Work trope in Japan is that everything is done in excel.

Even when it makes no sense.

You even have artists doing painting in excel.

https://www.thisiscolossal.com/2017/12/tatsuo-horiuchi-excel...

And why exactly can't I ask that question?

I believe it's a reference to this 2004 movie: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mean_Girls

The original quote being "Oh my god Karen, you can’t just ask people why they’re white."

How else would you ask someone if they are?

Yes, you can.