Microsoft has added an AI assistant to Excel

# Microsoft has added an AI assistant to Excel

Microsoft Excel is testing a new AI-powered tool that can automatically fill in cells in spreadsheets.

Time to meet a new function. Type =COPILOT() to experience AI-powered analysis, summaries, data classifications, & more: Try it now: pic.twitter.com/C8oQepB99y

— Microsoft Excel (@msexcel) August 18, 2025

This uses the COPILOT function with natural language prompts and specifying the necessary cells. The AI can classify information, create summaries, generate tables, and perform other tasks.

For example, if there is a column in Excel with reviews about a coffee machine, they can be quickly classified using a neural network. To do this, the formula =COPILOT("Classify this feedback", D4:D18) is used.

Copilot in Excel!

Microsoft just announced the Copilot function in Excel, which lets you analyze, generate content, and brainstorm directly in Excel.

Как это работает 🧵 pic.twitter.com/OPm2fLq7K2

— Python Space (@python_spaces) August 19, 2025

Other examples of commands:

• text generation: =COPILOT( "Create a description for this product based on its specs", B2:B8);
• text summary: =COPILOT( "Summarize this feedback", A2:A20).

The new tool is based on gpt-4.1-mini from OpenAI. It can be combined with other Excel functions like IF, SWITCH, LAMBDA, or WRAPROWS.

The company emphasized that the data transmitted through COPILOT is not used for training artificial intelligence. The interaction remains confidential.

Among the limitations of COPILOT: lack of access to information outside the table and the ability to use only for calculations up to 100 functions every 10 minutes.

The tool is distributed among Windows and Mac users with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license.

In June, a similar service appeared in Google Sheets, and on August 18, the corporation added the ability to create audio versions of documents in Docs using artificial intelligence.

Users can choose different voices and playback speeds. The feature is available for file authors and readers. To activate it, you need to go to "Tools", select "Audio" and "Listen to this tab".

Currently, audio versions can only be created in English on desktop devices. The integration of this feature starts with Workspace users on business plans, corporate clients, educational institutions, and owners of AI Pro and Ultra subscriptions.

Recall that in July, Microsoft added a new feature called Copilot Mode to the Edge browser, which allows users to browse web pages using artificial intelligence.