Announcing o11's backing from Y Combinator.
Python in Excel vs. Native AI: Which should you choose in 2026?
When Microsoft announced the integration of Python into Excel via the =PY() function, it was hailed as the biggest upgrade to spreadsheets in a decade. For the first time, you could use libraries like pandas, matplotlib, and scikit-learn directly in a cell.
But as we move into 2026, a new question has emerged: Is learning Python still necessary for the modern analyst, or is Native AI (like o11) a more efficient solution?
Python in Excel: The Data Scientist’s Power Tool
Python in Excel is an incredible power-up for those who already speak the language. It allows for complex statistical analysis that native Excel functions simply can’t handle.
- Best Use Case: Heavy statistical modeling, Monte Carlo simulations, and advanced data visualization that requires more than a standard bar chart.
- The Bottleneck: To use Python effectively, you have to write code. You have to understand DataFrames, indexing, and library syntax. For the average Finance or Strategy Associate, this is a significant “learning tax” that has a diminishing ROI.
- Infrastructure: Python in Excel runs in the Microsoft Cloud. While secure, this can introduce latency and requires an active internet connection, which isn’t always available in high-security or remote environments.
o11: The Natural Language Alternative
o11 represents a different philosophy: The Democratization of Power. instead of requiring you to learn a new programming language, o11 uses Natural Language Processing to translate your English intent into complex Excel operations.
- Accessibility: You don’t need to know
df.groupby(). You simply say, “Group our sales by region and show me the top 3 products in each.” o11 builds the logic for you natively. - Speed: Because it’s an AI agent, it can perform multi-step tasks that would take 50 lines of Python code in a single prompt. “Clean this data, build a growth model, and create a waterfall chart for the results.”
- Native Integration: Unlike the
=PY()sandbox, o11 has deep access to the Excel Object Model and the broader Microsoft 365 suite. It can bridge your analysis directly into PowerPoint slides or Word memos—something Python in Excel cannot do.
The Comparison: 2026 Edition
| Feature | Python in Excel (=PY) | o11 (Native AI) |
|---|---|---|
| Learning Curve | High (Requires Code) | Zero (Plain English) |
| Workflow Speed | Medium (Writing Scripts) | Ultra-Fast (Agentic) |
| Cross-App Sync | No | Native (PPT/Word/Excel) |
| Statistical Power | Extreme | High (Purpose-Built) |
The Vertical Verdict
The choice between Python and Native AI depends on your role.
- Data Scientists will continue to use Python in Excel for its unmatched flexibility in statistical computing.
- Finance, Consulting, & Strategy Professionals are choosing o11. For most business workflows, the speed of Natural Language and the ability to link Excel data directly to PowerPoint deliverables is far more valuable than the ability to run a machine learning model in a cell.
Summary
In 2026, you don’t need to become a programmer to be an Excel power user. o11 provides the “Power of Python” with the “Ease of English,” allowing you to stay focused on your analysis and your presentation rather than your syntax.
