Copilot in Excel: Game-Changer or Gimmick? My Real Take

Key insights

• Copilot in Excel is an AI-powered assistant within Microsoft Excel that helps users analyze and manipulate data, suggest formulas, and highlight key trends in charts and PivotTables. It is available through Microsoft 365 on Windows, Mac, iPad, and the web.


• The main advantages of using Copilot include simplified data analysis, increased efficiency for repetitive tasks like chart creation, and a user-friendly conversational interface for entering prompts and getting tailored suggestions.


• To get started with Copilot, users should open a workbook stored on OneDrive or SharePoint, access the Copilot chat pane from the ribbon or by clicking the Copilot icon next to a cell, and then input prompts to generate insights or automate data operations.


• Copilot excels at basic tasks such as text analysis, simple data cleaning, and supporting Python in Excel. It performs moderately well with intermediate data cleaning and multi-step processes but struggles with non-table data, large dashboards, or multiple worksheets.


• The core focus of Copilot in Excel remains on helping users efficiently analyze and manage their data. While new features are being added across Microsoft's ecosystem—like GitHub Copilot for developers—the essential tools in Excel continue to support productivity for everyday users.


• Recent updates, highlighted during events like Microsoft Build 2025, show ongoing improvements to the broader Copilot suite. These developments mainly enhance adoption resources and integration capabilities but keep the primary function of assisting with data tasks at the center of Copilot’s role in Excel.

Introduction: Evaluating Copilot in Excel

Microsoft Copilot in Excel has attracted significant attention in the productivity and AI space. In his recent you_tube_video, Kenji Farré (Kenji Explains) [MVP] shares an honest assessment of his experiences using Copilot not only in Excel but also in other Microsoft applications. He breaks down the strengths, average capabilities, and notable weaknesses of Copilot, while also discussing its evolving role across the Microsoft 365 suite. With AI tools becoming more common in workplace software, understanding their real-world impact is crucial for both casual users and professionals.

This article offers an overview of Kenji’s key findings, highlighting where Copilot excels, where it falls short, and what users should consider when integrating it into their workflow. As AI continues to shape modern productivity tools, such balanced reviews help users make informed decisions about leveraging these technologies effectively.

Strengths: Where Copilot Shines in Excel

According to Kenji, one of Copilot’s standout features in Excel is its ability to simplify data analysis. By leveraging AI, Copilot can suggest relevant formulas, highlight important trends in charts, and make sense of complex data sets in PivotTables. This functionality is particularly useful for users who need quick insights without deep technical knowledge.

Additionally, Copilot streamlines repetitive tasks such as creating charts or running basic data cleaning routines. Users can interact with Copilot through a conversational interface, which allows for intuitive prompts and tailored suggestions. This ease of use makes it accessible even to those who might not be familiar with advanced Excel features, providing a clear advantage in terms of efficiency and productivity.

Middle Ground: Tasks Where Copilot Is Average

Despite its strengths, Kenji points out that Copilot’s performance is more modest when it comes to intermediate data cleaning and handling multi-step operations. For example, creating a dropdown menu or following up with additional questions after an initial prompt may not always yield seamless results. The AI sometimes requires more guidance or manual intervention in these cases, which can slow down workflows.

Moreover, Copilot can handle some data analysis using Python within Excel, but the integration is not always flawless. Users may find that more complex or customized data manipulation tasks still require traditional methods or manual adjustments. This highlights a tradeoff between automation and control—while Copilot can boost productivity for straightforward tasks, it may not fully replace expert-level handling for more intricate projects.

Limitations: Recognizing Copilot’s Weaknesses

Kenji’s review also emphasizes several areas where Copilot in Excel currently struggles. Notably, the tool has difficulty working with non-table data or managing large, generic tasks such as building dashboards from scratch. When dealing with multiple worksheets or highly customized analyses, Copilot’s capabilities are limited and often require users to intervene or revert to manual processes.

These challenges reflect the broader limitations of AI-powered assistants in specialized or complex scenarios. Users must balance the convenience of automation with the need for accuracy and customization, especially when working on projects that demand a high degree of control or creativity.

Beyond Excel: Copilot in Other Microsoft Applications

Interestingly, Kenji notes that Copilot demonstrates greater utility in other Microsoft applications, such as PowerPoint and Word. In these environments, Copilot can assist with drafting content, formatting presentations, and generating summaries, making it a versatile tool for a range of office tasks. This cross-application support showcases Microsoft’s commitment to integrating AI throughout the 365 suite, potentially broadening Copilot’s appeal beyond just data analysts.

The ongoing enhancements to Copilot, including new training resources and development tools revealed at Microsoft Build 2025, suggest that Microsoft is investing heavily in AI-driven productivity. While some features cater more to developers, the core focus remains on empowering end-users to work smarter and faster across platforms.

Conclusion: Balancing Innovation and Practicality

Kenji Farré’s candid review of Copilot in Excel provides valuable insights for potential users. While the tool excels at simplifying routine data analysis and offers a user-friendly interface, it faces challenges with more complex or non-standard tasks. As with any emerging technology, there are tradeoffs between automation and the need for manual oversight.

Ultimately, Copilot represents a meaningful step forward in integrating AI into everyday productivity tools. However, users should remain aware of its limitations and be prepared to supplement its capabilities with their own expertise when necessary. As Microsoft continues to refine Copilot and expand its features, it will be interesting to see how the balance between convenience and control evolves in the coming years.

Keywords

Copilot in Excel review Excel Copilot features using Copilot in Excel Excel AI assistant benefits Excel productivity with Copilot Microsoft Copilot tutorial Excel automation with AI