Copilot in Excel Now Supports Referencing Word, PowerPoint, and Additional File Types

Microsoft has recently revealed an exciting enhancement to its Microsoft 365 Insider blog: Copilot in Excel is now capable of referencing a variety of document formats, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF files.

Enhanced Functionality with Copilot

This innovative feature allows users to seamlessly integrate data from different sources, streamlining their workflow. For instance, you can prompt Copilot to generate a to-do list in tabular form or systematically organize your emails with designated columns for sender information and subject lines. It’s particularly useful for merging data from public statistics, internal documents, organizational details, or data tables from other Excel files.

How to Utilize Copilot’s New Features

To take advantage of this new functionality, users must meet specific requirements: If you’re on Windows, you need Build 17729.20000 or later, while Mac users require Build 24053110 or later. Additionally, a Copilot license is necessary, along with web search capabilities and a stable internet connection. The process to engage with Copilot is straightforward:

Navigate to the Home tab in Excel and select Copilot.

Pose a question about the particular data you wish to retrieve.

Engage with follow-up inquiries until the results meet your expectations.

Upcoming Updates and Limitations

Microsoft announced that this update for Copilot in Excel will soon be available for web users as well. However, there are certain limitations to keep in mind, such as the fact that refreshable data imports only function with Excel files that include tables stored on SharePoint or OneDrive. Additionally, simultaneous handling of workbook and external data may be limited.

Recent Developments in Copilot

Copilot has undergone notable updates in recent months. A prime example is the introduction of the Clean Data feature, designed to rectify common issues like inconsistencies between text and numeric values.

The enhancements to Copilot began last March when Microsoft incorporated voice functionality, permitting users to interact with Copilot through speech rather than typed input. In November, significant advancements were made by embedding Copilot into the Excel start experience, allowing users to articulate their project requirements and receive tailored improvement suggestions.

Source & Images