Building Custom Spreadsheet Functions with Python: End-User Software Engineering Approach

End-user computing empowers non-developers to manage data and applications, enhancing collaboration and efficiency. Spreadsheets, a prime example of end-user programming environments widely used in business for data analysis. However, Excel functionalities have limits compared to dedicated programming languages. This paper addresses this gap by proposing a prototype for integrating Python’s capabilities into Excel through on-premises desktop to build custom spreadsheet functions with Python. This approach overcomes potential latency issues associated with cloud-based solutions. This prototype utilizes Excel-DNA and IronPython. Excel-DNA allows creating custom Python functions that seamlessly integrate with Excel’s calculation engine. IronPython enables the execution of these Python (CSFs) directly within Excel. C# and VSTO add-ins form the core components, facilitating communication between Python and Excel. This approach empowers users with a potentially open-ended set of Python (CSFs) for tasks like mathematical calculations, statistical analysis, and even predictive modeling, all within the familiar Excel interface. This prototype demonstrates smooth integration, allowing users to call Python (CSFs) just like standard Excel functions. This research contributes to enhancing spreadsheet capabilities for end-user programmers by leveraging Python’s power within Excel. Future research could explore expanding data analysis capabilities by expanding the (CSFs) functions for complex calculations, statistical analysis, data manipulation, and even external library integration. The possibility of integrating machine learning models through the (CSFs) functions within the familiar Excel environment.

Functional customization of two-dimensional materials for photocatalytic activation and conversion of inert small molecules in the air

Air has the advantage of abundance and easy availability,so it is suitable to be used as a synthetic raw material and energy source.However,the triggering of inert small molecules in the air,like O_(2),N2,and CO_(2),is a kinetically complex and energetically challenging multistep reaction.Photocatalysis brings hope for this challenge,but obstacles remain in many aspects.Here,aiming at the key difficulties of the photocatalytic activation and conversion of these three inert small molecules,i.e.,regulating electronic structure,active sites,charge carrier separation and mobility,and reaction energy barrier,we propose the concept of functional customization strategy of ultrathin two-dimensional materials for achieving more efficient activation and better performance,including thickness control,vacancy engineering,doping operation,single-atom site fabrication,and composite construction.The in-depth understanding of the functional customization will provide more profound guidance for designing photocatalysts that specialize in activating and converting inert small molecules.