November 5, 2026 — By Grace Ebert
Just because something lacks a practical purpose does not mean it is devoid of value, a sentiment perfectly embodied by a charming and delightfully eccentric new project from London-based animator and filmmaker Maria Tomazou. Titled simply "I made a film in Excel," the project brings to life a series of colorful animated characters organized neatly across rows within the ubiquitous spreadsheet application. While Tomazou herself playfully describes the endeavor as "pointless," the finished work stands as a quirky, fun, and deeply inspiring creative triumph born from the purest artistic motivation possible: an intrinsic desire simply to make something because she wanted to.
The creation of the piece was far from a trivial undertaking. Working within the grid-based interface of Microsoft Excel—a software environment designed for financial forecasting, data analysis, and accounting rather than frame-by-frame character animation—required immense patience and unorthodox problem-solving. "It took ages to put together, to keep going, and keep creating something," Tomazou reflects, acknowledging the grueling yet rewarding nature of the long-term endeavor. With characteristic humility, she adds, "I hope you enjoy?" offering her labor of love to the public with a quiet charm.
Tomazou is no stranger to ambitious and visually striking animation projects that push the boundaries of unconventional mediums. Previously, she captured critical attention with her stunning stop-motion animation work, most notably demonstrated in her acclaimed piece "The Tornado Outside." That project showcased her deep understanding of traditional animation techniques, physical materials, and cinematic timing. Transitioning from tactile, hands-on stop-motion to the digital confines of a workplace spreadsheet program highlights a versatile creative spirit willing to experiment wildly across different platforms, embracing both the physical world and mundane digital tools as canvases for storytelling.
The use of Microsoft Excel as an unexpected medium for art and animation also places Tomazou within a fascinating lineage of digital creators who repurpose enterprise software for creative expression. For years, artists and hobbyists around the world have looked at standard office suites not as tools for corporate productivity, but as uncharted territories for visual art. Among the most notable historical precedents in this realm is the work of Japanese artist Tatsuo Horiuchi, who famously gained international acclaim for creating breathtaking, intricate Japanese landscapes using the vector drawing tools inside Microsoft Excel instead of traditional painting software like Photoshop or Illustrator. Tomazou’s animated characters add a fresh, motion-based chapter to this ongoing tradition of office-software subversion, proving that creativity can flourish anywhere there is a grid, a pixel, or a cell to be filled.
For those eager to experience the whimsical movement of Tomazou’s spreadsheet characters for themselves, the complete film is available to view online via Vimeo, where the London-based animator has shared the project with the global creative community. Whether viewed as an exercise in absurd technical perseverance, a celebration of pure artistic play, or simply a cheerful diversion in a crowded digital landscape, "I made a film in Excel" reminds audiences of the joy
that comes from creating purely for the sake of creation.
