) Join two data lists like Excel's VLOOKUP

You just write =PY("...") and enter Python code in it. Excel will run that code and give the result. This makes the combo of Excel and Python super useful.

Leveraging Pandas with the PY Function

Pandas is a popular Python library that works with tabular data just like Excel. By using Pandas with PY function, you can:

1) Import CSV file with .read_csv()

2) do work like VLOOKUP with .merge()

3) Create pivot table with .pivot_table()

4) Do analysis like SumIF or CountIF with .groupby()

5) See quick stats with .describe()

Pandas is faster and more flexible than Excel. You can easily handle large data, create reports, and save time.

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Excel Plots in Python

Creating plots in Excel using Python involves leveraging Python’s data visualisation libraries, such as Matplotlib or Seaborn, within the Excel environment. These libraries enables you to generate a wide range of static, interactive, and animated visualisations directly from your data.

Here’s how you can create plots in Excel with Python:

a) Prepare Your Data: Organise your data within Excel, ensuring it’s ready for analysis.

b) Write Python Code: Use the Python scripting area in Excel to write your plotting code.

c) Use Plotting Libraries: Import libraries like Matplotlib or Seaborn to create the plots.

d) Visualise: Execute the Python code to render the plot. The visualisation can then be embedded into your Excel workbook.

For example, to create a simple line plot, you might use the following Python code:

What can I do with Python in Excel?

With Python in Excel, you can automate tasks, perform advanced data analysis, build statistical models, clean data, and generate visualisations like graphs and charts—all within your spreadsheet.

What License do you need for Python in Excel?

Python in Excel is available through Microsoft 365 with a suitable subscription, providing access to Python integration directly within Excel.

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Conclusion

Python in Excel significantly enhances your ability to automate processes, analyse complex data, and develop custom solutions. By leveraging tools like xlwings and pandas, you can seamlessly integrate Python into Excel, streamlining workflows and improving productivity. This combination empowers you to unlock advanced capabilities, transforming Excel into a more robust and efficient data analysis and reporting tool.

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