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Copilot Tips: Excel =Copilot – Tech Tip for August 22, 2025

In this week’s tech tip, we’re rounding out our series on working with Microsoft Copilot in Excel by exploring one of the newest and most powerful features: the COPILOT function. Unlike traditional Excel formulas, the COPILOT function will allow you to write natural language prompts directly in a cell. This means you can ask Copilot to analyze, summarize, or transform your data right where you need it—without switching windows or creating complex formulas.

Currently the =COPILOT function is rolling out in select Microsoft 365 Beta/Insider channels and requires a Copilot-enabled license. If you don’t see it yet, you can still use the Copilot pane in Excel to achieve similar results. This makes the feature an exciting addition that will be broadly available in the near future. Let’s get started!

How the =COPILOT Function Works

Let’s break down the formula syntax Microsoft has set for this function to work. The cell formula syntax is equal parts prompt and context. Context is optional, but it can certainly help if you are working with a large or complex dataset or content.

  • Prompt: Describe the query or task that you would like Copilot’s AI to generate.
  • Context (Optional): Reference the data or content in your sheet. Refer to specific cells or a block or range of cells.
  • Call the Function: Begin with =COPILOT in a cell or in the Formula bar.
  • Prompt in Parentheses and Quotes: Use “Summarize this feedback,” or “Analyze this data for outliers”.
  • Add a Comma: Separate your prompts from your context when referring to cells and use the column letter and the row number. For a range of cells, the example would be ‘B12:D20.’
  • Don’t forget to close your parentheses to complete the formula. Press ‘Enter’ on your keyboard to generate a response.

Practical Ways to Use =COPILOT

There are many ways this new Excel function can make your work faster and smarter. From organizing data to generating insights or even creative ideas, here are a few practical examples to get you started from within a single cell or in your Formula bar:

  • Classify Feedback: Use =COPILOT(“Classify this feedback”, B12:D20) to quickly categorize survey responses or customer comments.
  • Summarize Data: Enter =COPILOT(“Summarize sales by region”, B4:F25) and get a plain-language breakdown of your numbers.
  • Spot Trends: Try =COPILOT(“Highlight any unusual response rates”, C4:C22) to detect outliers instantly.
  • Brainstorm Ideas: Go beyond analysis—using =COPILOT(“Suggest three new ways to make our customers happy from this feedback”) can even generate creative content directly in your worksheet.

This new function can also help generate summaries, and create lists and tables, fitting them directly into your sheet, seamlessly.

TIPS: If Copilot is returning a “#NAME?” error in Excel, this means that the app does not yet recognize this as a function in your current version.

TIPS: The “=COPILOT ()” function is currently only available in Microsoft 365 Copilot Beta for specific Channels. Availability: Excel for Windows Beta Channel (Version 2509+) and Excel for Mac Beta Channel (16.101+).

TIPS: The =COPILOT function returns dates as text rather than Excel’s serial format. Microsoft is working on this function bug.

Use the Excel Copilot Pane for Access

If you are missing this new Excel function, you can still use Copilot’s powerful features to analyze, classify, spot trends, and brainstorm ideas by opening the Copilot pane for access.

From Excel:

  • Open the Copilot Pane: From the ‘Home’ tab select the ‘Copilot’ icon to open.
  • Select the Data: Click and drag your cursor to highlight your data range.
  • Prompt with Copilot: Type in the Copilot prompt area using natural language to engage with Copilot.
    • Try the Prompts: “Summarize this feedback,” “Highlight outliers in this survey data,” or “Help me analyze my specific location survey data.”
  • Add Context: Add context to your prompt conversation if you aren’t getting the correct response right away.

Things to Keep in Mind

As with any Copilot feature, there are some important details to be aware of when using the new =COPILOT function in Excel. Paying attention to these points will help you get accurate results and use the feature effectively:

  • As always with LLM AI, the =COPILOT function works best with clear, concise, prompting along with context. Be direct.
  • The new =COPILOT function will automatically update and refresh your data changes, and should do so automatically, according to Microsoft. No more refreshing data!
  • Usage Limits: 100 calls per 10 minutes, and 300 per hour. Microsoft notes that one way to get around this is to use ‘passing arrays,’ a single call that includes a larger range of data versus ‘dragging or filling a function across multiple cells’ which would count as multiple individual calls.
  • As Microsoft continues to develop the new function, they are endeavoring to include more rich details for supporting users and have noted that they will continue to work on better large array and function bug support, benchmarking new models as they evolve, and providing better guidance.

The =COPILOT function represents a major shift for Excel users—bringing AI directly into the cells of your spreadsheets. For users still awaiting this feature, using the Copilot pane in the app today can still give you a head start on more intelligent data analysis, saving you time, and reducing effort to achieve better results.

Reach Out to TechWise Group

Interested in learning more about Microsoft Copilot and Excel? Reach out to TechWise Group. We’ll help you make the most of your Microsoft tools.

Important Microsoft Announcements:

  • Prepare for Windows Server 2016 End of Support (EoS):
    • Extended Support ends on January 12, 2027.
  • Windows 10 reached End of Support (EoS) on October 14, 2025:
    • Put a plan in place to upgrade to Windows 11.
  • Maximize your organization’s Security with Secure Score and MFA:
    • Get to know your Secure Score—your essential tool for proactive threat management.
    • Enabling Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is the best way to prevent cyberthreats.
  • Give your business a productivity boost with Microsoft Copilot:
    • Get started with Copilot consulting services to organize and secure your data, while also training you and your team.
  • Contact TechWise Group to get started.