Excel Agent Mode Is Finally Available on Desktop
Excel Agent Mode is officially rolling out to Windows and Mac, bringing Microsoft’s most advanced AI-powered spreadsheet assistant to desktop users. Previously limited to Excel for the web, this new capability transforms Copilot from a conversational helper into an active agent that works directly inside your workbook.
The update marks a major shift in how users create, manage, and fix spreadsheets, especially complex ones that usually require multiple steps and deep Excel knowledge.
What Makes Excel Agent Mode Different?
Unlike the traditional Copilot sidebar, which focuses on suggestions and explanations, Excel Agent Mode operates directly within the spreadsheet grid. It behaves more like a digital coworker than a chatbot.
Instead of guiding you step by step, Agent Mode focuses on outcomes. You describe what you want to achieve, and the agent handles the structure, formulas, formatting, and visuals automatically.
For example, you can ask it to build a financial tracker or dashboard, and it will:
- Create tables and formulas
- Populate logic across multiple sheets
- Generate charts and visualizations
- Format the workbook for clarity
All of this happens in real time as you watch the agent work.
Autonomous Spreadsheet Creation and Repair
One of the most powerful aspects of Excel Agent Mode is its ability to handle both creation and maintenance tasks. It can work with messy spreadsheets that include missing headers, inconsistent formatting, or broken formulas.
The agent can also:
- Detect circular references and broken links
- Suggest fixes for formula errors
- Clean up irregular data layouts
- Improve existing workbooks without starting over
This makes it especially useful for large or legacy spreadsheets that are difficult to maintain manually.
Choose the Right AI Model for the Job
Microsoft has added a model selector to Agent Mode, allowing users to switch between different large language models depending on the task.
Users can choose between:
- A model optimized for structured, math-heavy tasks
- A model better suited for reasoning, explanations, and planning
If one model struggles with a task, switching models can often resolve the issue without rewriting your prompt.
Real-Time Data with Web-Grounded Search
Excel Agent Mode can also pull in real-time information from the web. This allows it to fetch live data such as exchange rates, inflation figures, or market statistics and insert them directly into your spreadsheet.
This feature makes Excel far more dynamic, especially for financial, analytical, or reporting workflows that rely on up-to-date information.
How to Get Started with Excel Agent Mode
Getting started is straightforward:
- Open Excel on Windows, Mac, or the web
- Click Copilot
- Select Agent Mode from the tools menu
- Enter a clear prompt describing your end goal
The agent then takes over and builds the solution directly in your workbook.
Availability and Requirements
Excel Agent Mode is available to users with:
- A Microsoft 365 Copilot commercial license
- A Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscription
Due to regulatory and data privacy restrictions, the feature is currently unavailable in certain regions, including the EU and UK.
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Excel Agent Mode represents a major evolution in how people interact with spreadsheets. By turning Copilot into an autonomous agent that builds, fixes, and maintains workbooks, Microsoft is redefining productivity in Excel. For users who regularly work with complex data, Agent Mode could be the assistant that finally makes intimidating spreadsheets manageable.
