Introduction to Python in Excel
Python in Excel is currently in preview and is subject to change based on feedback. To use this feature, join the Microsoft 365 Insider Program and choose the Current Channel (Preview) Insider level.
This feature is gradually rolling out to Enterprise, Business, Education, and Family and Personal users running Current Channel (Preview) on Windows. It's rolling out to Excel for Windows first, starting with Version 2406 (Build 17726.20016), and then to other platforms at a later date. For more availability information, see Python in Excel availability.
If you encounter any concerns with Python in Excel, please report them by selecting Help > Feedback in Excel.
What is Python in Excel?
Python in Excel brings the power of Python analytics into Excel. Use it to process data in Excel with Python code. You type Python directly into a cell, the Python calculations run in the Microsoft cloud, and your results are returned to the worksheet.
Python in Excel comes with a core set of Python libraries provided by Anaconda. Use Python libraries to simplify your data analysis, find patterns and hidden insights, and visualize your data with plots. To learn more, see Open-source libraries and Python in Excel.
How to enable the Python in Excel preview
To use Python in Excel, join the Microsoft 365 Insider Program and choose the Current Channel (Preview) Insider level.
Don’t have Insider access? Sign up with your Microsoft, work, or school account to be notified about future availability for Python in Excel.
Tip: Choose the Beta Channel Insider level to access Python in Excel features that haven't yet been released to Current Channel (Preview).
After you've installed the latest Current Channel (Preview) build of Excel, take the following steps.
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Select Formulas in the ribbon.
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Select Insert Python.
Note: You can also enable the Python in Excel preview by entering =PY into an Excel cell and then choosing PY from the function AutoComplete menu.
Important: While Python in Excel is in preview, all Excel for Windows customers using the Current Channel (Preview) or Beta Channel can add or edit Python formulas with premium compute speeds. After the preview, access to premium compute will require a paid license. Please note that users will still be able to use Python in Excel at standard compute speeds without a paid license. More details will be available before general availability.
Start analyzing data right away with Get started with Python in Excel.
Platform availability
Python in Excel is available in Excel for Windows. The feature is not available on the following platforms.
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Excel for Mac
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Excel on the web
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Excel for iPad
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Excel for iPhone
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Excel for Android
On unsupported platforms, workbooks containing Python can be viewed but Python cells display an error when recalculated. For more availability information, see Python in Excel availability.
Note: Python in Excel requires Microsoft Edge WebView2.
Python runs in the cloud
Python in Excel calculations run in the Microsoft Cloud with a standard version of the Python language. Python in Excel comes with a core set of Python libraries provided by Anaconda through a standard, secure distribution. To learn more, see Data security and Python in Excel.
You don't need a local version of Python to use Python in Excel. If you have a local version of Python installed on your computer, any customizations you've made to that Python installation won’t be reflected in Python in Excel calculations.
To use Python in Excel, you need internet access.
Preview terms of use
If you have a Microsoft 365 Family or Personal subscription, your use of this preview is governed by the Microsoft Services Agreement.
If you have a Microsoft 365 Business/Education subscription, your use of this preview is governed by the Product Terms. Also, please note that notwithstanding the limitations in the Preview provision of the Microsoft Products and Services Data Protection Addendum (DPA), the following terms in the DPA apply to this preview: Processing of Personal Data, GDPR, and Data Security.