Microsoft has introduced the =COPILOT() function in Excel, embedding AI directly into spreadsheet cells. This formula turns natural-language prompts into structured outputs—no VBA, no complex formulas—so anyone can perform advanced analysis with a simple cell entry.
This essentially turns your prompts into Excel formulas direct from your excel cell!
This is in currently in public preview.
What It Is and How It Works
The COPILOT() function behaves like any native Excel formula. You type =COPILOT("and your prompt", [range]) in a cell, and Excel sends the request to the Copilot service (powered by Bing and ChatGPT). The AI returns a grid-friendly result that recalculates automatically whenever your source data changes. You can even nest COPILOT() inside functions like IF or LAMBDA for more sophisticated logic.
Core Capabilities
- Summarise, group, or categorise data using plain-English prompts
- Perform sentiment analysis on text feedback
- Extract and organise information from unstructured text (names, emails, URLs)
- Generate dynamic lists, schedules, or qualitative ratings
- Augment tables with symbols or simple markers for clearer storytelling
Key Use Cases
- Automating data cleanup: standardise formats, remove duplicates, split columns.
- Customer insights: turn free-text reviews into sentiment scores and themes.
- Sort data and represent in different formats without having to learn how to create pivot tables.
- Transforming data using formulas without having to write a formula.. Just natural language.
Prerequisites & Access
To use COPILOT() in Excel, you must meet the following requirements:
- Microsoft 365 commercial Copilot license (not included in Personal/Family plans)
- Microsoft Entra ID account and primary mailbox on Exchange Online.
- Excel Beta Channel build 19212.20000 or later / macOS build 25081334 or later
- Up to 100 function calls per 10 minutes (300 per hour); use array inputs to conserve quote.
- Data stored in the active workbook (external sources not yet supported
How to access:
- In Excel, go to File > Account > Office Insider and switch to the Beta Channel (Windows).
- On Mac, open Help > Check for Updates in Microsoft AutoUpdate and choose the Beta release.
- Sign in with your work/school account that has a Copilot license; use File > Account > Update License if needed
- Restart Excel—
=COPILOT()will now be available in any cell, or via the Home > Copilot pane.
Requirements and Limitations
- Not optimised for heavy numeric or matrix computations
- Outputs are dynamic—save critical results as values to prevent unintended changes
- Only works with in-workbook data; live web or external data access is pending
Why It Matters
Excel remains the lingua franca of business data. By transforming the grid into an interactive AI canvas, COPILOT() tears down formula-syntax barriers, accelerates decision-making, and empowers every user—from analysts to frontline managers—to become data storytellers. Enablement leaders can shift focus from formula training to writing effective AI prompts and compelling narratives.
In short, it’s powerful for people that are not excel formula wizards!
Start experimenting with prompts like:
- “Summarise quarterly revenue by account manager”
- “Rate these project tasks by impact and effort”
- “Extract email addresses from customer comments”
- “Normalise the addresses and add UK postcodes”
Let me know what you think? Useful? 👍👎