Python in Excel

Question

Dear Community,

I seek to enable Python in Excel.

I have a Microsoft 365 Family subscription, joined the Windows Insider Program at the Beta level option; in Excel -> Account the Update Options for Microsoft 365 and Office Updates ‘Update Now’ returns ‘You’re up to date! The latest version of Microsoft 365 and Office are installed on your computer’; the ‘About Excel’ shows ‘Microsoft® Excel® for Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2308 Build 16.0.16731.20052) 64-bit’; I have restarted the PC a few times; and when opening up a blank Excel workbook and navigating to Formulas in the ribbon, there is no ‘Insert Python’ icon appearing and ‘=PY’ and ‘=PY(‘ in the formula bar results in ‘#NAME?’ in the Excel Worksheet cell.

In the I have Excel Beta, how do I install Python? - Microsoft Community post, Max HPO writes on 31 Aug 23 “Just want to add a more correct version of this, based on contact with microsoft support just now, only certain microsoft insider members in the beta channel get python access in excel. Found this out the hard way after buying office 365 just for python in excel only to get that disappointing answer after the fact.”

Wondering if I am in the same boat as Max HPO, and one of the Microsoft insider members in the beta channel that won’t get Python in Excel, and if so, how may I know either way?

Thank you in advance for any advice on this matter.

Sincerely,

Scotty

Answer 1

Good morning, Scott.

Thanks for reaching out to our Microsoft Community Forum. Please accept our sincerest hope that all is well.

We understand that the public preview of Python in Excel isn't working for you. This is despite signing up to the Microsoft 365 Insider Program and using the latest build of the Beta Channel of Microsoft 365. In addition, you would like to know if special priority is given to content creators.

As explained in the article below, "Python in Excel is gradually rolling out to Public Preview for those in the Microsoft 365 Insiders program Beta Channel. This feature will roll out to Excel for Windows first, starting with build 16818, and then to the other platforms at a later date."

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-365-blog/introducing-python-in-excel-the-best-of-both-worlds-for-data/ba-p/3905482

Emphasis on the word "gradually" by the article's author. This article when first published last week actually had this to say:

CLICK TO VIEW PHOTO

In any case, the article further states, "Don’t have it yet? It’s probably us, not you. Features are released over time to ensure things are working smoothly. We highlight features that you may not have because they’re slowly releasing to larger numbers of Insiders. Sometimes we remove elements for further improvement based on your feedback. Though this is rare, we also reserve the option to pull a feature entirely out of the product even if you, as an Insider, have had the opportunity to try it."

This article was published August 22, 2023, so it's probably taking time for Python in Excel to be released to everyone on a global scale. In fact, in the link I provided above there is actually an option to be notified about availability. See the photo below. Please make use of this option for now.

CLICK TO VIEW PHOTO

Feel free to reply to this thread if you need further clarification.

Sincerely,

Glenn Rue

Forum Moderator

Microsoft Community

Answer 2

Good morning Glenn,

I trust all is good for you.

Thank you v much for your timely, comprehensive, and helpful response. I have sought to be notified about availability as suggested.

Sincerely,

Scott

Answer 3

You're welcome, Scott.

Glad to know I was able to shed some light on this mystifying issue for you.

At any rate, if you need help with other Microsoft products in the future, feel free to start a new thread here in the community. It's always our goal to help you get the most out of said products. Refer to the link and photo below on how to create a new thread.

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/newthread?threadtype=Questions&cancelurl=%2Fen-us%2F

Thanks again for choosing Microsoft! We’re here when you need us.

Respectfully,

Glenn