will this kill VBA ?

[daveyc18]

Microsoft integrates the Python programming language into Excel - SiliconANGLE

Microsoft integrates the Python programming language into Excel - SiliconANGLE

siliconangle.com

 

[Larry Haydn]

I am thinking the addition of Python will be expanded functionality in the areas of data-mining and machine learning.
It should not replace VBA - not by a long shot.

 

[Joe4]

Every now and then someone sounds the alarm that VBA is going away, that either Microsoft is going to remove it or something else will replace.
However, that always is refuted by those in the know. Microsoft has no plans to remove VBA in the near future, and it is so imbedded in things that people have developed over the years, I don't think it would be quickly replaced by anything else.

So I think it is safe to say that it is still going to be around for a long while.

 

[daveyc18]

I guess to follow up

is python better than vba in an excel context ? has more capabilities?

 

[Larry Haydn]

I guess to follow up

is python better than vba in an excel context ? has more capabilities?

In terms of Excel functionality, nothing beats Excel VBA.
Python just provide additional functionality for big data, data mining, and analytics.

 

[Dan_W]

I guess to follow up

is python better than vba in an excel context ? has more capabilities?

It needs to be understood that this python contemplated here runs through Azure, which, to my mind, is hugely problematic for work purposes... we can't put client data on external servers ('the cloud'), so it's a non-starter as far as I'm concerned

Python running locally is a different matter, and arguably would run faster than VBA, but does it have the same capabilities as VBA? No. Not even close.

For one, you cannot save python code in a workbook, send it to someone, and have that code execute. Second, python doesn't allow you to take advantage of any of the user interface fixings available through VBA - like userforms, buttons, textboxes, images, etc etc etc.

People have been saying VBA will die for decades... it still hasn't.