Program in Excel — to begin with it can ease the pain (7)
I believe the answer is:
codeine
'it can ease the pain' is the definition.
'program in excel to begin' is the wordplay.
'program' becomes 'code' (to program is to write computer code).
'to begin' says to take the initial letters.
The initial letter of 'excel' is 'e'.
'code'+'in'+'e'='CODEINE'
'with' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for codeine that I've seen before include "Derivative of opium used as an analgesic" , "Common opium-based tablet used to relieve pain" , "Niece, do take this drug" , "Analgesic drug" , "Painkiller derived from opium" .)