I don't expect Microsoft to do much with Excel as a spreadsheet in the next few versions. That is, I expect Excel 14, 15 and 16 to be as different from Excel 2007 (aka 12) as Excel 2000, 2002 and 2003 were from Excel 97. I'd love to be wrong.
I expect more work on the UI and Excel Services.
What I'd like to see are some improvements to Excel's formula syntax and additional functions.
Syntax Changes
- Finally make it possible to open multiple file with the same base filename at the same time in the same Excel session. That may require using full pathnames in external workbook references.
- Provide formula syntax for functionality akin to Excel 2003's Data > Consolidate.
- Add syntax to filter on fields in tables, i.e., add syntax that would operate on tables and return arrays of a subset of records and fields from the table.
Additional Formulas
- Make the XLM information functions, e.g., GET.CELL, worksheet functions.
- Make SQL.REQUEST or some equivalent a built-in function.
- Add extended INDEX and OFFSET functions which could handle 3D references. Add an extended MATCH function which would operate across worksheets.
- Let COUNTIF
, SUMIF and AVERAGEIF operate over 3D references. - Add parametrized names or simple user-defined functions.
In shor, add the 3D functionality and database functionality Lotus 1-2-3 had 18 years ago or so. Not that I'd accuse the company that integrated Word Art into spreadsheets of failing to innovate.