I disagree strongly with an interdependence on Excel. Instead, it would make sense to ask what new functionality could be added - and start by looking at major applications of databases (you might be surprised to hear that scalibility and reliability are much more important than most think - and almost always beat other features for adoption by paying business customers). The Excel UI is a boat-anchor to innovation in the space (no reliability&#x2F;scalibility or modern architecture). The Web is the new de-facto GUI, and it should be possible to start adding functionality that Excel would be hard-pressed to replicate.<p>I should add that I was once a Product Manager for core database at Oracle. We had constant requests for an Excel front-end to Oracle. I don&#x27;t know if we had any major customers who didn&#x27;t ask for a spreadsheet front-end at some point. But we were busy making money on other things, and it just wasn&#x27;t a priority (though consulting routinely built hooks.) So I think that this has the potential to be a huge product - especially if it can leverage new technology in ways which Excel can&#x27;t. Don&#x27;t let Excel and Microsoft drag this product down.