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Prepare your workbook and choose the right kind of analysis
Copilot’s data-analysis features described here are for Excel; they should not be assumed to work the same way in other Microsoft Copilot products. Start with a clear question and identify the relevant columns. For Python-based direct answers, organize the information as a table or table-like range: Microsoft says unstructured data is unsupported in that experience.
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Choose a workflow based on the task and the result you need:
| Excel workflow | Best for | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary Copilot insights | Summaries, trends, outliers, formula help, lookups, or text-feedback summaries | Ask about your workbook data; review the response and any suggested changes. Microsoft’s Copilot insights guide |
| Direct answers | A computed answer, such as comparing periods or calculating statistics by group | Uses Python-based analysis; may provide a summary, code, and static tables or charts to insert. It does not modify the workbook, and inserted results are not refreshable. Microsoft’s direct-answers guide |
| Advanced analysis | A deeper investigation that you want to refine or customize | Opens a new sheet and runs Python code that can be reviewed and modified as a refreshable Python cell. Microsoft’s direct-answers guide |
Ask Copilot a specific question
Open the Copilot pane in Excel and describe the measure, grouping or comparison, and output you want. Naming the columns helps make the request less ambiguous. Microsoft’s examples include:
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- “Which region had the highest and lowest sales?”
- “Are there any outliers or anomalies in this data?”
- “Add a column that calculates the profit margin for each product.”
- “Summarize sales by month and category.”
For formulas, Copilot can help create a formula column, provide a single-cell formula, explain a formula, or assist with lookups. It can also summarize text feedback; Microsoft says a superscript number in that analysis can be hovered over to see the source data referenced.
Request a chart, PivotTable, or sheet change
When you want to see patterns visually or group data, ask Copilot for a chart or PivotTable and specify the fields and aggregation. For example: “Create a PivotTable with the sum of sales, with month in rows and category in columns.” If the suggested PivotTable is not right, add detail to the prompt or regenerate it.
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For sorting, highlighting, or filtering, inspect the change Copilot describes and select Apply to make it in the worksheet. Microsoft’s instructions for these visual and sheet-change workflows are in Visualize your data with Copilot in Excel.
Use Python for a computed answer or deeper analysis
Get a direct answer
Ask a question about a table or table-like range when you need a computation beyond a basic summary. Examples include “Compare Q1 and Q2 sales” and “What are the mean and median of revenue by region?” The response can include a direct answer, summary, and code block; Microsoft says it may also offer static tables or charts to insert. Those inserted results are snapshots rather than refreshable workbook calculations.
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Open advanced analysis
Choose advanced analysis when you want to investigate a question in more depth and refine the method. Excel opens a new sheet and generates Python code. You can review and modify the code in a refreshable Python cell, then use follow-up prompts to refine the investigation. Leave advanced mode when you are finished.
Python in Excel runs in Microsoft’s cloud and requires an internet connection. Microsoft lists Excel for Windows, Excel for the web, and Excel for Mac as supported; Python is not available on iPad, iPhone, or Android. On unsupported platforms, Python cells display an error when recalculated. See Microsoft’s introduction to Python in Excel for platform and feature details.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Verify the result before using it
AI-generated analysis can be wrong or use an interpretation that does not match your business definitions. Microsoft advises users to review, edit, and verify Copilot’s output. For a result that matters, check the calculation and compare it with the underlying rows and the definitions used in the workbook.
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- Check whether blanks, duplicates, unusual values, or inconsistent labels affect the result.
- If Copilot provides code, inspect it; you can also ask Copilot to summarize its logic before relying on it.
- Recalculate a sample or independently compare the result with the source rows, especially for financial or operational decisions.
If Copilot or Python analysis is unavailable
Access depends on the account, organization settings, platform, and the relevant Microsoft 365 subscription or Python in Excel entitlement. Microsoft’s documentation describes qualifying subscriptions and a Python in Excel add-on with premium compute and additional calculation modes, but does not establish a complete current plan-by-plan entitlement matrix, regional rollout, or price for every Copilot workflow. Check your account and organization settings, and consult Microsoft’s current availability and licensing information before purchasing or troubleshooting access.
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