MEET
FARZAD AFKHAM
Creative Analyst & Excel Magician
Creative Analyst & Excel Magician
I believe a button in Excel that does EXACTLY what YOU want it to do,
is a ... slice of magic⚡
It's built for you. It solves YOUR problem, and no other problem!
And best of all — it often means you get to go home early.
What's my 'why'? What problem am I passionate about solving? Why Excel Programming?
I graduated with a Mathematics degree, but my early work in accounts departments didn't quite scratch my itch for solving complex numerical puzzles.
I found my true home where maths meets computing: in Excel. This is where logic and creativity dance together.
I was lucky to have an education that valued both logic and creativity, and as an adult, I've nurtured both. The solutions I build are more than just functional—they are creative expressions of a mathematical problem solved.
That's why I call myself a Creative Analyst.
Where mathematics meets creativity
What's my expertise and background?
I've been building custom solutions professionally through Excel-lent Solutions since 2006. Two Decades of turning spreadsheet chaos into elegant solutions.
In that time, I've worked with a huge range of industries—from Finance and Automotive to Advertising, Broadcasting, and Entertainment. Each industry brings unique challenges that spark my creativity.
I've created solutions for both Mac and PC, handling everything from pure numbers to qualitative data. My real passion is the creative challenge.
Finding an inspired, ingenious way to use technology that isn't the most obvious one. That "touch of magic" is what keeps me programming into the early hours—Which is my preferred time to work, by the way, in the peace of distraction-free solitude.
My eBook on Programming Excel
And when I'm not 'pimping' your spreadsheets?
I'm a Veteran Pole Vaulter (which is a fancy way of saying I'm over 35 and still doing it!).
Something I used to do at school, badly. Now I do it badly as a Veteran.
I enjoy the challenge of it, both mental and physical—it requires precision, courage, and timing, much like solving complex Excel problems.
And it's the perfect way to get me away from screens and into the physical world.
19+ years of Excel magic
Trivia about me and Microsoft
So, in 2015 I received an email from Microsoft out of the blue, saying we'd like to invite you to an event and formally recognize you for your contributions to Excel.
At that time I'd been Self-Employed as an Excel VBA Developer for 9 years. If I'm honest, I didn't really believe it was from Microsoft. But the series of emails I received about the company I would be keeping, made me believe the credibility of the invitation to which I was being asked to respond.
So, I went to this very fancy restaurant in London, and the room was filled with Excel modellers, Programmers, Super-users etc. and we were treated to a very fancy meal courtesy of the richest company in the world. At that time anyway.
The three course meal was followed by speeches, photographs and an XL T-shirt which you can see on the right. It's always nice to be recognized for something that you love doing anyway.
Recognized by Microsoft for my contributions to Excel
I love the quote from The A-Team:
"If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire... the A-Team."
Well, if you’re reading this you’ve already found me.