https://community.databricks.com/t5/mvp-articles/databricks-sql-and-databricks-table-functions-debuts-in/m-p/165937#M281 <DIV class=""><DIV class=""><P><SPAN class="">I was genuinely stunned to discover that Excel now supports <STRONG>DATABRICKS.SQL</STRONG> and <STRONG>DATABRICKS.TABLE</STRONG> worksheet functions <span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":grinning_face_with_big_eyes:">😃</span>. For years, analysts and business users have relied on exporting CSVs or building complex connectors to bridge the gap between enterprise-scale data platforms and the familiar spreadsheet environment. That gap just got dramatically smaller.</SPAN></P><H2>What This Means</H2><UL class=""><LI><P><SPAN class=""><STRONG>Direct SQL in Excel</STRONG>: With DATABRICKS.SQL, you can write queries against your Databricks lakehouse directly inside a cell. No external tools, no copy-paste gymnastics—just pure SQL returning live results.</SPAN></P></LI></UL><P><SPAN class=""><span class="lia-inline-image-display-wrapper lia-image-align-center" image-alt="6.PNG" style="width: 999px;"><img src="https://community.databricks.com/t5/image/serverpage/image-id/30107i23FD6AD49B3CB5F8/image-size/large?v=v2&amp;px=999" role="button" title="6.PNG" alt="6.PNG" /></span></SPAN></P><UL class=""><LI><P><SPAN class=""><STRONG>Tables as Native Ranges</STRONG>: DATABRICKS.TABLE lets you reference Databricks tables as if they were native Excel ranges. This means pivot tables, charts, and formulas can now consume enterprise data seamlessly.</SPAN></P></LI></UL><P><SPAN class=""><span class="lia-inline-image-display-wrapper lia-image-align-center" image-alt="7.PNG" style="width: 999px;"><img src="https://community.databricks.com/t5/image/serverpage/image-id/30108i3E49EB3B14AA4B0D/image-size/large?v=v2&amp;px=999" role="button" title="7.PNG" alt="7.PNG" /></span></SPAN></P><P>&nbsp;<STRONG>Real-Time Insights</STRONG><SPAN>: Instead of working with stale exports, you can refresh data straight from Databricks, ensuring decisions are based on the latest information.</SPAN></P><UL class=""><LI><P><SPAN class=""><STRONG>Accessibility for All</STRONG>: Business users who aren’t SQL experts can still benefit by consuming curated Databricks tables in Excel, while power users can unleash advanced queries without leaving their spreadsheet.</SPAN></P></LI></UL><H2>Why It Matters</H2><P><SPAN class="">This integration dissolves the boundary between <STRONG>data engineering</STRONG> and <STRONG>business analysis</STRONG>. Excel, long considered the tool of choice for quick analysis and reporting, is evolving into a true front-end for modern data platforms. Analysts can now combine the scale of Databricks with the flexibility of Excel, creating hybrid workflows that are both powerful and intuitive.</SPAN></P><H2>The Bigger Picture</H2><P><SPAN class="">We’re witnessing the rise of the <STRONG>modern data stack</STRONG> in everyday productivity tools. Excel isn’t just a spreadsheet anymore—it’s becoming a gateway to enterprise-scale analytics. For organizations, this means faster insights, reduced friction between teams, and a democratization of data access.</SPAN></P></DIV></DIV> Tue, 18 Aug 2026 22:03:09 GMT AbiolaDavid 2026-08-18T22:03:09Z https://community.databricks.com/t5/mvp-articles/databricks-sql-and-databricks-table-functions-debuts-in/m-p/165937#M281 <DIV class=""><DIV class=""><P><SPAN class="">I was genuinely stunned to discover that Excel now supports <STRONG>DATABRICKS.SQL</STRONG> and <STRONG>DATABRICKS.TABLE</STRONG> worksheet functions <span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":grinning_face_with_big_eyes:">😃</span>. For years, analysts and business users have relied on exporting CSVs or building complex connectors to bridge the gap between enterprise-scale data platforms and the familiar spreadsheet environment. That gap just got dramatically smaller.</SPAN></P><H2>What This Means</H2><UL class=""><LI><P><SPAN class=""><STRONG>Direct SQL in Excel</STRONG>: With DATABRICKS.SQL, you can write queries against your Databricks lakehouse directly inside a cell. No external tools, no copy-paste gymnastics—just pure SQL returning live results.</SPAN></P></LI></UL><P><SPAN class=""><span class="lia-inline-image-display-wrapper lia-image-align-center" image-alt="6.PNG" style="width: 999px;"><img src="https://community.databricks.com/t5/image/serverpage/image-id/30107i23FD6AD49B3CB5F8/image-size/large?v=v2&amp;px=999" role="button" title="6.PNG" alt="6.PNG" /></span></SPAN></P><UL class=""><LI><P><SPAN class=""><STRONG>Tables as Native Ranges</STRONG>: DATABRICKS.TABLE lets you reference Databricks tables as if they were native Excel ranges. This means pivot tables, charts, and formulas can now consume enterprise data seamlessly.</SPAN></P></LI></UL><P><SPAN class=""><span class="lia-inline-image-display-wrapper lia-image-align-center" image-alt="7.PNG" style="width: 999px;"><img src="https://community.databricks.com/t5/image/serverpage/image-id/30108i3E49EB3B14AA4B0D/image-size/large?v=v2&amp;px=999" role="button" title="7.PNG" alt="7.PNG" /></span></SPAN></P><P>&nbsp;<STRONG>Real-Time Insights</STRONG><SPAN>: Instead of working with stale exports, you can refresh data straight from Databricks, ensuring decisions are based on the latest information.</SPAN></P><UL class=""><LI><P><SPAN class=""><STRONG>Accessibility for All</STRONG>: Business users who aren’t SQL experts can still benefit by consuming curated Databricks tables in Excel, while power users can unleash advanced queries without leaving their spreadsheet.</SPAN></P></LI></UL><H2>Why It Matters</H2><P><SPAN class="">This integration dissolves the boundary between <STRONG>data engineering</STRONG> and <STRONG>business analysis</STRONG>. Excel, long considered the tool of choice for quick analysis and reporting, is evolving into a true front-end for modern data platforms. Analysts can now combine the scale of Databricks with the flexibility of Excel, creating hybrid workflows that are both powerful and intuitive.</SPAN></P><H2>The Bigger Picture</H2><P><SPAN class="">We’re witnessing the rise of the <STRONG>modern data stack</STRONG> in everyday productivity tools. Excel isn’t just a spreadsheet anymore—it’s becoming a gateway to enterprise-scale analytics. For organizations, this means faster insights, reduced friction between teams, and a democratization of data access.</SPAN></P></DIV></DIV> Tue, 18 Aug 2026 22:03:09 GMT https://community.databricks.com/t5/mvp-articles/databricks-sql-and-databricks-table-functions-debuts-in/m-p/165937#M281 AbiolaDavid 2026-08-18T22:03:09Z