Automate Excel formulas with AI
AI in Excel automates routine tasks and generates formulas. It should speed up data work and make it more understandable. In addition to classic Excel functions there are Copilot features, a new COPILOT function directly in the cell as well as Python in Excel.
Quelle: Custom display
Introduction to AI in Excel
AI in Excel comprises three levels: First AI-powered assistants like Copilot in Excel, , which generate formulas from text instructions, fill columns or summarize analyses. Second new functions in the Excel formula core such as the COPILOT function, , which writes an instruction directly into a cell and references ranges. The output behaves like a normal formula. Third Automation rails like Office Scripts (JavaScript) and their Connection to Power Automate for recurring workflows beyond Excel. LAMBDA enables own, reusable functions directly in Excel without VBA. For analyses, there is Python in Excel, available, bringing Pandas & Co. into the workbook.
Quelle: buero-kaizen.de
Microsoft Copilot integrates seamlessly into Excel and helps users generate complex formulas.
Key technologies and functions
Microsoft first strengthened the formula foundation: Dynamic arrays spill results of variable length automatically into adjacent cells. LAMBDA was introduced in 2020/2021 and made Excel formally Turing-complete. 'Ideas' was renamed to Analyze Data renamed to 'Analyze Data' and provides automatic pivot and chart suggestions. In September 2024, Python in Excel arrived. Python in Excel general availability for Windows users in business and enterprise plans. In 2025 followed the new COPILOT function in Insider-/Beta channels, , which accepts natural language in the cell and can classify, summarize, or structure. Microsoft deliberately confines the use cases. . Parallel exists Copilot in Excel as an assistant, , which generates formulas for entire columns and explains them. For licenses and prerequisites there are own overviews and Requirements.
Quelle: YouTube
Analysis and impacts
The motivation for this development lies in automating repetitive data work, where AI can suggest formulas, label data, or relieve reports. Microsoft embeds AI more deeply into the workflow, for example with the COPILOT function in the grid instead of only as a chat window. This reduces friction in daily use. It also concerns governance: Copilot respects existing permissions and does not display data across user boundaries. There is, however, also a skeptical perspective: Early tests warn of limitations, and advise against deployments requiring high accuracy or reproducibility, such as financial reports. Media reports describe usage limits, and a staged availability, which makes expectation management important.
Quelle: excelmatic.ai
AI tools promise a significant acceleration in creating Excel and Google Sheets formulas.
Copilot in Excel can generate formulas for entire columns/rows and derive calculations from text instructions. The COPILOT function brings generative AI directly as a worksheet function into the formula context; start via Insider/Beta channels in 2025. Python in Excel has been available since September 2024 generally available for Windows in business/enterprise environments. It is unclear how quickly and broadly the COPILOT function will roll out from beta status, as Media reports discuss limits and staged availability. . The parity of functionality on Mac for tools like 'Evaluate Formula' is still unclear. . The claim that 'AI will replace Excel knowledge completely' is false; Microsoft and testers explicitly warn against using the COPILOT function in scenarios demanding accuracy/reproducibility.
Quelle: excelmaster.ai
A comparison of the intelligence of AI tools and human performance in Excel highlights the potential of automation.
Tech media see potential, but also friction: The Verge describes the benefit of the COPILOT function in classification and summarization, including usage limits. PC Gamer highlights the official warnings, , not to rely on AI results without verification. IT media discuss, how aggressively Microsoft distributes AI apps. . In practice this means using AI as a starting aid for formulas to derive a calculated column from a text task and then verify the suggestion or translate it into classical functions. For debugging, 'Evaluate Formula' remains valuable. Evaluate Formula valuable. For recurring patterns it's worth having a LAMBDA library. . For end-to-end automation, one binds Office Scripts to Power Automate to. Python in Excel plays to its strengths in data preparation, visualization, or modeling. . For Copilot, there are data protection and permission mechanisms to note: Copilot only shows data to which access already exists.
Quelle: YouTube
Open questions and conclusion
It remains open how quickly the COPILOT function will move from the beta channel into broad production environments and with what limits. Official License- and Requirements pages should be checked before rollout. Also the changes to the Copilot app installation and visibility, platform- and region-specific, for example with exceptions in the EEA, are political and regulatory in flux. . The closing of gaps in functional parity between Windows, Mac, and Web, for example in analysis or debugging tools, remains to be seen; Support forums and release notes.
AI in Excel is an accelerator: It helps, to find formulas faster, , identify patterns and automate routines, as long as the results are checked and translated into robust formulas. Who LAMBDA for reusable logic, Office Scripts for workflows and Python in Excel for analyses combined, builds a robust, traceable automation – with Copilot as a starting aid, not a replacement.