From Mathematical Prodigy to Spreadsheet Superstar
Diarmuid Early, hailed by some as the LeBron James of spreadsheets, has carved an unlikely path to becoming the Microsoft Excel world champion. Growing up in Waterford, south-east Ireland, his affinity for numbers was evident from an early age. I was always good at maths, he recalls, a talent that would later propel him to international recognition in a niche yet globally significant competition.
The Academic Foundations
His journey began at university in Cork, where he studied maths and physics. While the course relied on expensive software like Mathematica, Early turned to Excel as a practical workaround at home, using it to generate sequences such as prime or Fibonacci numbers. This early experimentation laid the groundwork for what would become a professional mastery of the software.
After university, Early moved to London to work at a consultancy firm, where he began using Excel in more conventional business contexts. He quickly became the go-to person for colleagues with complex queries, from logistical calculations like determining truck requirements for package transport to intricate financial analyses.
The Competitive Spark
In 2013, while working at a bank in New York, a colleague introduced him to ModelOff, a competition focused on building financial forecasts using Excel. The early events were modest—16 finalists in a conference room at a Microsoft office—but they ignited Early's competitive spirit. He won ModelOff before the competition concluded in 2019.
The landscape evolved with the launch of the Financial Modelling World Cup in 2020, which Early won twice. Organisers transformed the event into a visually engaging spectacle, featuring head-to-head battles with real-time leaderboards on giant screens. YouTube broadcasts attracted hundreds of thousands of views, signalling a shift towards mainstream appeal.
The Vegas Showdown
Rebranded as the Microsoft Excel World Championship, the competition reached new heights. By 2023, ESPN was broadcasting it live, and the 2025 final was held in a proper esports arena in Las Vegas with a live audience of 500 cheering fans. Over 500 competitors participated in qualifiers, showcasing a diverse range of participants, from powerlifting champions to Ironman finishers.
Early admits to finding some of the event's theatrics, like the wrestling-style belt and glowing hype tunnel, a little odd. I wouldn't have come up with that, he says, but acknowledges its effectiveness in boosting interest. The atmosphere was electric and tense, with competitors at risk of elimination creating a charged environment.
Triumph and Legacy
Despite nerves during the semi-finals and final, Early excelled. The final challenge involved using Excel to fold a virtual sheet of origami—a task he felt confident tackling. He emerged victorious, defeating a three-time champion from Australia. His prize of $5,000 was donated to the Against Malaria Foundation, reflecting his humble approach to fame.
Looking ahead, organisers dream of a $1 million prize, a vision Early once considered pie in the sky. Yet, given Excel's evolution into a popular esport, he remains open to the possibility. Beyond competition, Early highlights Excel's versatility, having built models for TV game shows and football betting strategies, and even creating an Excel file that plays Battleship.
Ultimately, Early credits the smart, curious, and welcoming community for making Excel far from boring. His story is a testament to how a tool used by hundreds of millions can inspire passion, competition, and unexpected stardom.
