109565 – Excel: Record spreadsheet actions using Office Scripts (archived)

Product:

Microsoft 365 Apps

Platform:

Mac, Web, Windows Desktop, World tenant

Status:

Launched

Change type:

New feature, Admin impact, User impact

Links:

Details:

With this update, you can now record spreadsheet actions into a replayable Office Script in Excel for Windows and Mac. Office Scripts is a feature that enables you to automate repetitive spreadsheet tasks that was previously only available in Excel for the web.

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
Current Channel

Created:
2023-01-05

updated:
2024-07-03

Docu to Check

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MS workload name

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Direct effects for Operations**

- Impact on IT Operations
- Increased demand for support and training on Office Scripts
- Roles impacted: IT Support Staff, Training Coordinators
- Potential for increased automation errors during initial adoption phase
- Roles impacted: IT Administrators, Application Managers

- Impact on IT Services
- Integration challenges with existing automation tools and workflows
- Roles impacted: IT Service Managers, Application Developers
- Need for updates to documentation and user guides to reflect new features
- Roles impacted: IT Documentation Specialists, Knowledge Base Managers

- Impact on IT Users
- Learning curve associated with new scripting capabilities may lead to temporary productivity loss
- Roles impacted: End Users, Business Analysts
- Enhanced ability to automate tasks may lead to increased user satisfaction and efficiency in the long term
- Roles impacted: All Excel users, Project Managers

- Dependencies and Interdependencies
- Dependence on existing Excel features and functionalities that may be affected by new scripts
- Roles impacted: IT Administrators, Application Support Teams
- Interdependency with other Microsoft 365 services (e.g., SharePoint, Teams) that may utilize automated scripts
- Roles impacted: IT Integration Specialists, Collaboration Tool Administrators

- Compliance and Security Considerations
- Need to ensure that automated scripts comply with organizational data governance policies
- Roles impacted: Compliance Officers, Data Protection Officers
- Potential security risks associated with user-generated scripts that may access sensitive data
- Roles impacted: IT Security Teams, Risk Management Officers

References:
- Microsoft Office Scripts Overview: [Microsoft Documentation](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/office/dev/scripts/overview/excel)
- Microsoft 365 Updates: [Microsoft 365 Blog](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/)

Opportunities**

- Automate Repetitive Tasks
- Opportunity to implement Office Scripts to automate common spreadsheet tasks, reducing manual effort and increasing efficiency.
- Roles that might profit: Data Analysts, Financial Analysts, and Administrative Assistants.
- Reference: [Microsoft Office Scripts Overview](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/office/dev/scripts/overview/excel)

- Enhance User Experience
- By utilizing Office Scripts, users can create custom scripts tailored to their specific needs, improving their overall experience with Excel.
- Roles that might profit: All Excel users, particularly those in project management and reporting roles.
- Reference: [Getting Started with Office Scripts](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/office/dev/scripts/getting-started/excel)

- Reduce Training Time
- With the ability to record actions, new users can quickly learn how to perform tasks by reviewing the generated scripts, thus reducing the time spent on training.
- Roles that might profit: New employees and team members transitioning to Excel.
- Reference: [Office Scripts for Excel](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/excel-blog/office-scripts-in-excel-for-windows-and-mac/ba-p/3648054)

- Improve IT Operations Efficiency
- IT can create and maintain a library of commonly used scripts, allowing for quicker deployment and support for users, streamlining IT operations.
- Roles that might profit: IT Support Teams and System Administrators.
- Reference: [Automating Excel with Office Scripts](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2023/10/02/automate-excel-tasks-with-office-scripts/)

- Cost Savings through Licensing Optimization
- Evaluate the potential to reduce reliance on third-party automation tools by leveraging Office Scripts, which may lead to savings on software licensing costs.
- Roles that might profit: Finance Teams and Procurement Departments.
- Reference: [Microsoft 365 Licensing Guide](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/pricing)

Potentional Risks**

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Data Protection**

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Hypothetical Work Council Statement**

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DPIA Draft**

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