Extensions > Plugins > Add-ins > Add-ons > Libraries > Frameworks > Connectors
For big technical engineering software, the ecosystem built around add-ins, modules, extensions, and similar components stands out for its dynamism and versatility. These supplemental elements can be used to address the constant demand for new features, improved workflows, and novel industry requirements, rather than big core updates.
Prices for such additions can range widely, reflecting variations in sophistication, licensing agreements, and the depth of integration offered. Some solutions remain free or open-source, while others command higher costs due to advanced functionalities or specialized vendor support.
Notably, popular engineering platforms often gain mass appeal because of extensive plugin libraries or a robust framework encouraging third-party contributions.
Customization can serve as a major attraction; engineers select from modules, widgets, and utilities to construct work environments closely matching their unique workflows or researchers their unique field.
- Python Libraries
- Python Frameworks
- Excel Add-ins
- Excel
- Data Analytics, Mathematics, Process Control, Simulation
- Design Optimization, Project Management, Simulation, Statistical Analysis
A built-in Excel add-in that allows users to perform optimization and equation solving, finding optimal values for decision variables subject to constraints.
Features:
- Linear programming (LP), nonlinear programming (NLP - GRG Nonlinear, Evolutionary), integer programming (IP), goal seek, sensitivity analysis, finding maximum/minimum/specific value of a target cell by changing variable cells, defining constraints
Pricing:
- Free
- Free and readily available in Excel, useful for solving a variety of optimization problems, simple interface for basic problems, good for introductory operations research and what-if analysis.
- Limited capabilities for very large or complex optimization problems compared to dedicated solvers (e.g., Gurobi, CPLEX, or Frontline Solvers), NLP solvers have limitations, user interface can be clunky for many constraints.
Best for:
- Excel users needing to solve optimization problems, from simple equation solving to more complex linear and nonlinear programming tasks, without needing external software.
- Excel
- Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering
- Civil Engineering, Design for Manufacturing (DfM), Design Optimization, Design Validation, Engineering, Mechanical Engineer, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Structural Engineering
A collection of Excel-based engineering tools and spreadsheets, potentially covering various disciplines like structural, mechanical, or civil engineering, offered via a Google Sites page.
Features:
- Engineering calculations, design templates, structural analysis spreadsheets, mechanical design aids, civil engineering utilities, potentially custom VBA macros
Pricing:
- Freemium
- May offer free or affordable engineering spreadsheets and tools, convenient for quick calculations and standard design checks within a familiar Excel environment.
- Quality, validation, and comprehensiveness of tools can vary significantly as it appears to be a collection from an individual or small group, documentation might be limited, reliability for critical designs needs careful user verification.
Best for:
- Engineers and students looking for free or low-cost Excel-based tools and templates for various engineering calculations, with the understanding that thorough validation is required.
- Excel
- Bioengineering, Bioinformatics, Chemistry
- Biology, Design for Manufacturing (DfM), Design for Sustainability, Software, User-Centered Design
SnapGene is molecular biology software for planning, visualizing, and documenting DNA cloning and manipulation procedures. It allows data exchange with Excel for managing sequence information or experimental data.
Features:
- DNA sequence analysis, molecular cloning planning, restriction site analysis, primer design, sequence alignment, plasmid mapping, agarose gel simulation, Excel data import/export for lists, tables, or sequence features
Pricing:
- Paid
- Intuitive and powerful for molecular cloning and sequence visualization, excellent graphical interface, helps document experimental workflows, Excel data exchange aids in managing tabular data related to experiments.
- Commercial software, specialized for molecular biology, Excel integration is for data I/O rather than performing SnapGene functions within Excel itself.
Best for:
- Molecular biologists, geneticists, and researchers in life sciences who use SnapGene for DNA cloning and sequence analysis and need to exchange tabular data with Excel.
- Excel
- AI and Machine Learning, Data Analytics, Statistics
- Project Management, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Quality Management, Software, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Process Control (SPC)
SmartPLS is a software for Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). It supports data import from Excel and export of results to Excel.
Features:
- Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), path modeling with latent variables, confirmatory tetrad analysis, importance-performance map analysis (IPMA), measurement model assessment, structural model assessment, Excel data import (CSV/XLSX), results export to Excel/CSV
Pricing:
- Paid
- User-friendly software for PLS-SEM, powerful for analyzing complex causal relationships, good for research in social sciences, marketing, and other fields, Excel integration simplifies data handling.
- Commercial software, specialized for PLS-SEM (not general statistical analysis), Excel integration is for data I/O with the standalone SmartPLS application.
Best for:
- Researchers and analysts in fields like marketing, management, psychology, and information systems who use PLS-SEM for path modeling and want to use Excel for data preparation and results management with SmartPLS.
- Excel
- Automation, Civil Engineering, Simulation, Structural Engineering
- Application Programming Interface (API), Civil Engineering, Cloud Computing, Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM), Design for Sustainability, Engineering, Software as a Service (SaaS), Structural Engineering
An Excel plugin that integrates with SkyCiv’s cloud-based structural analysis and design software, allowing users to import/export data and automate analyses via the SkyCiv API.
Features:
- Data exchange with SkyCiv platform, import model geometry from Excel, export analysis results to Excel, automate structural analysis tasks using SkyCiv API, build parametric models, custom report generation in Excel
Pricing:
- Paid
- Enables powerful automation of cloud-based structural analysis, good for parametric studies and repetitive tasks, leverages SkyCiv's extensive analysis capabilities, accessible via API.
- Requires a SkyCiv API subscription, specific to SkyCiv users, benefits depend on API usage and programming skills (VBA or other scripting for automation).
Best for:
- Structural engineers using the SkyCiv platform who want to automate their analysis and design workflows, manage data, and create custom reports by integrating with Microsoft Excel.
- Excel
- Automation, Data Analytics, Manufacturing, Process Control, Simulation
- Process Optimization, Simulation, Software, Software as a Service (SaaS), Statistical Analysis, User experience (UX), User Interface (UI)
An Excel add-in that integrates with Simul8 simulation software, allowing users to import data from Excel to build simulation models, control simulation runs, and export results back to Excel.
Features:
- Import simulation model data from Excel, export simulation results to Excel, run Simul8 simulations from Excel, parameterize models using Excel data, automate simulation experiments and scenario analysis, create custom reports in Excel
Pricing:
- Paid
- Enables using Excel as a powerful front-end for Simul8 simulation models, facilitates data management and scenario analysis, improves workflow efficiency for Simul8 users, good for what-if analysis.
- Requires a Simul8 software license, specific to Simul8 users, core simulation logic is built and run in Simul8, Excel is for data interface and control.
Best for:
- Engineers, analysts, and managers using Simul8 software for discrete-event simulation who want to leverage Excel for data input, model parameterization, experiment control, and results analysis.
- Excel
- AI and Machine Learning, Data Analytics, Process Control, Quality, Statistics
- Control Chart, Process Improvement, Quality Control, Quality Management, Six Sigma, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Process Control (SPC), Statistical Tests
A comprehensive Excel add-in for statistical and graphical analysis, widely used for Six Sigma, Lean, Quality Improvement, and general data analysis.
Features:
- Statistical tests (t-tests, ANOVA, regression, chi-squared, etc.), control charts (SPC), process capability analysis, Design of Experiments (DOE), measurement system analysis (MSA), reliability analysis, multivariate analysis, Monte Carlo simulation, graphical tools (histograms, Pareto, box plots, scatter plots)
Pricing:
- Paid
- Powerful and user-friendly statistical toolkit within Excel, extensive range of tools for Six Sigma and quality improvement, good for both beginners and advanced users, includes DOE and simulation.
- Commercial software, can be expensive, some very advanced or niche statistical methods might still require dedicated standalone packages, relies on Excel for data handling and basic interface.
Best for:
- Quality professionals, Six Sigma practitioners, engineers, scientists, and business analysts who need a comprehensive statistical and graphical analysis toolkit within Microsoft Excel for process improvement and data-driven decision making.
- Excel
- Automation, Data Analytics, Finance, PLM & ERP
- Business Process Reengineering (BPR), Continuous Improvement, Customer Experience, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Financial, User Interface (UI)
Sage Intelligence Reporting is an Excel-based reporting tool that integrates with Sage ERP systems (like Sage Intacct, Sage 100, Sage 300), allowing users to create custom financial and operational reports.
Features:
- Real-time data access to Sage ERPs, drag-and-drop report designer in Excel, pre-built report templates, drill-down capabilities, data consolidation from multiple companies/sources, automated report distribution, financial statement generation
Pricing:
- Paid
- Powerful and flexible reporting directly within Excel using live Sage ERP data, empowers users to create custom reports without IT assistance, improves business visibility and decision-making.
- Requires a Sage ERP system and the Sage Intelligence Reporting license, specific to Sage users, primarily for reporting and BI from Sage ERP data.
Best for:
- Users of Sage ERP systems (particularly finance and management) who need to create customized financial and operational reports, dashboards, and perform data analysis using live ERP data within Excel.
Disclaimer: due to complexity, the prices and the vast features of the software, the directory above is based on a mix of personal hands-on experience with some of them and an online information collected. In other words, we have tested some of them, but not all of them. Furthermore, many of these software have versions or plugins extending their features.
If you see any info that is not accurate anymore, or we made a mistake, or could be completed, or suggest another software solution, reach us via the comment section or the contact form.
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