Security News > 2023 > August > Microsoft Excel to let you run Python scripts as formulas
Even if you join the Microsoft 365 Insiders Beta channel to test the new feature, there is no guarantee that Python in Excel will be available, as Microsoft is rolling it out slowly to test the feature.
The new Python in Excel feature brings a new 'PY' function that allows users to embed Python code directly in a cell to be executed like any macro or regular Excel function.
As the Python scripts will run in an isolated container, they will not have access to any local resources, including the local network, computer, files, and a Microsoft 365 authentication token.
"Python in Excel makes it possible to natively combine Python and Excel analytics within the same workbook - with no setup required," Microsoft explains in an announcement.
"With Python in Excel, you can type Python directly into a cell, the Python calculations run in the Microsoft Cloud, and your results are returned to the worksheet, including plots and visualizations."
"If you open a workbook that contains Python code from the internet, Excel Protected View won't run Python formulas in the workbook. If a workbook is opened with Microsoft Defender Application Guard, Python formulas don't run by default," explains Microsoft.