Applies To
Excel for Microsoft 365 Excel for Microsoft 365 for Mac Excel for iPad Excel Web App Microsoft Office

Copilot makes it easier than ever to perform precise calculations based on your data by generating single-cell formulas. Whether you need to calculate the percentage increase between two cells or extract specific text, Copilot streamlines the process so you don’t need to enter calculations for each cell.

Note: This feature is being gradually rolled out to all customers and may not be available to you yet. Check back for updates as it will be available to everyone soon.

Generate a single-cell formula

  1. Open Excel.

  2. Check that your workbook's sensitivity level isn't set to Confidential or Highly Confidential.

  3. Add some data to your sheet. For best results, format your data in a table or supported range to make sure that it works for Copilot.

  4. From the Home tab, select the Copilot small image of the Copilot icon.​​​​​​​ icon in the ribbon.

  5. In the Copilot pane, prompt "Suggest a formula" or "Show suggestions for formulas".

  6. You can copy and paste an example prompt or type something in your own words.

  7. Copilot will suggest formulas and explain how each one works.

  8. To see the explanation, select Show explanation.

  9. When you're ready, select Insert formula to add the formula to your cell.

Note: As with any AI-generated content, it's important to review, edit, and verify anything Copilot creates for you.

Generate a formula with prompts like:

Icon depicting a document with sparkles Calculate the percentage increase from cell A1 to cell B1.

Icon depicting a document with sparkles Extract the first name from a full name in cell C1.

Icon depicting a document with sparkles Calculate the difference between the values in cell D1 and E1.

More ways to work with data using Copilot in Excel

Generate formula rows or columns with Copilot in Excel

Get insights from numerical data with Copilot in Excel

Get insights from text-based data with Copilot in Excel