Excelling in … Excel? Inside the high-stakes, secretive world of competitive spreadsheeting
The GuardianSaturday, August 2, 2025 at 12:00:57 AM
A new documentary titled Spreadsheet Champions dives into the quirky, high-stakes world of competitive Microsoft Excel users, following six contestants as they prepare for the Microsoft Office Specialist world championship in Florida. The film was inspired by director Kristina Kraskov’s disbelief and fascination after reading about the niche competition—so much so that she decided to make the movie herself when she realized no one else had.
Editor’s Note: Competitive spreadsheeting sounds like a joke, but it’s a real (and surprisingly intense) subculture. This story matters because it highlights how even the most mundane skills can become passions—or even sports—for dedicated enthusiasts. Plus, it’s a fun reminder that there’s a documentary for literally everything these days.
— Curated via WP Now’s
