Publications by George Mount
How to list the worksheet names of an Excel workbook using Python Pandas
I’ve mentioned a few times on this blog (example) about the growing possibility for Python <> Excel interoperability. Here’s a simple task done in a way I wasn’t aware of (h/t — where else? — StackOverflow.)Usually when combining Python and Excel I use specific packages like openpyxl, xlwings or xlsxwriter for a very rich suite of tools...
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From Reddit to Slap Bass: It’s Not About The Cell Live!
Why is Domo not the answer? What does playing the bass have to do with developing a spreadsheet? Watch and learn! I had a spirited conversation with Oz du Soleil and Alex Powers on Alex’s It’s Not About the Cell live Facebook hangout.Topics ranged from Reddit’s Excel thread to online Excel communities in general. We then looked at Excel’...
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Request: I Need a Python Nudge
I’ve spent some quality nerd time over the past few weeks learning R for text mining.Then I learned a top researcher in the field uses Python, and has even posted his code online.And there’s something about Python.Of your charity…Know Python? Give me a boost. Like I said, the code is already written. I just need to get it to run on my m...
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Downloading Python
The best subject to teach is a subject that you apply yourself daily yourself.And the best thing to learn is something that you’ll actually use daily.My mix of data tools has shifted substantially from Excel to R and Python as of late. I still use Excel, but not for several hours every day, like I did before. Instead, I spend nearly as much tim...
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The Excel Magic 8 Ball
The blog has been quiet lately because I’ve been busy learning R and Python to complete a research project.And I’ve been missing Excel.But today I found a nice diversion.A Python Magic 8 BallThe best introduction to Python I have found is Al Sweigart’s Automate the Boring Stuff with Python. Get it for free at the link.As the title sugge...
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Go Open! Installing External Libraries in Python
One of the biggest differences is Python compared to Excel is that Python is open-source. Microsoft owns and operates Excel. While you can develop your own add-ins and user-defined functions, etc., it is still a proprietary product.By contrast, anyone can develop almost anything for Python and easily share it — Python is a totally public progra...
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Learning Guide: Introduction to Pandas, Half-day Workshop
In honor of National Panda day, I have put together a Stringfest learning guide on pandas, the popular Python module for data analysis and manipulation. Fun fact: the name pandas comes from so-called “panel data” in econometrics. The primary data structure of interest in pandas is the DataFrame, which is two-dimensional and tabular. This is ...
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Python-Powered Excel (O’Reilly Online Learning)
I’m pleased to present a new O’Reilly Online Learning session on Python-Powered Excel on Friday Sept 18th at 12p Eastern.The session is free to attend for all subscribers to the fantastic O’Reilly Online Learning platform. Check your employer or university for an institutional account, or really, consider signing up — and not just for thi...
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What is the “data analytics stack?”
A poor craftsman blames his tools. But if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.It’s common for web developers or database adminstrators to refer to their “stack” of tools used to do the job, but I’ve never heard this moniker used for data analysts. So it got me thinking, what is the data analytics stack?Data analysts mak...
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Python for Excel Users: First Steps (O’Reilly Media Online Learning)
I’m pleased to present a new O’Reilly Online Learning session entitled “Python for Excel Users: First Steps” on Friday October 30th at 12p Eastern.The session is free to attend for all subscribers to the fantastic O’Reilly Online Learning platform. Check your employer or university for an institutional account, or really, ...
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