Ever wished you could do more with Microsoft Excel? Microsoft just announced the release of a public preview of Python in Excel, which would allow users to add Python code directly into a spreadsheet.
This would enable data analysts, engineers, marketers, and students learning data science to work with Python code to perform complex statistical analysis, advanced visualizations, predictive analytics, and machine learning in Excel.
Also: How to use ChatGPT to write Excel formulas
Users will be able to enter Python code directly into cells using the new =PY function, as Python will be integrated directly into the Excel grid, with no need to install additional software.
Microsoft explains that the new functionality leverages the Anaconda distribution of Python, an enterprise geared to data scientists and engineers that is also beginner-friendly. Anaconda includes many pre-packaged libraries and packages like pandas, Matplotlib, scikit-learn, NumPy, and SciPy.
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As a secure operation, Microsoft says Python in Excel runs on the Microsoft Cloud with enterprise-level security within the Microsoft 365 experience. This means that the code is executed on the Microsoft Cloud and not locally, in an isolated container using Azure Container Instances and separate from other processes to diminish the risk of unauthorized access.
Also: How to use ChatGPT to write code
The data in users' workbooks is controlled through the specific functions xl()and =PY() to ensure data is secure and only authorized operations are performed.
The public preview of the Python integration on Microsoft Excel will be available to Microsoft 365 Insiders using the Beta Channel in Excel for Windows.
Microsoft has been systematically working to Boost its Edge browser by adding new features and updates on a regular basis, positioning it as a compelling alternative to Google Chrome. Yet, sometimes issues still arise due to various bugs in the Chromium code. This tutorial shares the most effective troubleshooting tips you need to follow if Microsoft Edge is not responding.
Good to know: check out our list of keyboard shortcuts to quickly access the most useful Microsoft Edge features.
Before diving into specific solutions, try these general troubleshooting tips if you’re experiencing issues like Microsoft Edge not responding or crashes.
FYI: want to remove the Bing Chat button from Edge? We can show you how.
If Microsoft Edge is not responding, try properly closing it down via the Task Manager, then restart the browser. In most cases, this will fix the problem.
Tip: learn how to fix the “Task Manager has been disabled by administrator” error.
If the Edge browser opens but stops functioning, attempt to repair it. Before starting, make sure you’ve closed the Microsoft Edge browser and logged in with administrative privileges.
If your Edge browser is not responding properly, it could be because an extension is not working correctly. To troubleshoot this, follow the steps below to deactivate your installed extensions to see whether the problem has been resolved.
Tip: find yourself missing Internet Explorer? Learn how to bring IE back to Windows 11.
Microsoft Edge may fail to respond if you have too many tabs or other programs open on your Windows computer. If you have too many open, try closing all tabs and windows on your browser – except the one displaying the error message.
Additionally, shut down any other applications currently running on your Windows computer, including background apps and processes. If you are downloading a file, pausing until the issue has been resolved is better. Afterward, check to see whether you can access the tab that was not responding in Microsoft Edge.
Are you using third-party antivirus software, like Norton, McAfee or Kaspersky? If so, you must check whether the virus protection has expired or the software has become outdated. Obsolete or expired software may interfere with the functioning of Microsoft Edge.
Once you have identified the issue, you can renew your virus protection plan or download the latest security update from the software company’s website.
All of your apps are probably installed on the C:\ drive of your computer. If you’re experiencing frequent Microsoft Edge crashes, it’s worth checking the storage space on your main drive.
If the C:\ drive is running low, take prompt action to free up some space. If you’re not sure how to get started, learn how to clean up your C:\ drive.
FYI: learn how to block pop-ups on Windows in Microsoft Edge and other popular browsers.
Finally, it could be possible that your wireless network is the culprit. To determine whether this is the case, try accessing the webpage that is causing the Edge not responding issue with another browser, such as Chrome, Firefox, or Brave. If the page still won’t load, it’s likely an issue with your network or the website itself.
Try restarting your modem and router to see whether this resolves the problematic Edge situation. However, if the problem persists, there may be an issue with the website itself. In this case, there isn’t much you can do, except try again in a few hours or the next day.
If you still can’t get Edge to work properly, it may be worth reinstalling Microsoft Edge directly from its official website. As a final solution, try restoring the Edge browser settings to default. On the other hand, if your browser is working just fine, learn how to use split screen in Edge for improved multitasking.
Image credit: Unsplash. All screenshots by Meenatchi Nagasubramanian.
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Microsoft has signed a 15-year deal to license Call of Duty and other Activision Blizzard games to Ubisoft in its latest bid to win antitrust approval for its $68.7 billion acquisition.
“In January 2022, Microsoft announced the proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard to advance our goal to bring more creative and innovative games to players everywhere and on any device, said Brad Smith, president of Microsoft, in announcing the deal. “Today, we are taking another important step regarding this transaction. To address the concerns about the impact of the proposed acquisition on cloud game streaming raised by the UK Competition and Markets Authority, we are restructuring the transaction to acquire a narrower set of rights.”
Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick also praised the agreement and said the integration plan is proceeding.
The United Kingdom is the last country where antitrust clearance is needed for the deal to go through. One of its concerns was whether Microsoft would have a monopoly on cloud streaming technology.
“This includes executing an agreement effective at the closing of our merger that transfers the cloud streaming rights for all current and new Activision Blizzard PC and console games released over the next 15 years to Ubisoft Entertainment. The rights will be in perpetuity,” Smith said.
“As a result of the agreement with Ubisoft, Microsoft believes its proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard presents a substantially different transaction under UK law than the transaction Microsoft submitted for the CMA’s consideration in 2022. As such, Microsoft today has notified the restructured transaction to the CMA and anticipates that the CMA review processes can be completed before the 90-day extension in its acquisition agreement with Activision Blizzard expires on October 18,” Smith added.
Under the restructured transaction, Microsoft will not be in a position either to release Activision Blizzard games exclusively on its own cloud streaming service—Xbox Cloud Gaming – or to exclusively control the licensing terms of Activision Blizzard games for rival services, Smith said.
The agreement provides Ubisoft with a unique opportunity to commercialize the distribution of games via cloud streaming. The agreement will enable Ubisoft to innovate and encourage different business models in the licensing and pricing of these games on cloud streaming services worldwide. Ubisoft will compensate Microsoft for the cloud streaming rights to Activision Blizzard’s games through a one-off payment and through a market-based wholesale pricing mechanism, including an option that supports pricing based on usage. It will also provide Ubisoft the opportunity to offer Activision Blizzard’s games to cloud gaming services running non-Windows operating systems.
Smith also said, “Of importance, Microsoft’s obligations to provide cloud streaming rights in the European Economic Area remain in place, in full compliance with Microsoft’s commitments to the European Commission. The agreement with Ubisoft has been structured so that Microsoft will still acquire the rights needed to honor fully its legal obligations under its commitments to the European Commission, as well as its existing contractual obligations to other cloud game streaming providers, including Nvidia, Boosteroid, Ubitus, and Nware. Microsoft is engaging closely with the European Commission to support the EC’s assessment of the agreement and confirmation that the commitments remain undisturbed.”
Rivals like Sony and Nintendo have also signed deals, and in a trial that Microsoft won, Sony voiced its objections to Microsoft gaining a monopoly over Call of Duty. The transaction has been approved in more than 40 countries, and Microsoft said it will be good for players and the industry.
Ubisoft said these rights will further strengthen Ubisoft’s content offering through its subscription service Ubisoft+, as well as allowing Ubisoft to license streaming access of the Activision Blizzard catalog of games, including future releases, to cloud gaming companies, service providers, and console makers. This will help expand access for players across all streaming services, the French company said.
“We’re dedicated to delivering amazing experiences to our players wherever they choose to play,” said Chris Early, senior vice president of strategic partnerships and business development at Ubisoft. “Over the past 15 years we’ve built and honed our online services and distribution ecosystem into one of the most complete in the industry. Today’s deal will provide players even more opportunities to access and enjoy some of the biggest brands in gaming.”
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Microsoft Corp. is releasing a new version of Excel that will enable users to write and run Python code directly in the spreadsheet editor’s interface.
Stefan Kinnestrand, a general manager for product marketing at Microsoft, detailed the update in a blog post today. The Python support is currently available in public preview.
Excel includes data science features that can be used for tasks such as visualizing business information and finding the average value of customer purchases. According to Microsoft, the newly added Python support will extend those features. The programming language can be used to create more advanced data science workflows than those that Excel supports out of the box.
A worker could, for example, write a Python script that scans the data in an Excel spreadsheet and finds duplicate fields. Those fields can then be deleted to prevent them from lowering the accuracy of analyses. Furthermore, Python can be used to create data visualizations and train machine learning models.
“You can manipulate and explore data in Excel using Python plots and libraries, and then use Excel’s formulas, charts and PivotTables to further refine your insights,” Kinnestrand wrote.
Many of Python’s data science features are powered by Python modules. Those are prepackaged code components developed by the open-source community. Python modules usually have to be installed and configured manually by users, which can be a time-consuming process.
The new version of Excel skips that step. According to Microsoft, it runs on a version of Python called Anaconda Python that includes many popular data science modules in a preinstalled form. As a result, users don’t have to download any additional components or change settings to use Excel’s Python features.
One of the Python modules that Excel includes is Matplotlib. It allows users to run advanced statistical analyses on the data in a spreadsheet. Matplotlib supports several analysis methods including linear regression, which is commonly used in the enterprise to generate sales forecasts. Excel also supports seaborn, a module that can visualize the results of a Matplotlib-powered analysis in graphs.
Both Excel and Python are widely used in the enterprise. As a result, some data science teams already rely on Python scripts to analyze data in their spreadsheets. Until now, those scripts had to be written and run in a separate code editor, which required data scientists to regularly switch tabs.
Excel’s built-in Python support should simplify the workflow. According to Microsoft, users can add Python code to a spreadsheet without leaving the Excel interface. They must simply select a spreadsheet cell, type in their code with the prefix “=py” and specify the data on which the code should run.
Workers can import data into Excel for analysis using a set of built-in connections. Alternatively, they may use Microsoft’s Power Query tool for the task. The tool can not only import records into Excel from external applications but also change the data’s format to simplify processing.
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Microsoft has open sourced "ONNX Script," a library for authoring machine learning models in Python.
While Python has long been recognized as a go-to programming language for data science and is often used to author machine learning models, the new project focuses on clean, idiomatic Python syntax and composability through ONNX-native functions.
ONNX (Open Neural Network Exchange) is an open standard for machine learning interoperability, defining a common set of the building blocks of machine learning and deep learning models, called operators, along with a common file format to enable AI developers to use models with a variety of frameworks, tools, runtimes and compilers.
The ONNX Script project (housed on GitHub) seeks to help coders write ONNX machine learning models using a subset of Python regardless of their ONNX expertise, basically democratizing the approach.
"Prior to ONNX Script, authoring ONNX models required deep knowledge of the specification and serialization format itself," Microsoft said in an Aug. 1 announcement. "While eventually a more convenient helper API was introduced that largely abstracted the serialization format, it still required deep familiarity with ONNX constructs."
The ONNX Script site says it's intended to be:
Specifically, the new ONNX Script approach involves two deep Python integrations:
a + b
in Python would translate to the ONNX operator as Add(a, b)
.Primary components used to do that include:
ONNX Script was reportedly designed with debuggability in mind and also features front-and-center IntelliSense support as shown in the graphic below, a screenshot of Visual Studio Code displaying a hover tooltip for the ONNX Expand operator with inline documentation linking to full online documentation.
Along with helping developers write ONNX machine learning models without being ONNX experts, Microsoft said the project also serves as the foundation for its new PyTorch ONNX exporter to support TorchDynamo, which it dubbed "the future of PyTorch." TorchDynamo is described as a Python-level JIT compiler designed to make unmodified PyTorch programs faster.
PyTorch, meanwhile, is an open source machine learning/deep learning framework based on the Torch library, used for applications such as computer vision and natural language processing, driven by Facebook's AI Research lab, according to Wikipedia.
Microsoft said it will publish more information about that PyTorch ONNX exporter as PyTorch 2.1 nears general availability, for now only noting that ONNX Script is pervasive throughout the company's renewed approach.
"Going forward, we envision ONNX Script as a means for defining and extending ONNX itself," Microsoft said. "New core operators and higher-order functions that are intended to become part of the ONNX standard could be authored in ONNX Script as well, reducing the time and effort it takes for the standard to evolve. We have proven this is a viable strategy by developing Torchlib, upon which the upcoming PyTorch Dynamo-based ONNX exporter is built.
"Over the coming months, we will also support converting ONNX into ONNX Script to enable seamless editing of existing models, which can play a key role in optimization passes, but also allow for maintaining and evolving ONNX models more naturally. We also intend to propose ONNX Script for inclusion directly within the ONNX GitHub organization soon, under the Linux Foundation umbrella."
Microsoft announced enhancements to the “cameo” functionality in Microsoft PowerPoint for both Windows and Mac platforms.
A cameo in this context refers to a small video feed, often from a camera, that can be embedded into PowerPoint slides. This feature is particularly useful for presentations where you want to include live video content within your slides. Microsoft 365 subscribers can access cameo on the desktop app for Windows and macOS.
Here are the introduced enhancements:
You can learn more about how to apply this in your presentation here.
If you are utilizing these additional features, it has been reported that the camera may not appear when using the cameo. This could be because another application is using the camera. In this case, you may need to select a different camera or disable the camera for the other application.
These enhancements are available to Beta Channel users running specific versions:
These updates aim to provide users greater flexibility and control when integrating live camera feeds into their PowerPoint presentations. It’s a great way to make presentations more engaging and dynamic by incorporating real-time video content directly into your slides.