Copilot in Excel lets you ask for formulas, summaries, formatting, and charts in plain language. The common first-time problem is that Copilot needs your data formatted as an Excel table before it can work well.
Does this affect you?
Use this for Excel for Microsoft 365 on Windows or Mac with an eligible Copilot subscription or plan.
Set up your sheet and open Copilot
Format the data as a table first.
- Select the data range, including column headers.
- Go to Insert > Table, or press Ctrl+T on Windows or Cmd+T on Mac.
- Confirm the range and make sure My table has headers is checked.
- Click inside the table.
- Open Copilot from the floating button or the ribbon if available.
- Use the pane on the right to type requests.
If you have several tables, click inside the table you want Copilot to analyze before asking.
What to ask it
Start with practical, specific prompts.
- Highlight the top five values in the Revenue column.
- Add a column that calculates profit margin from Revenue and Cost.
- Summarize the key trends in this data.
- Create a chart showing Sales by Region.
- Explain the formula you are suggesting before I apply it.
More control
Licensing affects whether it appears
Personal and Family Microsoft 365 plans may include limited AI credits, while business and enterprise environments often require a separate Microsoft 365 Copilot license. If the icon is missing, the issue is often licensing, not a hidden setting.
Copilot works with available workbook data
It analyzes the table or workbook content it can access. It does not automatically pull data from closed workbooks, websites, or external databases unless your environment is specifically connected for that.
Check large datasets
For very large sheets, verify whether Copilot used all rows or a sample. Spot-check formulas and summaries before presenting results.
Undo works normally
If Copilot applies a formula or formatting you do not want, press Ctrl+Z on Windows or Cmd+Z on Mac like any other Excel action.
Sources
- Microsoft Support – Get started with Copilot in Excel (2026)
- Microsoft – Microsoft 365 Copilot requirements (2026)
- Microsoft Support – Format an Excel table (2025)