The assistant known as Copilot is getting integrated into Microsoft Excel. In other words, more of its features are being added to this well-known spreadsheet application. Starting today, a new COPILOT function will be available for beta testers, and it’s expected to become accessible to many users soon.
The COPILOT feature enables you to incorporate natural language commands directly into your spreadsheets. This means you can request specific cell values or sort data using simple, everyday phrases. Since it operates as a function, COPILOT can be utilized in conjunction with other functions within the spreadsheet.
According to Microsoft’s blog post, it’s often challenging and labor-intensive to organize data, condense comments, classify material, and generate new concepts.
The updated COPILOT feature in both Excel for Windows and Mac versions is designed to streamline your tasks and boost the efficiency of your work processes. By simply typing a natural language query within your spreadsheet, you can call upon Copilot to swiftly generate AI-driven outcomes using referenced cell values.
One advantage of making COPILOT a function is that its outcomes and computed values adjust instantly whenever data is modified. This behavior aligns with standard functions in Excel, providing a more adaptable solution compared to utilizing Copilot or another AI tool outside the application and subsequently importing the results.
To activate the COPILOT function, simply navigate to any cell, type an equals sign (=), followed by “Copilot”. After doing so, you will see a presentation of options related to COPILOT.
=COPILOT(prompt_part1, [context1], [prompt_part2], [context2], …)
In simpler terms, the initial section of the text instructs the assistant (Copilot). Meanwhile, the subsequent portion serves as a guide for referring to specific data points within your spreadsheet, like individual cells or groups of cells.
Using AI as an asssitant
While AI is frequently subjected to critique, much of it is warranted. Many businesses seem to forcefully integrate AI into applications where it may not be essential. This was alleged in the case of Microsoft adding Copilot to Notepad.
As a devoted user, I must say the introduction of the COPILOT function is truly game-changing! Unlike typical web app or AI tool integrations, this function stands alone in its category, offering practical results that are incredibly useful. It’s like getting an upgrade to Excel itself, enabling me to tackle tasks using natural language instead of requiring expert-level knowledge of the platform. This new feature is a dream come true for any Excel enthusiast!
One way to rephrase the given text while maintaining the original meaning and making it more conversational and easy to read would be:
“I find data classification particularly useful, often utilizing Excel for feedback. As my team is small enough to address individual feedback, I can see how a classification feature could prove beneficial in streamlining our processes.
In the demonstrative video provided by Microsoft, the speaker illustrates how the COPILOT function is utilized to classify comments regarding a coffee machine. The presentation includes a visual cue to represent the general opinions expressed in each comment, and it condenses the feedback into a coherent statement or passage.
Microsoft’s blog post emphasizes that the same feature can be applied to managing support tickets and labeling data.
Although I’m not a top-tier competitor in the Excel World Championships (yes, it does exist), I can definitely appreciate how COPILOT could help optimize a workflow and enhance the functionality of a spreadsheet.
In a recent blog post, Microsoft shares helpful hints and techniques for utilizing the COPILOT function. Notably, they mention certain constraints associated with this feature. As it stands, the COPILOT function derives its data from Copilot, making it incapable of accessing real-time web data or internal business documents.
You can import documents into Excel to provide access to that information to COPILOT.
Currently, the COPILOT function allows for a maximum of 100 calls within every 10-minute interval and up to 300 calls per hour. However, Microsoft intends to increase these limits at some point in the future.
In order to activate the COPILOT feature, you must be enrolled in the Beta Channel and hold a valid Microsoft 365 Copilot subscription.
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2025-08-19 16:40