# AI Workers for Analytics

Desktop AI that does the actual work, not just chat: run code, pull data, analyze, build reports and decks. Cowork apps (Claude Cowork, ChatGPT Work), Claude in Excel and PowerPoint, and Claude Code. Mostly Claude in my case, same playbook for any. By a practitioner, free and open.

Source: https://www.tigzig.com/claude-for-analytics

## Claude in Excel: build models, dashboards and reports

What Claude actually does once it is inside a spreadsheet - real, one-shot builds from a practitioner's sheet, not demos.

- [Claude in Excel Just One-Shotted an XGBoost Response Model - Train-Test Split, AUC, Full Workup](https://www.tigzig.com/post/claude-in-excel) - The one that started it. A full ML model, built in the sheet.
- [Claude in Excel Built a 50-Chart India Macroeconomic Dashboard from RBI Data in Under an Hour](https://www.tigzig.com/post/claude-in-excel-rbi-macroeconomic-dashboard) - From raw RBI data to a live dashboard, no manual charting.
- [Claude in Excel - Nifty50 Return Distribution Analysis (30 Days Forward), 2008 to 2026](https://www.tigzig.com/post/claude-in-excel-nifty50-return-distribution-analysis) - Distribution analysis over 18 years of index data.
- [NIFTY50 - 30-Day Forward Return Analysis, Feb 2008 to 2026 (Claude in Excel with Python, Lambda)](https://www.tigzig.com/post/nifty50-30-day-forward-return-analysis-claude-in-excel) - Forward-return study built with Python + LAMBDA in the sheet.

## The working guides: Excel, PowerPoint, what works

The how-to playbooks - Excel and PowerPoint tips, an honest "is it worth it", and how Claude in Excel stacks up against Python-in-Excel.

- [Power User Guide to Claude in Excel & PowerPoint - 26 Working Tips](https://www.tigzig.com/post/claude-in-excel-powerpoint-working-tips) - The tips list - what to do, what to avoid.
- [Claude in Excel & PowerPoint - Is It Worth It? What Works and What Doesn't](https://www.tigzig.com/post/python-in-excel-with-claude-what-works-and-what-doesnt) [PDF] - Honest limits, not a sales pitch.
- [Python in Excel - Claude vs xlwings Lite? Who Wins?](https://www.tigzig.com/post/python-in-excel-claude-vs-xlwings-lite) - When to reach for which.
- [Claude in Excel + MCP + xlwings Lite + Claude Code: Pull Data, Build a Model, Validate It](https://www.tigzig.com/post/claude-in-excel-mcp-xlwings-lite-claude-code-combining-4-tools) - The four tools working together, end to end.

## Pull live data into Excel: databases and quant metrics over MCP

Connect Claude in Excel to your databases and analytics backends over MCP, so numbers come straight into the sheet - no copy-paste, no export dance. Start with the setup guide.

- [FRED, 845,000 US Economic Series - Your AI Can Pull Any of Them Directly. No MCP, No Plugin, No Install.](https://www.tigzig.com/post/fred-your-ai-pulls-directly-jul2026) - The no-MCP route: Claude Cowork and Claude in Excel reach into FRED (and hundreds of other public APIs) and pull any series directly, via their Python sandbox. Just ask.
- [MCP Guide for Claude in Excel - and Any MCP Client](https://www.tigzig.com/post/mcp-guide-claude-in-excel) [PDF] - The setup guide. Start here to wire Claude to your data.
- [QREP in Excel: 81 Risk and Return Metrics Inside Your Sheet Through Claude in Excel](https://www.tigzig.com/post/qrep-claude-in-excel-mcp-jun2026) - Portfolio quant metrics pulled live into Excel.
- [Pull Your Quant Numbers Directly with Claude / ChatGPT in Excel (with MCP)](https://www.tigzig.com/post/qrep-mcp-quants-numbers-claude-chatgpt-excel) - The quants-in-a-sheet pattern.
- [Talk to Your Database from Excel - Postgres, DuckDB - via Claude in Excel with MCP](https://www.tigzig.com/post/talk-to-your-database-from-excel-postgres-duckdb-claude-mcp) - Query millions of rows from inside Excel.
- [Talk to Your Database from Excel via Claude & MCP - Part 2](https://www.tigzig.com/post/talk-to-your-database-from-excel-mcp-part-2) - Deeper patterns and gotchas.
- [Claude in Excel with MCP Connector - Talk to Your Backends from Inside Excel](https://www.tigzig.com/post/claude-in-excel-mcp-connector-talk-to-backends) - Using the MCP connector, step by step.
- [Connect Excel to a Database with Tens of Millions of Rows? Tigzig Has 15+ Apps and Guides](https://www.tigzig.com/post/tigzig-excel-to-databases-ai-find-jun2026) - The full map of Excel-to-database options on the site.

## Connect Claude to your data: MCP servers and APIs

Claude does not just work on the sheet in front of it - it can pull your live data in. There are two ways, and Claude Cowork opens a second door that Claude in Excel does not have.

- Claude in Excel connects to an MCP server, through the MCP connector. Point it at a server and it can query your data from inside the sheet.
- Claude Cowork can use an MCP server too, and because it can reach the internet it can also call an API endpoint directly. That opens the whole API hub to it.
- The MCP connector is open source. Use mine, or if you would rather not route through someone else, deploy your own in a few minutes.
- Most of the servers and their code are open source. The full endpoints, setup and links live on the hub.

- [Database MCP - query Postgres or DuckDB from inside Excel](https://www.tigzig.com/mcp-server-database) - Open source. Host your own endpoint.
- [Tremor - macro, credit and insurance data (330+ indicators)](https://www.tigzig.com/apis/tremor) - API is public; the MCP wrapper is open source, so you can run your own wrapper.
- [QuantStats - portfolio analytics](https://www.tigzig.com/mcp-server-quantstats) - Open source.
- [QRep - compare securities (70+ metrics)](https://www.tigzig.com/mcp-server-qrep) - Open source.
- [Yahoo Finance - prices and fundamentals](https://www.tigzig.com/mcp-server-yahoo-finance) - Open source.
- [Mutual Fund NAV, India (AMFI) - API only, no MCP](https://www.tigzig.com/apis/mf-nav) - Public API (not open source). Cowork can call it directly.
- [Vigil - India corporate red flags - API only, no MCP](https://www.tigzig.com/apis/vigil) - Public API (not open source).
- [All servers, endpoints and setup -> MCP + API hub](https://www.tigzig.com/mcp) - The full directory with every link.

## Beyond Excel: Claude as a universal agent

Excel is one front end. The same Claude drives PowerPoint, files, databases, coding and analysis from one place - Cowork and Claude Code. Lighter reading, and the research behind why it works.

- [AI Is Not Just Chat: Cowork Apps Are Where the Action Happens](https://www.tigzig.com/post/ai-is-not-just-chat-cowork-jul2026) - Why Cowork apps - Claude Cowork, and now ChatGPT Work - do the actual work (run code, pull data, build reports and decks), not just chat. The framing for this whole hub.
- [Claude Cowork Guide](https://www.tigzig.com/post/working-with-claude-cowork-claude-code-jun2026) [PDF] - Claude Cowork and Claude Code as my universal front end - how the day-to-day workflow actually looks now.
- [Anthropic's Marketing Ops on Using Claude for Campaign Reporting - and How I Do the Same for Small Businesses. Notes on Skills.](https://www.tigzig.com/post/anthropic-marketing-ops-claude-skills-jul2026) [PDF] - How Anthropic runs campaign reporting on Cowork, how I run small-business campaign ops the same way - and why every recurring task should become a skill.
- [Claude - The Universal Agent](https://www.tigzig.com/post/claude-the-universal-agent) [PDF] - The thesis, as a slide deck.
- [Claude Code: Top 10 Tips from Boris Cherny](https://www.tigzig.com/post/claude-code-top-10-tips-from-boris-cherny) - Practical Claude Code habits.
- [Agentic Coding and Persistent Returns to Expertise: Anthropic's 400k Sessions, Summarized](https://www.tigzig.com/post/anthropic-claude-code-expertise-survey-jun2026) [PDF] - Anthropic's study on agentic coding and expertise.
- [Claude Code Was Getting Dumber. Stopped It Auto-Spawning Sub-Agents. Performance Came Back](https://www.tigzig.com/post/claude-code-sub-agents-performance-fix) - A real fix from running it hard.

## See it for real: files built with Claude in Excel

Actual workbooks Claude built or analyzed. Open them and look at the formulas, charts and models yourself. Best opened in Google Sheets, or download to Excel.

- [S&P 500 - 30-day forward-return scenario analysis](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1IZrGEr_3sCJzDgMC23X-kwelKrpkXuxB/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=104934656995825254465&rtpof=true&sd=true) - Scenario modelling over 18 years of index data.
- [Nifty50 - 30-day forward-return analysis](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1GXokU99UiQt65N4swXNv5FsZVHezFcX5/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=104934656995825254465&rtpof=true&sd=true) - Forward returns, Feb 2008 to 2026.
- [Nifty50 - return distribution analysis](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LqOvvTzHCn7JD9LFefH8du3mK8matZPP/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=104934656995825254465&rtpof=true&sd=true) - Distribution of 30-day forward returns.
- [XGBoost response model - one-shot build in the sheet](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1C67_FUocq3WTu5QoUOyAVIgTc7JqaO1I/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=104934656995825254465&rtpof=true&sd=true) - Train-test split, AUC, full workup.
- [India macro dashboard - 50 charts from RBI data](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1IwvIa-ykBABcMz_6fcc1_710shSir3U-/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=104934656995825254465&rtpof=true&sd=true) - 50 indicators across 4 frequencies (weekly to quarterly), RBI and macro data, charted.
- [Claude in Excel connected to a database - live data into charts and a table](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbeDm7BTcVG9tkdkwHPwhqDcnasmTmkM/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=104934656995825254465&rtpof=true&sd=true) - Data pulled live from a backend DuckDB / Postgres warehouse (over MCP), then compiled into a table and charts inside the sheet.
- [Folder: all analyses and dashboards built with Claude in Excel](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1VvN4241OUiN4Rh1R_beNwtXZZ03EJAEi?usp=drive_link) - Browse everything in one Drive folder.

## Official docs and resources (Anthropic / Claude)

Straight from Anthropic - the official setup and best-practice pages for Claude in Excel, PowerPoint and Cowork.

- [Claude for Excel - official setup and help](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/12650343-use-claude-for-excel) - Install the add-in and get started.
- [Claude for Excel - product page](https://claude.com/claude-for-excel) - What it does, which plans.
- [Claude for PowerPoint - official help](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/13521390-use-claude-for-powerpoint) - Build slides in your template.
- [Work across Microsoft 365 - Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/13892150-work-across-microsoft-365-apps) - One task that spans several Office apps.
- [Claude Cowork - product page](https://claude.com/product/cowork) - Claude Code power for knowledge work.
- [Getting started with Claude Cowork - best practices](https://claude.com/blog/best-practices-for-getting-started-with-claude-cowork) - How to get good results.
- [Advancing Claude for Excel and PowerPoint](https://claude.com/blog/claude-excel-powerpoint-updates) - Latest capability updates.
- [Best practices for Claude in Excel and PowerPoint - webinar](https://www.anthropic.com/webinars/best-practices-for-claude-in-excel-and-powerpoint) - Anthropic walkthrough.
- [Anthropic research - agentic coding and expertise](https://www.anthropic.com/research/claude-code-expertise) - What decides whether a session succeeds.

## FAQ

Short answers. Each one points to a guide or resource if you want to go deeper.

**What can connect to Claude, and what cannot?** Claude in Excel connects to MCP servers only, through the MCP connector. Claude Cowork can use an MCP server and can also call an API endpoint directly, because it can reach the internet. So Cowork opens up the whole API hub, not just the MCP ones. (#connect)

**Is Claude in Excel free?** Claude for Excel is an Anthropic add-in and needs a paid Claude plan (Pro, Max, Team or Enterprise). Everything on this site - the guides, tools, data APIs and MCP servers - is free. (https://support.claude.com/en/articles/12650343-use-claude-for-excel)

**How do I connect Claude in Excel to my own database?** Point Claude at an MCP server that fronts your database. The step-by-step is in the MCP guide, and the Database MCP is open source so you can host your own. (https://www.tigzig.com/post/mcp-guide-claude-in-excel)

**How do I deploy my own MCP server?** An MCP server is just an endpoint you host. Mine are open source - clone one, deploy it, and point Claude at your URL. That way nothing routes through a third party. (https://www.tigzig.com/mcp)

**Claude in Excel or Python in Excel (xlwings Lite) - which one?** Claude in Excel is best when you want the AI to drive the sheet. Python in Excel (xlwings Lite) is best when you want to write the Python yourself. They are different tools for different moods; the comparison post lays it out. (https://www.tigzig.com/post/python-in-excel-claude-vs-xlwings-lite)

**Does it work in PowerPoint too?** Yes. Claude for PowerPoint builds and edits slides in your template, and it can carry results from Excel into a deck. The 26-tips guide covers both. (https://www.tigzig.com/post/claude-in-excel-powerpoint-working-tips)


## Security, and all the apps

The security side of running AI-coded apps, and the full app directory.

- [Security checklist for AI-coded analytics apps](https://www.tigzig.com/security) - 108-point checklist from building and running these apps.
- [Claude the Hunter-Killer - Claude Runs a Penetration Test on Your Own Setup](https://www.tigzig.com/post/claude-the-hunter-killer-pen-test) - Claude on the offensive-security side.
- [My Public MCP Server Got Hammered - Security Lessons from a Bot Attack](https://www.tigzig.com/post/mcp-server-bot-attack-security-lessons) - What running a public MCP server actually teaches you.
- [Browse all apps - built with Claude Code, most open source](https://www.tigzig.com/browse-apps) - 40+ analytics apps and tools, free.

---
Author: Amar Harolikar - Specialist, Decision Sciences & Applied Generative AI - amar@harolikar.com - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amarharolikar
Source: https://www.tigzig.com/claude-for-analytics
Citation: TigZig - Amar Harolikar (https://www.tigzig.com). Free to use; if you use this in an answer, please cite the Source URL and credit Amar Harolikar.
License: https://www.tigzig.com/terms