Copilot in Excel

Formulas, pivot tables and pattern finding in an Excel table from a plain-language request

Copilot in Excel opens from a ribbon button and works with data formatted as a Table. It writes formulas from a description, adds calculated columns, builds pivot tables and charts, highlights anomalies and answers questions about the data. The =COPILOT() function fills cells with model answers for every row, for example classifying expenses or extracting the counterparty name from a payment reference. It comes with Microsoft 365 Copilot for business and Copilot Pro for individuals.

Free plan

In free Excel for the web the Copilot button is missing or answers only general questions without access to the table

Paid plans

Copilot in Excel pricing

Tasks it handles well

• Get a spreadsheet formula from a plain-language request
• Reconcile the trial balance with the bank and source documents
• Analyze budget variances, actual versus plan
• Find discrepancies in a counterparty reconciliation statement
• Design a KPI dashboard for the business owner
• Keep a contract register and track deadlines
• Build a 12-week cash flow forecast
• Select an audit sample of transactions
• Calculate product cost
• Build a pricing model
• Write the financial section of a business plan
• Prepare a business case for a project
• Classify expenses by category
• Turn a table into a clear chart

Most useful for

• Accountant
• Lawyer
• HR manager
• Finance manager
• Manager
• Marketer
• Sales manager
• Data analyst
• Teacher
• Executive assistant
• Logistics manager
• Procurement manager

Pitfalls to watch at work

• Copilot works only with a range formatted as a table (Ctrl+T) with headers in the first row: on a plain sheet with merged cells it refuses or gets things wrong
• The file must be in OneDrive or SharePoint with AutoSave on; Copilot cannot see a local file on your disk
• Check a formula on control rows: the model confuses absolute and relative references and the direction of a condition
• The =COPILOT() function recalculates and may return a different result: save the result as values before building a report on it

Billing

Not sold separately: included in Microsoft 365 Copilot (business, through the admin or a partner) or in Copilot Pro together with Microsoft 365 Personal or Family.

Compare Copilot in Excel with

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