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Deeper data insights with Copilot in Excel

For users looking to take their data analysis to the next level, Excel’s Copilot offers advanced tools for structured reasoning, forecasting, and deep dives using Python. Whether you’re planning scenarios, validating complex formulas, or uncovering hidden patterns, Copilot makes high-level analysis more accessible than ever.

In this guide, we’ll explore powerful features like “Think Deeper” and Python integration and look at how they support confident, data-driven decision-making.

Data analysis, forecasting, and scenario planning:

Making informed business decisions relies on understanding patterns in data and projecting future trends. Copilot can do this process by summarising key insights, forecasting performance based on historical figures, and modelling multiple scenarios to guide smarter planning.

How to get started:

• Define your analytical goals and determine the insights you need, whether trend identification, financial projections, or scenario comparisons.

• Ask Copilot to analyse your dataset, highlighting important metrics and uncovering hidden patterns that could influence decision-making.

• Use Copilot for forecasting by leveraging historical data such as monthly sales, industry trends, or performance benchmarks to predict future outcomes.

• Model alternative scenarios and compare revenue projections, adjust financial variables, and simulate potential operational changes to optimise business strategy.

• Refine insights dynamically by adjusting assumptions and exploring risk factors, ensuring data-driven projections remain adaptable to external influences.

Example prompts:

• “Summarise sales performance by month and project future trends.”

• “Forecast next quarter’s revenue based on historical data and external market shifts.”

• “Evaluate risk factors and suggest a contingency plan for unexpected expenses.”

Automate data validation and complex formulas

Maintaining accurate data and managing complex calculations can be time-consuming and prone to errors. Copilot can automate data validation and formula generation, allowing users to quickly identify inconsistencies, streamline workflows, and ensure precise calculations.

How to get started:

• Scan for missing values, formatting errors, and duplicate entries to improve data integrity.

• Request a report highlighting inconsistencies for further review before making corrections.

• Provide Copilot with a clear calculation goal, such as revenue projections or performance comparisons, and let it generate the formula.

• Optimise formulas by refining expressions, ensuring efficiency and improved accuracy.

• Apply formula-based automation, such as conditional calculations or dynamic cell references, to reduce manual input.

Example prompts:

• “Find and remove duplicate entries in this table.”

• “Detect inconsistencies in revenue and suggest corrections.”

• “Calculate the percentage difference between two columns.”

Work smarter with pivot tables

Pivot tables are one of the most powerful tools in Excel, allowing users to summarise, filter, and analyse large datasets efficiently. However, they can be intimidating for beginners. Copilot helps users generate well-organised pivot tables based on their dataset and analysis goals, ensuring they get the most valuable insights without manual trial and error.

How to get started:

• Ensure your dataset is structured with labelled columns and clean data to generate accurate summaries.

• Ask Copilot to build a pivot table that highlights key metrics, such as total revenue, category comparisons, or trend insights.

• Refine the layout based on your needs and adjust filters, reorder categories, or format data for improved clarity.

• Apply additional calculations within the pivot table, such as averages, sums, or percentages, to get deeper insights.

Example prompts:

• “Create a pivot table showing total sales per region.”

• “Summarise expenses by department in a pivot table.”

• “Generate a pivot table ranking products by profit margin.”

Unlock advanced insights with Python in Excel

Copilot in Excel now integrates with Python, allowing users to perform deeper data analysis without requiring extensive coding expertise and enables powerful data processing with minimal effort.

What is Python?

Python is a popular, beginner-friendly programming language known for its simplicity and readability. It’s widely used in data science, machine learning, automation, and web development. In Excel, Python empowers users to manipulate data, build models, and perform advanced calculations without needing to be a programmer.

How to get started:

Using Copilot with Python is simple and enhances your ability to work with large datasets efficiently. Follow these steps to begin:

• Open Excel for Windows or the web and load your dataset.

• Navigate to the Home tab, then select Copilot.

• Choose the Advanced Analysis card from the task panel (or search for prompts like “Run advanced analysis using Python.”).

• Click Start, and Copilot will generate the Python code needed to perform the requested analysis in a new sheet.

• Ask follow-up questions, refine your findings, or explore suggested prompts for deeper insights.

Take your analysis further with “Think Deeper”

Starting in April 2025, Copilot in Excel introduces the Think Deeper feature, enabling more structured reasoning and comprehensive analysis. Activate it directly from the prompt box to tackle more sophisticated data challenges.

Turn data into decisions that matter

Advanced analysis doesn’t need to be complicated, and Copilot proves it. With powerful features like Python integration and “Think Deeper,” Excel becomes more than a spreadsheet tool: it becomes a space for smart strategy, confident forecasting, and adaptable planning. Whether you’re a data analyst or a decision-maker, Copilot helps you unlock what’s possible and act on what’s meaningful.

Want help putting these tools into practice across your team or business?
Let’s talk about how Copilot can support your goals.