Every analyst goes through this at least once.

Simple data request comes in.

Straightforward ask.

But instead of doing the sensible thing, your brain goes straight to architecture mode.

So you write a Python script. Then a SQL query with 3 CTEs. Then somehow you're building an automated pipeline with multiple integrations.

4 days later the pipeline is broken, you're debugging at 9pm, and the report goes to exactly 2 people who look at it once a month.

You rebuild it in Excel in 40 minutes.

It has not broken once.

Your pride is hurt, but you're glad it's done.

This is why Excel will never die.