R in Microsoft Excel: scExcel4
scExcel integrates R seamlessly into Microsoft Excel.
RExcel has been available since 1998 and thousands of installations are used for everyday work. The new version of RExcel is currently being developed by autstat GmbH. It is called scExcel.
scExcel beta version has be available for selected users since end of March 2017. Now, the first release version of scExcel is available.
Versions
- scExcel Professional for 32 Bit Excel and 32 Bit R Single User
- scExcel Professional for 32 or 64 Bit Excel and 32 or 64 Bit R Single User
- scExcel Professional for 32 Bit Excel and 32 Bit R Concurrent License
- scExcel Professional for 32 or 64 Bit Excel and 32 or 64 Bit R Concurrent License
- scExcel Academic License
- scExcel Home&Student
License Files and License Server
To run scExcel you need to install a license file. The license file has to be generated and downloaded from autstat's license server. This requires an active http/https connection.
Single User/Single Computer licenses require a connection to autstat's license server for initial installation and then about once a year (or more frequently if new versions of the software are installed) to update the license file.
Single User/Single Computer licenses running on virtualized hardware will need a permanent http/https connection to the license server.
Concurrent licenses need a permanent connection to the license server.
Home&Student version needs a permanent connection to the license server.
Single User License
Single User licenses may be installed and used by a single user on a single computer only.
After purchasing, you may request a license file for the computer(s) you have purchased the software for. The software must not be installed and run on a virtualized computer or terminal server solution, e.g. VMWare, VirtualBox or similar.
scExcel must not be run more than once at the same time.
If you need to run scExcel on a virtualized computer, please contact us before.
An scExcel license contains an OEM license for the components to run scExcel (statconn.NET, statconnDCOM, rcom, rscproxy). This software may only be used in the context of scExcel. Creating your own applications based on statconn.NET, statconnDCOM or rcom requires a software license for these products.
Concurrent License
Concurrent licenses may be installed on any number of computers within a network but may only be used by as many users as you have purchased licenses for.
For concurrent licenses to work, scExcel must be able to contact autstat's license server via http/https.
Minimum order quantity is 5.
An scExcel license contains an OEM license for the components to run scExcel (statconn.NET, statconnDCOM, rcom, rscproxy). This software may only be used in the context of scExcel. Creating your own applications based on statconn.NET, statconnDCOM or rcom requires a software license for these products.
Academic License
autstat provides special software licenses for staff members of recognised educational institutions.
Academic licenses are similar to Single User/Single Computer licenses. In contrast to the Home&Student license this software may be used for teaching, research, in computer labs and for consultation work.
For academic licenses to work, scExcel must be able to contact autstat's license server via http/https.
Minimum order quantity is 2.
An scExcel license contains an OEM license for the components to run scExcel (statconn.NET, statconnDCOM, rcom, rscproxy). This software may only be used in the context of scExcel. Creating your own applications based on statconn.NET, statconnDCOM or rcom requires a software license for these products.
Please contact us for more information.
Home&Student License
The Home&Student license is provided free of charge but only to users fully complying with the SCEXCEL HOME&STUDENT LICENSE.
Before issuing a license, we are asking you for a proof of license compliance.
scExcel Home&Student needs a permanent http/https connection to our license server.
Links
statconn Excel
scExcel is a complete re-write from scratch. Based on new technology (.NET instead of VBA) it provides a modern GUI fully intergrated in Microsoft Excel. Excel versions 2007 and newer are supported, in both 32 and 64 bit incarnations of Excel.
Ribbon Integration and Interactive Use of scExcel
scExcel provides a state-of the art ribbon interface as well as a context menu
While not connected to R, it allows to show product version information and setting scExcel properties.
Currently supported values for "R Type" are
- Default Background: either 32 or 64 bit, depending on the default setting
- Background 32 Bit: background server for 32 bit R
- Background 64 Bit: background server for 64 bit R
- Foreground: foreground server (R window is visible)
For the foreground server, R must have been started before connecting. rcom must be loaded in the active R window. Otherwise you will get an error message telling you that you should start R:
And of course you may connect to R. After a successful connection, the other buttons in the ribbon will be enabled:
The buttons shown now will allow you to
- Disconnect from R.
- Run code from your worksheet (selection is used for R code).
- Get an expression from R (may be a scalar, a vector, a matrix or a data frame). The result will be stored in the selection.
- Send the selection to R (may be a scalar, a vector, a matrix or a data frame).
- Insert the currently active showing plot from R into the selected cells.
You will find the same functions in the popup menu of the selection as well.
scExcel will list available R symbols and previously fetched expressions. Of course, scExcel can handle data frames as well
Send data to R using "Put R Variable". Choose from the options to tell scExcel if you want to send a simple value (single cell), a matrix (range) or a data frame (also a range). For data frames, you can specify column and row name options. The choices you make are remembered for the next time
For non-interactive use, scExcel provides sheet functions, e.g. REval, which can take parameters from cells (even data frames) and returns the result into the sheet.
Sheet Functions
SExcel4 provides functions integrated into the automatic recalculation loop of scExcel. The functions available with the current version of scExcel are
- RApply
- AsRExpr
- AsSimpleDF
- DownFrom
- RightFrom
- DownRightFrom
- ExtendedRange
VBA Interface
The current version of scExcel provides support for the following functions of the RInterface VBA interface
- StartServer
- StopServer
- PutArray
- PutArrayFromVBA
- PutDataframe
- GetArray
- GetArrayToVBA
- GetDataframe
- InsertCurrentRPlot
- RRun
- RunRCodeFromRange
- REval
RExcel3 vs scExcel
Q: What is scExcel4?
A: scExcel is a complete new product. RExcel3 code is not the base for scExcel. scExcel uses a different technological approach (.NET vs. VBA) and is much faster. To avoid confusion with legacy RExcel, the new product is called scExcel
Q: Why is the new product called scExcel?
A: We want to avoid confustion when talking about this product. The name RExcel is reserved for the legacy product, while the new product is called scExcel.
Q: Which features will scExcel have?
A: scExcel will have most of the features RExcel3 has, with a few minor exceptions: It is not planned to integrate RCmdr menus into the ribbon in the beginning. scExcel will enable you to easier create your own spreadsheet solutions based on R!
Q: What about compatibility?
A: Our goal is to provide full compatibility of your sheets created with RExcel3 to scExcel4. Only hard references to the add-in (e.g. on sheet functions) cannot be automatically resolved. As a side effect, RExcel3 and scExcel must not be active at the same time, as both are providing the same objects in the global namespace (e.g. sheet functions like RApply).
Q: Where can I purchase scExcel?
A: You can purchase scExcel from autstat GmbH. Please use the form here to request an evaluation version, a quotation or send a purchase order.
Q: I have already purchased RExcel (version 3) before April 2017. How can I upgrade to scExcel?
A: There will be an upgrad opportunity for you to switch to scExcel. Exact details have not yet been decided on. If you are interested, please use the contact form.
Q: I have purchased RExcel version 3 in April 2017 or later. How can I upgrade from RExcel3 to scExcel?
A: We are sorry, but this time scExcel has already been available for purchase. Unfortunately there is no automatic upgrade path for you. Please ask for a special offer to upgrade to scExcel.
Q: What about the future of RExcel3?
A: Please ask the author of RExcel3 for details.
Q: RExcel3 does not need an active internet connection. Why does scExcel need one?
A: Both RExcel3 and scExcel rely on the licensing mechanisms of statconnDCOM. Depending on the license you choose, an active internet connection may be required to run RExcel3 or scExcel. There is no need to stay with RExcel3 to be able to work offline. scExcel provides the same functionality if correctly licensed.