When Microsoft announced that Python was coming to Excel, it sent ripples across the business world. For decades, Excel has been the go-to tool for everything from budgeting to reporting, but it has always had its limits...

As CFO of a company managing a portfolio of 12 operating assets, spanning renewable energy, logistics, and infrastructure, I know that solid numbers drive sound decisions. Whether it's monthly board packs, variance reviews, or discussions with lenders, I need reports that are clear, timely, and trustworthy.

A typical financial model is packed with formulas extending in all directions, referencing cells that may be nearby, on a distant part of the sheet, or even in a different worksheet entirely. Not all financial models are built on industry best practice, so modellers and auditors often struggle to trace formulas and understand their composition. Unfortunately, Excel doesn't provide an intuitive way to navigate distant references within a formula.