Meet =COPILOT(): Excel's Native AI That Rewrites Spreadsheet Workflows

Microsoft has added a built-in COPILOT function to Excel for Windows and Mac, bringing large language models (LLMs) directly into spreadsheets. Rather than relying on external add-ins or separate chat tools, users can now use natural language prompts inside cells to analyze, summarize, and generate data.

How COPILOT works

COPILOT is a worksheet function that accepts natural-language prompt fragments and optional cell or range references as context. The basic syntax is simple and designed to live inside Excel’s calculation engine:

text=COPILOT(prompt_part1, [context1], [prompt_part2], [context2], ...)

• prompt_part: A text string that describes the AI task (for example, "Classify this feedback" or "Summarize A1:A50").
• context (optional): A cell or range reference that the AI will use as input data.

Key features

• Instant AI-powered analysis: Enter a prompt and optionally point to ranges; COPILOT generates summaries, categories, lists, and more, updating automatically as the underlying data changes.
• Seamless integration: COPILOT sits inside Excel’s calculation engine and can be combined with standard functions like IF, SWITCH, or LAMBDA so you can fuse traditional workbook logic with AI results.
• Dynamic updates: Outputs recalculate automatically—no separate scripts, add-ins, or manual refresh steps required.
• Broad use cases: From sentiment classification and summary generation to SEO brainstorming and automated table creation, COPILOT adapts to analytical and creative workflows.

Example usage

text=COPILOT("Classify this feedback", D4:D18)
text=COPILOT("Generate airport codes for major US cities")
text=COPILOT("Summarize", A1:A50)

Technical insights

• Auto-updates and confidentiality: COPILOT recalculates when workbook data changes. Microsoft says user-provided data is not used to train the underlying AI models, helping preserve confidentiality.
• Function call limits: The current limits are 100 COPILOT calls every 10 minutes and 300 calls per hour. Grouping data into arrays and passing them in a single call can improve efficiency.
• Integration with other formulas: COPILOT outputs can feed other formulas, dramatically expanding what you can analyze directly in the sheet.
• Data scope: At launch, COPILOT only uses workbook data. Support for live web data and internal business documents is planned for future updates.
• Opt-in implementation: COPILOT exists in a workbook only if you choose to use it.

Availability and rollout

• Beta channel: Available now for Microsoft 365 Copilot license holders on Windows Excel version 2509+ or Mac version 16.101+.
• Excel for Web: Rolling out soon via the Frontier program.

How COPILOT changes workflows

COPILOT closes the gap between spreadsheets and external AI chat tools by making AI-native analysis auto-refreshing and formula-driven. Common scenarios include:

• Brainstorming: Rapidly generate SEO keywords, rewrite messaging, or ideate product features inside the workbook.
• Classification and tagging: Categorize tickets, survey responses, or feedback at scale without external services.
• Reporting and summarization: Turn dense datasets into narrative summaries for stakeholders.
• Automation: Produce lists, tables, or project plans from a single prompt and populate the grid instantly.

Tips for getting better results

• Prompt engineering matters: Be explicit about the task, specify ranges, and request a desired output format (table, list, etc.).
• Use action-oriented directives: Words like "summarize" or "categorize" tend to produce clearer outputs.
• Validate outputs: Review AI-generated results for business-critical decisions.
• Maximize efficiency: Pass arrays instead of many individual cells to conserve call quotas.

Additional resources

For technical details, tutorials, sample notebooks and community discussions, Microsoft and community pages are being updated alongside the rollout. Expect integrations with live data sources and internal document access in future releases.