SoftTech AI Registry
Microsoft · Microsoft 365

Copilot in Excel

Copilot in Excel works with workbook content through natural-language instructions. Microsoft documents three modes: edit mode, which changes the workbook directly; plan mode, which produces a plan the user reviews and confirms before editing; and chat mode, which answers without changing the workbook.

Recorded characteristics

Function
Copilot in Excel allows users to create and modify workbook content using natural-language instructions. Microsoft documents edit, plan and chat modes, and support for complex multi-step workbook tasks using Excel features including tables, charts, PivotTables and formulas. Python in Excel is one documented analysis tool available within the Excel environment rather than a separate Copilot capability.
Data access
The capability works with workbook content and data available within the user's Excel context. Access beyond this context was not established from the public evidence reviewed.
Actions
Can take actions
External actions
Unknown
Human confirmation
Conditional
Permission basis
Not established
Administrative control
Availability can depend on Microsoft 365 subscription and organisational settings. Additional administrative controls specific to this capability were not established from the public evidence reviewed.
Default state
Not established
Availability
Microsoft documents Copilot in Excel for supported Microsoft 365 environments on Windows, Mac, the web, iPad, iPhone and Android, with supported modes varying by platform. Access depends on eligible Microsoft 365/Copilot subscriptions and may also depend on organisational settings.
Licensing
Microsoft states that access can be provided through eligible Microsoft 365 Personal, Family or Premium subscriptions, commercial Microsoft 365 Copilot subscriptions, or eligible Microsoft 365/Office 365 business and enterprise environments.
External model or provider
Microsoft documentation states that supported users may have access to different AI models, including OpenAI and Anthropic models. The public evidence reviewed does not establish a single model provider as universally used for this capability.
Limitations and uncertainty
Public evidence reviewed for this record does not establish a universal permission basis, default enablement state or external-action capability across all deployments. Confirmation behaviour differs by mode: edit mode acts on the workbook directly, while plan mode requires the user to review and confirm the plan before editing.

Evidence