Excel's revolutionary COPILOT function brings AI directly into your spreadsheet cells
Microsoft just dropped the biggest Excel upgrade in years with the new COPILOT function that lets you write formulas in plain English. Just enter a natural language prompt in your spreadsheet, reference cell values as needed, and watch Copilot instantly generate AI-powered results.
This isn't just another AI tool - it's native integration that changes how we think about spreadsheets forever. Because this function is built into Excel's calculation engine, every time your data changes, your results automatically update, too.
How COPILOT Function Actually Works
The COPILOT function allows you to use natural language prompts within a spreadsheet. For example, you can use the function to reference cell values and categorize data. Instead of wrestling with complex VLOOKUP formulas, simply type =COPILOT("categorize these sales by region").
Users can describe their calculation requirements in natural language, and the AI translates these descriptions into functional Excel formulas. This eliminates the learning curve for advanced functions and makes Excel accessible to everyone.
This launch follows Google's introduction of an in-cell AI function called =AI() for Google Sheets in June 2025, and Microsoft's move to offer =COPILOT(...) positions Excel to compete on in-grid natural language data processing.
Availability and Current Limitations
The feature is rolling out now on Excel for Windows and Mac to Beta Channel users with Microsoft 365 Copilot licenses and recent versions of the software. You need Microsoft 365 Copilot, which costs $30 per user per month and you need to join the Microsoft 365 Insider program in the beta channel.
At launch the COPILOT function enforces usage limits: 100 calls every 10 minutes and up to 300 calls per hour. These are early scaling limits that Microsoft will likely adjust as adoption grows.
The Future of Spreadsheets is Here
This represents a fundamental shift in how we interact with data. Complex formulas, data analysis, and spreadsheet automation can now be achieved through conversational commands. Excel has officially entered the AI age, making powerful data manipulation accessible to millions of users worldwide.