Looker Studio is preparing to roll out several new features in the coming months. Sean Zinsmeister from Google recently provided a preview of these upcoming updates.

One of the most anticipated additions is a native connector for Microsoft Excel. This feature will allow users to directly import and work with Excel data within Looker Studio, streamlining workflows for many businesses that rely on Excel for data storage and analysis.

Zinsmeister also demonstrated how users can combine this new Excel integration with governed Looker data. This capability aims to enhance data consistency and reliability across different sources within the platform.

Another highlight of the preview was the Gemini Automated Slides feature. This tool is designed to improve collaboration and data fluency among teams. It appears to automate the creation of presentation slides based on Looker Studio data, potentially saving time and ensuring consistency in data presentations.

These updates reflect Google's ongoing efforts to enhance Looker Studio's functionality and user experience. The new features are expected to roll out over the upcoming months, though specific release dates were not provided. For those interested in more details, the full video demonstration of these features is available for viewing.