Python for Excel Users

Boost Productivity Without Becoming a Programmer

by Tracy Stephens

Fall 2025, 328 pp.

ISBN-13:

9781718503984

Download Chapter 8: Retrieving External Data with APIs

Look Inside!

Excel is a mainstay of the modern workplace, but it isn’t up to every task. Python for Excel Users offers a better way, showing how relatively simple programming can greatly boost productivity by streamlining workflows and adding new tools to the reader’s toolbox - no programming experience required. Uses include:

Generating beautiful data visualizations
Creating interactive reports and dashboards
Tracking collaborative projects

This book leverages what readers already know about Excel to introduce useful coding applications. Practical examples illustrate how programming skills can be immediately applied to the reader’s day-to-day work.

Author Bio

Tracy Stephens is a quantitative developer based in New York City. Her experience includes building systematic trading strategies at some of the world’s top financial institutions. A long-time Python evangelist, she focuses on designing quantitative infrastructure that’s flexible, explainable, and efficient---when she can successfully keep her one-eyed tuxedo cat off her keyboard.

Table of contents

Introduction

PART I: FROM SPREADSHEETS TO CODE
Chapter 1: Python Setup Essentials to Get You Started
Chapter 2: Python Concepts Explained Through Excel
Chapter 3: Creating Automations with Python Scripts
Chapter 4: Keeping Track of Code with Version Control

PART II: DATA ANALYSIS DONE RIGHT
Chapter 5: Interactive Coding for Data Analysis
Chapter 6: Data Manipulation Made Easy
Chapter 7: Storing and Accessing Data with a Database
Chapter 8: Retrieving External Data with APIs
Chapter 9: Visualizing Data with Charts
Chapter 10: Sharing Data with Interactive Reports

PART III: CRAFTING GOOD CODE
Chapter 11: Writing Simple, Scalable Code with Classes
Chapter 12: Debugging and Testing Your Code
Chapter 13: Three Habits for Effective Coding

Afterword

The chapters in red are included in this Early Access PDF.