People data lookups
Hi, I have created an MS Form where anyone can nominate their peers for recognition - we have 20k employees. I've added a field in the form for a unique employee number for the nominator to include. So they would submit the nominee's: emp number, full name, role, area of the business. The output comes to me in excel and I need to update a list of 00's of employees, where they work, their contact details, line manager detail etc. The challenge is this: whilst I can do all the look-ups to the external data to provide this, the output of the form could have numerous errors. First of all, a missing emp number or incorrect emp no. Second of all, incorrect name spelling, or shortened names, or duplicate names, or too many spaces etc. Then there's incorrect role or missing role, and finally the same for area of the business. Using either multiple IFs or look-ups or Power Query, what's the best solution to pull through the correct emp number (from my external data), when those first four fields could be all wrong, partly wrong, missing or all correct, and what about dealing with duplicate names? I can concatenate if the four fields are correct, but this isn't reliable. Is there a fuzzy match that takes the best guess at the four fields completed - leaving me to just check a handful of #N/As? I have Copilot and licence too. Thanks!Agent Mode continuously loading
Hi all, I installed Excel Labs today and have tried to use https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2025/09/29/vibe-working-introducing-agent-mode-and-office-agent-in-microsoft-365-copilot/ for Excel in the web. However, no matter which prompt I use, it just loads continuously, even when left for hours. Has anyone got this working? Or know how to resolve this? I appreciate it's a Preview feature, so happy to wait if it's a temporary glitch, but thought it'd be worth checking.Data Reconciliation Assistance Needed – Time Range & Sum Matching
I have two sets of data that need to be reconciled. Specifically, I’m trying to identify which combinations of numbers from these datasets can sum up to a specific target value. Additionally, the reconciliation should only consider entries that fall within a defined time range—from approximately 8:00 AM on one day to 10:00 PM the following day. I’ve tried using Solver and Goal Seek, but the results don’t seem accurate. I also attempted using Microsoft Copilot, but the outcome still appears incorrect. Could you assist with identifying or generating the correct combinations based on the criteria above?
Explain Formulas with Copilot—Now on the Grid
Understanding complex formulas in Excel just got a lot easier. The new Explain Formula feature turns Copilot into your inline assistant, delivering clear, step-by-step breakdowns directly on the grid, right next to your data, no need to switch context or open the chat pane. What makes this especially powerful is that the explanations are contextual, grounded in your actual data and workbook, not generic descriptions. By bringing the explanation to where you’re working, Copilot helps you stay in flow. It’s a seamless, in-the-moment experience that makes it easy to scan, understand, and act on formulas right where you need it most. How It Works Here’s how to get an explanation in just a few clicks: Select a cell with a valid formula A Copilot icon appears next to the cell Click “Explain this formula” from the dropdown Copilot shows a step-by-step explanation directly on the grid Need to dive deeper? Click “Chat with Copilot” to continue the conversation in the side pane Note: If the Copilot chat pane is already open, the explanation will be displayed there instead of on the grid. What It Does: Contextual Formula Explanations When you select a formula cell, Copilot can now explain what that formula does using a dedicated card shown in the grid. Helping you quickly understand what the formula does based on your actual data and context, not just a generic description. This makes it easy to: ✅ Understand the formula’s goal in your workbook ✅ Learn how it works, function by function ✅ Build confidence without ever leaving your sheet For example, given this formula: =I4 * XLOOKUP(H4, $L$4:$L$7, $M$4:$M$7) With just a click, Copilot will explain that: Because the explanation is tailored to your actual data and scenario, it’s faster to grasp, easier to verify, and more relevant to your work. Copilot provides the clarity you need right where you need it. Copilot Can Explain Any Excel formula No matter how simple or complex, Copilot can explain any Excel formula. Whether you're working with math, logic, references, arrays, or text manipulation, Copilot helps you understand what’s going on and why. Availability This feature is gradually rolling out to Excel for Windows and Excel for the web. Feedback We’d love to hear how this new experience is working for you. Let us know: ✔️ Was the explanation clear and easy to understand? ✔️ Was it easy to access the explanation when you needed it? ✔️ Did the overall experience feel intuitive and helpful? Just click the 👍 or 👎 at the bottom of the Copilot response to share your thoughts. Your feedback helps us refine the experience and prioritize what’s next.
Excel at 40: Days of Innovation, Insight, and Impact
Lookup Logic and Formula Mastery (Days 12–13) Day 12: INDEX + MATCH INDEX-MATCH offers precision and control that VLOOKUP can’t match. It allows searching in any direction, handling dynamic ranges, and building smarter formulas. Takeaway: INDEX-MATCH remains a favorite for its flexibility. Day 13: IF Statements The IF function is Excel’s gateway to decision-making — from flagging errors to categorizing data and building nested logic. Takeaway: IF unlocks conditional logic, the foundation of intelligent spreadsheets. Formatting and Data Integrity (Days 14–16) Day 14: Conditional Formatting Highlight trends, flag errors, and guide decisions — all without formulas. Takeaway: Color isn’t decoration; it’s direction. Day 15: Named Ranges Named ranges make formulas readable, reusable, and scalable. Takeaway: A named cell is a documented cell. Day 16: Data Validation Prevent errors before they happen. Data validation ensures consistency and control. Takeaway: Validation is your first line of defense. Advanced Functions and Developer Thinking (Days 17–18) Day 17: LET and LAMBDA Reusable logic, cleaner formulas, and modular thinking. Takeaway: Write once, reuse everywhere. Day 18: Excel as Code Excel can be structured, recursive, and debuggable. Treat it like code. Takeaway: Excel is a logic engine, not just a grid. Visualization and Dashboards (Days 19–20, 24–25) Day 19: Charting Excel’s Visual History From bar charts to dynamic visuals, Excel’s charting tools have evolved to tell better stories. Day 20: Sparklines Tiny visuals with huge impact — sparklines bring context to rows and columns. Day 24: Dashboard Design Tips Whitespace, hierarchy, and purpose-driven visuals matter. Day 25: Data Storytelling Turn numbers into narratives. Takeaway: Good visuals don’t just show; they persuade. Automation and Integration (Days 21–23) Day 21: Power Query Transform messy data into structured insights with just a few clicks. Day 22: Power Pivot Build relationships, create measures, and model data like a pro. Day 23: No-Code Automation Workflows that connect Excel to the Power Platform. AI, Python, and the Future of Excel (Days 26–32) Day 26: Copilot and Python in Excel Ask questions, run code, and automate analysis. Day 27: Excel in Schools and Turing Power Excel teaches logic, empowers students, and builds future thinkers. Day 28: Driven Impact Excel powers AI models and NGO dashboards — smarter sheets, bigger change. Day 29: Excel and GitHub Trigger reports from commits. Excel meets DevOps. Takeaway: Excel is part of your automation stack. Day 30: Excel Humor REF errors. Merged cell chaos. We have all laughed and cried. Day 31: Quick Excel Tips CTRL + SHIFT + L CTRL + E ALT + = Day 32: Excel and AI Predictions From reactive to predictive with natural language, smart forecasts, and proactive insights. Takeaway: Excel is not just reactive; it is predictive. Global Impact and Community (Days 33–36) Day 33: Global Impact and MVP Stories From classrooms to boardrooms, Excel empowers a global community. Takeaway: Excel is powered by people — educators, creators, and problem-solvers. Day 34: Excel in NGOs Supporting development, transparency, and impact measurement. Day 35: Excel in Enterprises Scaling models, compliance, and business-critical decisions. Day 36: Excel in Everyday Life From personal budgets to side hustles, Excel powers daily problem-solving. Final Thoughts Excel is more than a spreadsheet — it is a platform for logic, design, automation, and storytelling. As we celebrate 40 years of innovation, I am grateful for the Excel MVPs, product teams, and the global community of users who keep building smarter with Excel. What is your favorite Excel feature or moment? Share your thoughts and let’s celebrate the journey together.
