In latest weeks, Microsoft has targeted on broadening AI capabilities in Excel, modernizing this system’s interface, and rushing up your spreadsheet workflow. Listed below are 4 new options to look out for this December.
Make use of recent options in Agent Mode
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You could have a Copilot license to entry Agent Mode. Copilot licenses come as commonplace with Microsoft 365 Private, Household, or Premium subscriptions, except you downgrade your account earlier than the subsequent billing date. |
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Availability |
Agent mode is at present obtainable to members of the Microsoft Insider program utilizing English-language variations of Excel for Home windows, in addition to Excel for the web as a part of the Microsoft Frontier Program. Microsoft says, “Mac assist is deliberate for later.” |
Agent Mode in Excel is a strong assistant that leverages Copilot to create and modify your spreadsheets, serving to you execute multistep duties extra effectively. In our October update, we advised you that it was obtainable in Excel for the online via the Frontier program. Now, it is obtainable in Excel for Home windows, and there are two new options to look out for.
First, internet search in Agent Mode enables you to pull dwell info—similar to scientific figures, market traits, and historic statistics—from trusted on-line sources into your worksheet with out leaping between home windows or utilizing the unreliable copy-paste technique.
Second, whereas Agent Mode is powered by OpenAI fashions by default, you now have the choice to attempt Anthropic’s Claude, which runs utilizing various processes and provides you totally different explanations. This implies you possibly can select the most effective mannequin in line with the duty you are executing.
In the event you’re utilizing Excel as a part of a enterprise subscription, your admin should permit entry by checking “AI Suppliers For Different Massive Language Fashions” within the Admin Heart earlier than you possibly can entry Claude.
Streamline information connections with the brand new Get Information dialog
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Stipulations |
You could have a paid Microsoft 365 subscription and be utilizing the most recent Excel desktop app on Home windows to entry this new dialog. |
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Availability |
Now that the preview section with members of the Microsoft Insider program is full, the brand new Get Information dialog is usually obtainable in Excel for Home windows. It is nonetheless rolling out, so when you do not see it but, you’ll quickly. The choice to import information out of your group’s OneLake catalog isn’t included on this launch—it is at present nonetheless in testing with Microsoft Insiders. |
In our August update, we advised you concerning the modernized Get Information instrument in Excel for Home windows, which featured a brand-new interface. This new look is now obtainable to everybody utilizing Excel for Home windows.
Earlier than this rollout, you may nonetheless get data from other sources, however the course of was clunky. Based on Microsoft, this toolbar modernization “offers you a clear, easy start line for connecting to information […] with built-in search and fast entry to well-liked information sources.”
To entry it, open the “Information” tab on the ribbon, click on the “Get Information” down arrow, and click on “Get Information” once more within the drop-down menu. Then, select one of many varied methods to import information into your Excel file, or use the search bar to discover a particular supply.
After you choose a supply, you will be taken to the acquainted Power Query circulate, the place you need to use the identical steps as you at all times must import, rework, and cargo the information.
Microsoft says it plans so as to add extra modules to this new interface within the close to future, although there is no phrase on whether or not or when it will be obtainable to these utilizing Excel on working methods aside from Home windows.
Learn Extra: Microsoft
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Tagged feedback in protected information are solely seen in full within the electronic mail notification in the event that they had been made in Excel for Home windows, iOS, or the online. |
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Supplied the above conditions are met, you need to begin to see this straightaway. |
Beforehand, if somebody @talked about you in an Excel touch upon a protected workbook, the e-mail you obtained would require you to open the file and unlock it earlier than you may see its content material. Nonetheless, this replace means which you could now preview the remark instantly within the electronic mail notification, considerably rushing up your workflow.
From there, if you could take additional motion, you possibly can merely click on “Go To Remark,” and the workbook will open.
Expertise a brand new look in Excel for iOS
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Stipulations |
You have to be utilizing the iPhone, iPad, or Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional Excel app to expertise this interface improve. Additionally, your gadget have to be up to date to iOS 26. |
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Availability |
This new expertise is at present solely obtainable to Microsoft Insiders working Model 2.102 (Construct 25101016). In addition to the Excel app, this replace additionally applies to Microsoft Phrase and PowerPoint on the identical gadgets. |
Earlier this yr, Apple introduced Liquid Glass, a translucent, glass-like design, as a part of the iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26 rollouts. Microsoft has taken benefit of this new look within the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional Excel apps to create “a brand new, trendy house expertise.”
Alongside the brand new styling, the app additionally options an up to date search expertise on the backside of the display to align with iOS 26’s structure. Consequently, it is now simpler to search out issues in Excel utilizing one hand. This is the way it appears in Microsoft Phrase.
Once you faucet the “Search” magnifying glass, you possibly can filter templates utilizing helpful filters within the horizontal menu, saving you from scrolling via prolonged lists.
Learn Extra: Microsoft
Though you need to use streamlined versions of Microsoft’s productivity programs totally free on-line, to get all the most effective instruments, together with the desktop apps, Copilot, the most recent updates, and enhanced safety, you will want to enroll in a paid account.
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Home windows, macOS, iPhone, iPad, Android
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Microsoft
Microsoft 365 consists of entry to Workplace apps like Phrase, Excel, and PowerPoint on as much as 5 gadgets, 1 TB of OneDrive storage, and extra.
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