Dave on Data

The Dave on Data mission is to empower any professional (or team) with the DIY data science skills needed to unleash the power of AI technologies like Copilot in Excel.

What gets left out of the AI Hype Cycle is this:

AI will make you (or your team) wildly more productive.

**BUT**

You must have the requisite skills to make the most of AI.

**AND**

If these skills are lacking, you will not be able to recognize (and correct) the AI when it makes mistakes.

BTW - AI makes mistakes all the time.

Take Microsoft's Copilot in Excel AI as an example.

The "magical" scenarios where Copilot analyzes data using a few clicks and a couple of short prompts rely heavily on two things:

Python
Machine learning

Here's the thing, however. 

I've tested Copilot in Excel, which rarely generates the correct Python/machine learning code.

As the DIY data scientist, this is where you unleash Copilot's power.

I can teach you these DIY data science skills.

Regardless of role. Regardless of background.

Founder

TDWI

I develop and deliver live training experiences on data science topics such as data analysis and predictive analytics (e.g., machine learning). I focus on accelerating the data science journey for teams and organizations using a practical hands-on approach.

Training can be delivered virtually or in person with your team. The following offerings are certified by TDWI and can be taught using R or Python:

👉 Machine Learning Bootcamp
👉 Visual Data Analysis
👉 Linear/Logistic Regresion

💻 Learn more: https://daveondata.com/live-analytics-training

Data Science Consultant & Instructor

Schedulicity

VP of Analytics

Data Science Dojo

VP of Data Science

Microsoft

Sr. Director, BI and Analytics

Principal Program Manager

Sr. Director, Platform Architecture

Principal Architect

Ascentium Corp

Associate Partner, Solution Architect

Safeco Insurance

IT Architect

e-software, Inc.

Software Design Engineer

Programmer Analyst

I help ANY professional or team have more impact using data. Analytics demystified.

Want to differentiate yourself at work with Excel skills? Leaders aren't excited about this in 2025:

- Using PivotTables
- Knowing many Excel functions

You know what they're excited about: AI

And that means Copilot in Excel.

Here are the 4 steps to build the skills you need to master Copilot in Excel and impress your manager, business stakeholders, and executives:

1) Ignore "prompt engineering."
2) Learn Python.
3) Learn DIY data science.
4) Recognize hallucinations.

I want to help you own the future of Microsoft Excel.

I will help you get started today - for free.

Join 1,000s of professionals building skills for the future: 
https://daveondata.com/newsletter

David Langer

As an author, there's nothing quite like waking up to some good news from Amazon!

Back in May of 2023, I saw an early version of Python in Excel for the first time. I immediately knew I wanted to be a part of the most significant upgrade in Excel's analytics capabilities ever. 

And it didn't stop there.

When I first got access to Copilot in Excel's "advanced analysis" mode, I quickly saw Microsoft's vision for Excel's future. For professionals building Python analytics skills, the future of Excel lies in deep integration with Copilot AI to unleash the power of their data.

My book is the first step in building the skills for Excel's AI-powered future. It uses your existing knowledge of Excel to help you learn the Python foundation you need - fast.

If you're ready to make 2026 the year you embrace the power of Excel, AI, and data, you can pre-order my book here: https://lnkd.in/eQp4g5_d

#Excel #PythonInExcel #MicrosoftExcel

I help professionals and teams build better forecasts using machine learning with Python and Python in Excel.

Interesting behavior from Copilot in Excel. Just another example of how Python in Excel skills are part of Excel's AI-powered future.

I was working on the next issue of my LinkedIn newsletter, which will cover using AI to build better forecasts in Microsoft Excel, and asked Copilot to create a forecast for me.

I was surprised to see that Copilot didn't use Excel's FORECAST.ETS() function because that's the best way to build data-driven forecasts using native Excel features.

Instead, Copilot in Excel generated Python code in the background to build an ETS model similar to what would be produced from FORECAST.ETS() using Python's mighty statsmodels library.

BTW - I covered statsmodels in my last two LinkedIn newsletter articles.

I'm betting that the new Copilot in Excel Agent Mode will be able to manipulate worksheets (e.g., generating formulas) directly and will be able to generate forecasts using FORECAST.ETS().

However, I'm also betting the Agent Mode will eventually be smart enough to recognize when a better forecasting technique is available from Python and use that instead.

Which means that the AI-powered future of Microsoft Excel will belong to those professionals who develop Python skills.

Stay healthy and happy data sleuthing!

#Excel #PythonInExcel #MicrosoftExcel

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