A "hot take" post to engage beginners who fear complex coding but know basic Excel
Excel is Not Dead: Why It’s Still the #1 Tool for Data Analysts In the era of Python, AI, and big data platforms, many beginners assume spreadsheets are outdated. But here’s a hot take: Excel is still one of the most powerful starting tools for data analysts—especially for students who already know the basics. Let’s look at the reality. Studies show that 62% of data analysts still use Excel as a primary tool, and around 70% of analysts rely on it in their daily work. Even more interesting, Excel appears in over 40% of data analyst job postings, proving that companies still expect this skill. So why does Excel refuse to die? 1. It Builds Data Thinking Before writing complex Python scripts, analysts must understand data structure, cleaning, and calculations. Excel functions like Pivot Tables , VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP , and formulas teach these concepts visually. 2. It’s the Universal Language of Business Reports, dashboards, and quick analysis are still done in Excel across industries. ...