A recent Datarails survey of 212 finance professionals highlights a surprising trend: younger employees, particularly those aged 22 to 35, have a strong affinity for Microsoft Excel. About 54% of these younger workers express love for the tool, outpacing the 39% of older colleagues. They spend significant time using it, with 83% dedicating more than five hours daily to spreadsheets. This emotional connection is notable, as 78% report feeling a high or moderate attachment to Excel, suggesting that it is deeply integrated into their work habits. Excel remains the preferred tool in finance, with 41% of respondents naming it their top choice, especially among accountants, where the figure jumps to 57%. A staggering 89% of all respondents say that over half of their financial workflows rely on Excel, from forecasting to month-end close. Looking ahead, 84% of finance professionals believe Excel will remain equally or more important in the next decade. This confidence is particularly pronounced among younger workers, with 89% expecting spreadsheets to maintain their relevance. Despite the rise of automation and AI, finance employees see these technologies complementing rather than replacing Excel. While Excel is central to their work, it’s not without frustrations. Around 45% of respondents express outright love for the tool, but 43% describe their feelings as mixed. Key issues include data consolidation (28%), manual entry and updates (23%), and version control (22%). A significant 81% spend at least six hours a month fixing errors, with FP&A teams reporting even higher numbers. Despite these challenges, the survey indicates that Excel's place in finance is secure, as younger professionals are shaping their careers around it and will likely influence its continued use in the future.