Microsoft Copilot Pro is an AI assistant designed to enhance productivity and efficiency within Microsoft Office applications. In this article, we will explore the features and capabilities of Copilot Pro, focusing on its use in Microsoft Excel.
Copilot Pro is available to all Microsoft 365 users via an additional monthly subscription. It offers a range of AI-powered functionalities that can assist users in performing various tasks within Excel, such as data analysis, formatting, filtering, sorting, and chart creation.
With Copilot Pro, you can use natural language to tell Excel to do things like format a column as a short date or convert a column into currency, produce a chart or sort/filter your data.
Getting CoPilot to work in Excel
This confused me at the beginning, and I couldn’t understand why the Copilot icon was greyed out initially. To access Copilot Pro features in Excel, you need to do three things with your file. These are:
- your data is formatted as a table,
- the file is saved to Microsoft OneDrive, and
- autosave is enabled.
Once these prerequisites are met, the Copilot icon will be active and ready for use.
Key Features of CoPilot Pro in Excel
Some of the key features of Copilot Pro in Excel include:
1. Formatting Data: Copilot Pro allows users to convert data into different formats, such as currency. By simply specifying the column and the desired format, Copilot Pro will apply the formatting automatically.
2. Calculations and Formulas: Users can instruct Copilot Pro to perform calculations and create formulas using natural language commands. For example, users can ask Copilot Pro to calculate the total sales by multiplying the unit price and the units sold.
3. Filtering and Sorting: Copilot Pro enables users to filter and sort data based on specific criteria. Users can specify the filter conditions, such as product type or units sold, and Copilot Pro will apply the filters accordingly.
4. Chart Creation: Copilot Pro can generate charts based on the data provided. Users can request bar charts, scatter graphs, or pie charts, and Copilot Pro will create the visual representation accordingly.
While Copilot Pro offers convenience and time-saving benefits, it is important to note that experienced Excel users may find some of these features redundant or slower compared to their usual methods. However, for less experienced users, Copilot Pro can be a valuable tool for simplifying complex tasks and providing guidance in real language.
This video walks through some of the things you can do with CoPilot in Excel
Key Takeaways
- Copilot Pro simplifies tasks for Excel novices by translating real-language instructions into actions.
- Experienced users might find some features quicker to perform manually, but Copilot Pro can still be a valuable aid in formula creation and data exploration.
- As an AI assistant, Copilot Pro is constantly learning and evolving, so expect its capabilities to expand over time.
In conclusion, Microsoft Copilot Pro is an AI assistant that enhances productivity within Microsoft Office applications, particularly in Excel. It offers features such as formatting, calculations, filtering, sorting, and chart creation. While it may not be as efficient for expert users, it can be a valuable tool for those who are less experienced in Excel.
In addition
I summarised some of my early thoughts in this twitter thread:
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