The new =COPILOT() function in Excel, now available in the Beta channel for Microsoft 365 Copilot users, brings the power of large language models directly into the spreadsheet grid. This makes tasks like data analysis, summarizing feedback, or creating reports faster and more intuitive than ever.
AI in an Excel cell – how does it work?
The new feature was announced, among others, by Satya Nadella in his LinkedIn post.
The =COPILOT() formula in Excel is useful anywhere you need to handle time-consuming tasks—such as cleaning and organizing data, summarizing feedback, categorizing information, or even running quick brainstorming sessions. It comes in handy, for example, when analyzing survey responses, grouping customer comments, or generating helper tables for reports.
To use it, simply type the formula into a cell:
=COPILOT("Your command", A1:A50)
Prompts in the =COPILOT() function are written in natural language.
There’s no need to use rigid, predefined commands or complex formulas — Copilot leverages large language models that understand the context of your data and instructions.
Excel, powered by built-in AI, will analyze the specified data range and return a result — for example, it can classify customer feedback as positive, neutral, or negative, or generate a structured table of key information. Importantly, results update automatically whenever the source data in the spreadsheet changes.
This means that even repetitive tasks — such as cleaning up long lists of comments or preparing quick summaries for reports — can be done in seconds, without complex formulas, extra plugins, or external tools.
Copilot in Excel: How to use the new function
With =COPILOT(), Excel becomes a far more advanced tool for businesses that rely on data from ERP systems like Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. Here are some practical examples:
1. Sales and profitability analysis
Export your data from ERP to Excel and enter a simple command like:
=COPILOT("Summarize sales by region and highlight key insights", B2:D50)In seconds, you get a report that previously would have taken an analyst hours to prepare.
2. Customer data classification
Survey responses, service tickets, or quote requests can be automatically classified by sentiment, category, or priority. This helps sales and customer service teams make faster, better-informed decisions.
3. Brainstorming and content marketing
Copilot can help generate ideas — such as SEO keyword lists based on a product description or headline suggestions for an email campaign.
4. Reports in minutes
Instead of manually building summaries and analyses, simply select a range of ERP data and let Copilot generate a clear description of trends and actionable recommendations.
Try Copilot in your Excel today!
The introduction of =COPILOT() shows the direction Microsoft is taking: AI is becoming an integral part of office tools, not just an add-on.
For companies using the Microsoft ecosystem — including Dynamics 365 — this is another way to simplify data work, respond to changes faster, improve reporting, and make better decisions.
Want to learn how to connect Copilot in Excel with Dynamics 365 Business Central data?
Contact us using the form below — we’ll help you unlock the full potential of AI for reporting, analytics, and everyday data tasks.
FAQ – Copilot in Excel
What is the =COPILOT() function in Excel?
It’s a new feature that allows you to use AI directly in Excel cells. With it, you can analyze data, create summaries, categorize information, or generate lists and tables — all without writing complex formulas.
Does Copilot in Excel work with ERP data, such as Dynamics 365 Business Central?
Yes. Simply export your ERP data to Excel and use the =COPILOT() formula to quickly generate summaries or analyses.
Are my data safe?
Yes. Microsoft ensures that data sent to the =COPILOT() function is not used to train AI models and remains private.
Do I need an additional license to use Copilot in Excel?
Yes. The feature is available under the Microsoft 365 Copilot license and is currently in the Beta channel.
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