Microsoft Integrates AI-Powered 'COPILOT' Function into Excel Cells

Microsoft Excel adds Copilot AI to help fill in spreadsheet cells

Microsoft Excel is testing a new AI-powered function that can automatically fill cells in your spreadsheets, which is similar to the feature that Google Sheets rolled out in June. You would use the "COPILOT" function followed by a natural language prompt and (optionally) specify the cells you want it to reference; the AI would then classify information, generate summaries, create tables, and more. If you have a column of cells filled with feedback about a coffee machine, for example, you can use the COPILOT function to quickly classify it with AI. To do this, you'd use this formula: "=COPILOT("Classify this feedback", D4:D18)," while ensuring that you change the cells to match your Excel sheet. Microsoft Excel will then output AI-generated classifications inside each specified cell. Here are some other examples provided by Microsoft: The COPILOT function, which is powered by OpenAI's gpt-4.1-mini AI model, is the successor to the LABS.GENERATIVEAI function Microsoft started experimenting with in 2023. Microsoft notes that you can combine its new AI function with other Excel functions, including IF, SWITCH, LAMBDA, or WRAPROWS. The company adds that information sent through Excel's COPILOT function is "never" used for AI training, as "the input remains confidential and is used solely to generate your requested output." The COPILOT function comes with a couple of limitations, as it can't access information outside your spreadsheet, and you can only use it to calculate 100 functions every 10 minutes. Microsoft also warns against using the AI function for numerical calculations or in "high-stakes scenarios" with legal, regulatory, and compliance implications, as COPILOT "can give incorrect responses." It's rolling out now to users on Windows and Mac in the Beta Channel with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license. Microsoft plans on refining this feature in the future by upgrading the function's underlying model and potentially adding support for web access.

Microsoft crams Copilot AI directly into Excel cells

Microsoft, in its ongoing effort to AI-ify every product it has, is now adding it right into the cells of Excel. Available on Monday to beta users of Microsoft 365 Copilot, a new COPILOT function allows you to task Redmond's AI with performing generative tasks right in, for example, C2 or B23. It's a smart strategic move on the part of the software behemoth, which is trying to justify its AI datacenter buildout by bundling Copilot into anything and everything. Excel is perhaps the stickiest of Microsoft Office products, essential and irreplaceable for many finance functions. In a blog post and YouTube video, Head of Product Excel Core Catherine Pidgeon explains the advantages of the new function and how to invoke it. Youtube Video As with any function in Excel, you preface it with an equals operator, then put your prompt in quotes inside parentheses. You follow that with a comma and then add any "context" (aka the address of any specific cells) you want Copilot to look at. For example, in the video, Pidgeon and Principal PM Manager Joe McDaid use the COPILOT function to examine the sentiments in a spreadsheet full of comments about a coffee machine. The individual comments appear in the D column, starting at row four and ending at row 18. McDaid places a COPILOT formula below the data at cell D21. The formula reads: After a few seconds of processing, cell D21 shows a summary of all of the coffee machine reviews that reads "The coffee machine is generally praised for its ease of use, quick operation, and the fresh, consistently . . . " McDaid then changes the formula's prompt to read "Summarize this feedback into a sentence," and it recalculates into shorter text. Summarization, particularly sentiment summarization, is something new that GenAI brings to the table, which you can't do normally in Excel. You can also use the COPILOT function to sort data into a predefined set of categories. In another demo, McDaid has a list of four categories - Taste, Ease of Use, Noise, and Other - that he wants the function to assign to each of the 15 response rows. So he lists those four categories in cells B4 to B8. Then, in cell E4, right next to the column with the coffee machine reviews, he enters the following formula: This formula shows that the COPILOT function supports multiple prompts and contexts. After a second or two of processing, the E column, from E4 to E18, fills with categories that match the feedback of the cells in column D. For example, Copilot assigns the comment "This machine operates so quickly" to the Ease of Use category. In the next step, McDaid adds column headers for Sentiment and Emoji in F3 and G3, right next to the column header for Category in E3. Then he changes the formula in cell E4 to read: Excel then fills in all three columns next to each coffee machine review with a Category (ex: Ease of Use), a Sentiment (Positive or Negative), and an emoji of a smiley or frowny face. He then shows how these columns can roll up into a pivot table. In the blog post, Pidgeon also provides an example of the COPILOT function bringing information from the AI's knowledge graph into a spreadsheet. An animated GIF shows a user entering: The E3 cell has the name of a country in it. When E3 reads USA, cells D5 to D14 have US airport codes such as ATL, LAX, and JFK. When the user changes E3 to name Australia as the country, the airport codes change to SYD, MEL, BNE, etc. In the blog post, Pidgeon also explains that you can nest the COPILOT function inside other formulas or nest other formulas inside of it. For example, in the blog post, an animated GIF shows someone using WRAPROWS around the list of airport codes like so: The airport codes then appear in a grid formation that's three columns across and three rows tall. Microsoft will almost certainly expand the availability of the COPILOT feature. But, right now, you need to have Microsoft 365 Copilot, which costs $30 per user per month and you need to join the Microsoft 365 Insider program in the beta channel. ®

Excel formula meets AI prompt: Microsoft brings new 'COPILOT' function to spreadsheet cells

Microsoft is building generative AI directly into the cells of Excel, attempting to bring one of the defining apps of the PC revolution into a new generation of computing. A new "COPILOT" function for Microsoft's classic spreadsheet program lets users generate, summarize, and analyze data using plain-language prompts inside a cell. For example, a product manager with a column of raw customer feedback could type =COPILOT("What is the sentiment of the comment in cell A2?") to quickly label each remark as 'Positive,' 'Negative,' or 'Neutral,' without using a chatbot or plugin. "I just love this," Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella wrote on LinkedIn, sharing a demo video. In the 1990s, Nadella was a technical marketing manager for Excel -- once showing how the program could pull data from a mainframe into a spreadsheet using Windows NT Server, a capability considered cutting-edge at the time. The announcement Monday coincided with coordinated release of videos from tech influencers given early access to the tool. Their demos showed examples such as the ability to generate product descriptions, clean messy data by extracting names and phone numbers, and explain complex Excel formulas in plain English. The move reflects broader attempts by Microsoft and other tech giants, including Google, Adobe, Salesforce and others, to refresh legacy apps with AI features. Previous integrations of AI into Excel focused on explaining complex formulas or suggesting data visualizations from the sidelines, acting more as a helpful guide than an active co-worker in the grid. Microsoft says the feature is rolling out now on Excel for Windows and Mac to Beta Channel users with Microsoft 365 Copilot licenses and recent versions of the software. The company says the feature will be available for Excel on the web soon through its Frontier program.

Excel's Latest Feature Will Make Your Cells Way Smarter

I Watch Everything With Subtitles. These Are My Biggest Pet Peeves Summary A new Copilot function in Excel helps perform complex data analysis using natural language prompts in formulas. Integration with Excel's core calculation engine ensures AI-generated results update with source data changes. The quality of output depends on user prompt clarity, but if you do it right, you can even nest Copilot within traditional Excel functions. It's the AI age, and most new features we'll see on the software we use daily will probably be AI features -- until the bubble eventually pops, at least. Now, Excel is getting a new Copilot function, and if you use it right, it could be pretty useful. Microsoft Excel is adding a new Copilot function. I'm sure you know what Copilot is, so you can imagine what this function does. And it's also not the only Copilot-based addition to Excel in recent times. But if you need some explaining, it lets you perform complex data analysis and content generation using simple, natural language prompts within a formula. You just type out the prompt in the formula the same way you would type out a prompt in a chatbot, and Excel will populate one or multiple fields to the best of its ability within the parameters you specified in said formula. Instead of giving you a text output, it will try to follow your instructions to look up and add info to your sheet. Unlike existing AI add-ins or separate applications, this function is built into Excel's core calculation engine. This integration means that any AI-generated results will automatically update whenever the source data in the referenced cells changes. The new feature operates like any other Excel formula. All you need to do is enter =COPILOT() into a cell with a series of arguments that define the task. The basic syntax is =COPILOT(prompt_part1, [context1], ...), where "prompt_part" is the text instruction for the AI model, and the optional context is a cell or range of cells containing the data to be analyzed -- in case you need Copilot to analyze some cells within your sheet, since it can otherwise just pull up stuff from its knowledge base. It can't search the internet just yet, but it might get this capability in the future. For instance, a user with a column of customer feedback could use the formula =COPILOT("Classify the sentiment of this feedback as Positive, Negative, or Neutral", A2:A100) to automatically analyze and categorize each comment. The function can also be nested within other traditional Excel functions like IF or LAMBDA, letting you put together neat stuff such as financial models and dashboards. The quality of the output is highly dependent on the clarity of the user's prompt. Direct action words like "summarize" or "rank" and providing examples within the prompt are recommended for achieving the best results. Of course, it's AI, and it can make mistakes, so if the output isn't quite what you're looking for, you can tweak the prompt until you get the result you want. This feature is now landing for Beta users with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license, and it will become available on the web version through the Frontier program as well. It will probably land for folks on the stable branch within the next few weeks or months. Source: Microsoft

No escape from AI now - Microsoft is shoving Copilot into every Excel cell

Microsoft is rolling out a new Excel AI function directly into cells, so you can leverage generative AI and tap into even more information even more easily than you can strike up a simple formula in its spreadsheet software. Copilot in Excel cells is rolling out to Microsoft 365 Copilot beta users in the Insider Program and Beta Channel to start off with, the tighter AI integration will be available on Windows (Version 2509+) and Mac (Version 16.101+) before it comes to the web version. Working like a normal Microsoft Excel function, users can add prompts in quotes and optional cell ranges for even more context, leading results to automatically change when the source data changes. "Just enter a natural language prompt in your spreadsheet, reference cell values as needed, and watch Copilot instantly generate AI-powered results," Partner Director Catherine Pidgeon explained in a blog post. Besides using the AI tool to create new types of prompts or generate formulas that they might not have been able to do without expert knowledge, users can also combine the Excel COPILOT formula with other functions like IF, SWITCH, LAMBDA, or WRAPROWS. Some examples of =COPILOT's use cases include summarizing customer feedback, categorizing data, integrating external knowledge and formatting. In its most simple form, a function might look like "=COPILOT(prompt_part1, [context1])" - though context is optional. Pidgeon noted the =COPILOT function only uses data it was trained on, so it cannot access new data from the web or company documents at this stage. Being a beta product, there are still some improvements that Microsoft hopes to make to its Excel AI assistant, including more data sources beyond the LLM training and enabling date formatting per Excel's date serial format rather than text-only, as is currently the case.

Excel tests Copilot AI function for data summaries

Microsoft Excel is currently testing a new Copilot() function designed to bring artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities to its spreadsheet software for both Mac and Windows users. This function aims to allow users to summarize data into paragraphs and sentences. The Copilot() function is being integrated directly into Microsoft Excel's calculation engine. This integration ensures that as data is modified within spreadsheets, the results generated by Copilot are updated simultaneously. This eliminates the need for users to re-run scripts or refresh add-ins to see the updated summaries and analyses. The new Copilot function works in conjunction with existing Excel formulas, including IF, SWITCH, LAMBDA, and WRAPROWS. This compatibility allows users to leverage their existing knowledge of Excel formulas while incorporating the AI-powered features of Copilot. Users can initiate the function by typing "COPILOT" into a cell, followed by specific code. Microsoft suggests this structure: "=COPILOT(prompt_part1, [context1], [prompt_part2], [context2], ...)." The "prompt text" defines the task or query for the AI model, while the "context" provides reference data from the grid, which can be a single cell or a range of cells. Microsoft has stated that user data transmitted through the Copilot function is "never used" to train or improve large language models (LLM). The company emphasizes the confidentiality of user information, stating, "The information you input remains confidential and is used solely to generate your requested output." Besides generating summaries, Excel's Copilot() function enables users to generate ideas, classify data, and create lists or tables. This multifaceted approach expands the utility of Excel by incorporating AI-driven assistance for various data-related tasks. Microsoft has identified and is actively addressing several bugs within the Copilot() function. One issue involves rows being omitted when returning arrays. The company suggests that restructuring queries to return smaller array results can bypass this problem. Furthermore, the company is working to resolve an issue where the Copilot function returns dates as text rather than Excel's date serial format. Currently, the Copilot function is being rolled out to beta channel users who possess a Microsoft 365 Copilot license. It is available for Excel for Windows version 2509 (build 19212.20000 or later) and Excel for Mac version 16.101 (build 25081334 or later). Microsoft intends to provide web users with access to this functionality soon via the Frontier program. In addition to its summary capabilities, the Copilot function has the potential to perform sentiment analysis. This could involve assigning specific emojis to data points, providing a visual representation of data sentiment and facilitating easier interpretation. OpenAI is also reportedly developing ChatGPT productivity tools aimed at spreadsheets and presentations. These tools would potentially allow users to create and edit spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations directly from the ChatGPT interface, possibly reducing reliance on Microsoft's Excel and PowerPoint applications.

Microsoft Excel's New Copilot Function Adds These AI-Powered Features

OpenAI was reportedly also working on ChatGPT support for Excel Microsoft Excel is now testing a new Copilot() function for its spreadsheet software. The new Copilot function will bring a suite of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered features to Excel, which will allow users to summarise a spreadsheet's data, whether it belongs to a specific column, row (or the entire table) into paragraphs and sentences. It will be available to both Mac and Windows users. However, it is currently only rolling out to Microsoft Office beta versions and the Microsoft Excel for Mac version 16.101. Microsoft Excel's Copilot Function Can Perform Sentiment Analysis In a blog post, the Redmond-based tech company has announced that it is integrating the Copilot() function into Microsoft Excel, bringing AI-enabled features to the software. With the added functionality, the users will now be able to summarise spreadsheet data, presented in tables, into paragraphs and sentences. The features will now be able to do sentiment analysis. For example, the Copilot function will be able to assign specific emojis to specific data points for easier viewing. The Copilot function has been integrated directly into Microsoft Excel's calculation engine. As the data is modified in one of the spreadsheets, the results simultaneously get updated. It also eliminates the need for users to re-run scripts and refresh add-ins. The new function works with the existing formulas, like IF, SWITCH, LAMBDA, or WRAPROWS. How to Use Microsoft Excel's Copilot Function One can initiate the function by simply typing "COPILOT" into one of the cells, followed by the code. For example, "=COPILOT(prompt_part1, [context1], [prompt_part2], [context2], ...)". The prompt text describes the task or query for the AI model, context provides reference from the grid, present in a single cell or a range. The company said that a user's data, sent through the new Copilot function, is "never used" to train or improve the large language models (LLM). "The information you input remains confidential and is used solely to generate your requested output," the company added. In addition to generating summaries, Excel's new Copilot() function will also allow users to generate ideas, classify data, and create lists or tables, according to Microsoft. Microsoft Excel Working on Known Copilot() Bugs Microsoft also highlighted a few issues that it is working to resolve. The Redmond-based tech giant has found that rows can be omitted when returning arrays, which the company said can be bypassed by restructuring queries to return smaller array results. In the future, the company could add support for the LLM to work without access to web or enterprise data. As of now, the Copilot function returns dates as text rather than Excel's date serial format, which Microsoft is looking to fix, too. The Copilot function is currently rolling out to beta channel users who have a Microsoft 365 Copilot licence. It is available for Excel for Windows version 2509 (build 19212.20000 or later) and Excel for Mac version 16.101 (build 25081334 or later). Web users will also get access to the new functionality soon via the Frontier program. According to a recent report, OpenAI has also been developing a ChatGPT productivity tools that would reduce a user's reliance on Microsoft's Excel and PowerPoint. With this, the company is reportedly aiming to allow users to create and edit spreadsheets and PowerPointt presentations directly form the ChatGPT interface.

New Excel's Copilot() Function : AI Spreadsheets Just Got Smarter

What if your Excel spreadsheet could think for you? Imagine typing a simple prompt like "Summarize sales trends by region" and watching as your data transforms into actionable insights, no formulas, no coding, no hassle. With Microsoft's new Copilot() function, this isn't just a fantasy; it's the new reality. By embedding artificial intelligence directly into Excel, the Copilot() function promises to transform how we interact with data, making even the most complex tasks feel effortless. Whether you're a seasoned analyst or someone who dreads spreadsheets, this feature is poised to redefine productivity for everyone. In this overview, Kevin Stratvert explains how the Copilot() function works, what makes it so fantastic, and how it can be applied to real-world scenarios. From automating repetitive tasks to extracting insights from unstructured text, this AI-powered tool bridges the gap between technical expertise and everyday usability. But it's not just about saving time, it's about unlocking new possibilities for creativity and decision-making. So, how does this function turn simple prompts into powerful results? Let's uncover the potential of Excel's smartest upgrade yet. The 'Copilot()' function is an AI-powered formula embedded within Excel. By entering '=Copilot()' into a cell, users can provide natural language instructions and reference specific data ranges. The function interprets these inputs to deliver outputs such as summaries, categorizations, sentiment analysis, or dynamic lists. This eliminates the need for advanced coding knowledge, making sure that AI capabilities are accessible to a broad audience. This feature is designed to bridge the gap between technical expertise and practical application, allowing users to focus on decision-making rather than manual data manipulation. Whether you're a data analyst or a casual user, the 'Copilot()' function adapts to your needs, offering a seamless way to interact with data. The versatility of the 'Copilot()' function makes it a valuable tool for a wide range of tasks. Its ability to interpret natural language inputs allows users to perform complex operations with minimal effort. Below are some practical applications that demonstrate its potential: These applications highlight the function's ability to simplify tasks that would otherwise require significant manual effort or advanced technical skills. Here are more detailed guides and articles that you may find helpful on AI in Excel. The 'Copilot()' function excels at extracting and categorizing data, even from unstructured text. By combining it with regular expressions (regex), users can efficiently extract specific details such as names, phone numbers, or email addresses. This capability is particularly useful for managing large datasets where manual extraction would be time-consuming. Dynamic categorization is another strength of the 'Copilot()' function. For instance, users can group survey responses into predefined categories or organize sales data by region with a simple prompt. This ensures consistency in data analysis while reducing the risk of human error. By automating these processes, the function allows users to focus on interpreting results rather than performing tedious tasks. The 'Copilot()' function also supports the creation of customized schedules or itineraries. By providing input criteria such as time slots, audience preferences, or event details, users can generate tailored plans for meetings, conferences, or personal activities. This feature is particularly useful for project managers or event planners seeking to optimize schedules. Additionally, the function can evaluate and rate tasks or events based on engagement levels or other qualitative metrics. For example, users can assign ratings to activities based on their impact or relevance, providing deeper insights into performance and priorities. This adds a layer of qualitative analysis to traditional data management. The 'Copilot()' function enhances data visualization by allowing users to incorporate symbols, emojis, or icons into their spreadsheets. For example, users can use emojis to represent engagement levels, performance ratings, or activity types. This visual element makes data more engaging and easier to interpret at a glance. By improving the clarity and appeal of spreadsheets, this feature assists better communication and understanding among team members or stakeholders. Whether you're presenting data to a client or collaborating with colleagues, enhanced visualization ensures that your insights are effectively conveyed. While the 'Copilot()' function offers numerous benefits, it is important to understand its limitations and requirements. Here are some key considerations: Understanding these limitations ensures that users can maximize the function's potential while avoiding potential pitfalls. The 'Copilot()' function represents a significant advancement in integrating AI into everyday tools like Excel. By automating tasks such as data extraction, analysis, and visualization, it enables users to focus on higher-value activities. Whether you're summarizing datasets, analyzing customer feedback, or creating dynamic schedules, this feature adapts to your needs and enhances productivity. Microsoft's integration of AI into Excel reflects a broader shift toward smarter, more efficient workflows. The 'Copilot()' function is not just a tool, it's a resource that unlocks the full potential of your data. By simplifying complex processes and allowing intuitive interactions, it allows you to work smarter, not harder, in today's data-driven world.