I understand that R can be connected to Excel through certain packages, like RExcel. However, I’m curious if R can operate as an independent, unseen computational engine within Excel. My goal is to develop statistical tools that present an Excel interface while utilizing R’s capabilities for computations in the background. I want users to access these Excel files without needing to install R on their systems.
It’s possible! You can use R scripts running on a server and connect them to Excel using Web Services. This way, xl communicates with R automatically, while remaining unseen by users. Users won’t need R installed. But it’s a lil’ tricky to set up, you’ll need to manage the server.
hey there! have u looked into using R with VBA scripting in Excel? Sometimes, people use VBA macros to call R scripts silently. Though it might need some tweaks, it could be a way to keep R “invisible” during processes. What are you exactly hoping to develop with this? 
Yes, you can leverage R in Excel while keeping the engine hidden from end-users. Consider using the RStudio Connect platform, which lets you deploy R scripts as APIs. These can then be accessed via Excel using HTTP requests or using an add-in like Power Query to pull API data directly into sheets. This method provides a seamless user experience since they see only Excel while R handles computations externally. No R installation is necessary on client machines, ensuring a smooth deployment.