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Copilot in Excel: how to use it well
Copilot is Microsoft's AI assistant built into Excel. It can explain formulas, write them, summarize a table and suggest charts. Before you start, check that it is included in your Microsoft 365 license: availability depends on the plan.
What you can ask it
- Explain a formula you do not understand, step by step.
- Write a formula from a plain-language description.
- Highlight outliers and trends in the data.
- Summarize a table in a few sentences.
- Suggest charts and summary tables.
First of all, prepare your data
An AI assistant only works well on tidy data. Check these points:
- clear headers in the first row;
- a single table per sheet, with no merged cells;
- consistent formats for dates and numbers;
- no total rows in the middle of the data.
6 prompts to try
PROMPT 1Explain this formula step by step: [paste the formula].
PROMPT 2Write a formula that sums the sales in column [C] when the region in column [B] is [North] and the month is [January].
PROMPT 3Highlight the rows with unusual values in the [Sales] column and explain why.
PROMPT 4Summarize this table in 5 points for an executive.
PROMPT 5Suggest three charts suited to comparing [indicator] across [regions] over time.
PROMPT 6Create a summary table with sales by category and by month.
Mistakes to avoid
- Trusting without checking. Verify every result with a spot-check calculation.
- Asking for everything at once. Work in steps: clean first, then analyze, then create the chart.
- Using confidential data without checking the rules of your company.
From prompt to dashboard
With the same steps you get to a dashboard with linked filters and charts. You can try an interactive example on the home page or download the free Excel template and adapt it to your data.
Want to learn to use AI in your work?
Download the free Excel dashboard template and the 30 prompts, or book a free 30-minute session.