It’s happy hour in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand casino, which is bustling with people due to various events happening in town. The National Finals Rodeo, NBA’s tournament, Raiders game, and U2 residency at the Sphere are all attracting crowds. Amidst this busy weekend, an event called The Active Cell is taking place at the casino. This is the Excel World Championship play-in round, where 27 contestants are competing for a spot in the finals. The room is set up with tables, laptops, and a business casual dress code. As the competition begins, the founder explains the challenge involving potions in Excel. While most contestants quickly tackle the task using Excel formulas and tools, the narrator struggles to keep up. Competitive Excel is seen as a game that showcases the power of the software in organizing and analyzing data. Despite the serious nature of the competition, the idea of turning Excel into a sport is gaining traction. The ability to manipulate data in a spreadsheet is likened to a superpower, with contestants in the room being seen as gods in control of their domain. Competitive Excel may seem unusual as spreadsheets are typically associated with work, but their importance and ubiquity cannot be overstated. The history of electronic spreadsheets and their impact on the mainstream use of computers is highlighted, emphasizing their significance in modern technology.
