Posted on 03/17/2025 by Niko Venev
Artificial intelligence (AI) has found its way into nearly every major piece of software, and Excel is right there in the mix. Microsoft 365 Copilot is built into Excel and designed to make everything from data entry to analysis faster and more intuitive. But even tools within Excel that aren't officially labeled as AI often have similar automation and decision-making features that can enhance productivity. Some users who are more comfortable with ChatGPT have also powered up their data processing capabilities by combining this AI tool with Excel in different ways.
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With Copilot, Excel users can quickly handle everyday tasks like inserting columns, applying formulas, formatting tables, and extracting insights from data. AI can also support more advanced tasks, such as cleaning and preparing data, pulling specific information from large datasets, running in-depth analyses, generating ideas, and building predictive models./p>
AI has a reputation for supercharging Excel's basic tools. For example, while the Power Query function has existed for years, with AI layered in, it becomes even more effective at organizing messy data. Similarly, while Excel can handle nearly any complex formula, its AI tools can suggest more relevant formulas or generate multi-function formulas based on your previous input./p>
One of the biggest benefits of using Excel and AI is how much easier it becomes to interpret massive datasets. Whether you're spotting trends or building forecasts, AI automation saves time and cuts down on repetitive tasks. It's especially useful in fast-paced environments where speed and accuracy matter, and since Excel scales well, it can grow alongside your business needs.
From finance and marketing to education and HR, Excel's AI capabilities are being put to work across a wide range of industries, including sales, finance, marketing, education, and human resources. They're also ideal for internal operations like inventory tracking and business reporting.
The AI built into Excel is designed to streamline your work, so as you work within Excel, it may start suggesting quicker ways to complete tasks or highlight smarter data strategies based on your habits. And no programming knowledge is needed: Using Excel with AI tools is as simple as choosing the function you want from within Excel's default interface. You can also find Copilot on the Home tab, where you can either type in a prompt or select one from a list. There's also a "View Prompts" option that shows you what Copilot can do, offering ideas for how to make the most of the AI. When prompting Copilot, it's important to have a clear idea of what you're trying to do; the more intentional your commands are, the better the AI performs.
Those already comfortable with AI can take things further by combining Excel and an AI GPT outside of Copilot. When Excel and ChatGPT work together, the result can be a significant boost in productivity. ChatGPT can generate formulas on demand, interpret data instantly, and offer clear visualizations that bring numbers to life. There are two main ways to integrate ChatGPT with Excel: through a paid add-on or by using the standalone AI tool and manually transferring input and output between them. Either option opens up a world of possibilities.
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