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?
Making CoPilot Work for our Organisation
We're currently exploring how Microsoft Copilot can be used to support our bid writing process, and I’d really appreciate some insights or examples from others who’ve tried anything similar or just have a good understanding of CoPilot. What We’re Trying to Do We’d like Copilot to help us write and draft bid responses by referencing information already stored across our SharePoint libraries — including past bids, case studies, and company information — and then generate new content in our tone, structure, and style. In essence, we want Copilot to act like an “internal bid writer” that knows our history and can draw on it intelligently when producing answers. What We’re Trying to Understand I’m trying to get clarity on a few key things: What does GPT-5.0 actually bring to Copilot — is it just better reasoning and writing, or does it enable deeper integration with our Microsoft 365 data? What do we need to do (technically or in terms of setup) to let Copilot “see” our environment — e.g., access our SharePoint libraries and use that content effectively? I've saw some things around Microsoft Graph being enabled. What’s the practical difference between using Copilot and using ChatGPT for this type of work? We’ve also tried getting Copilot to fill in Excel sheets using data from SharePoint, but it doesn’t seem to behave as we expected. Is this something Copilot can’t currently do, or are we just approaching it the wrong way? What We’d Love to Learn What are the best practices for helping Copilot understand and use your SharePoint content effectively? Has anyone successfully used Copilot for bids, PQQs, tenders, or document generation? Any examples or use cases you can share of how you’ve made Copilot genuinely useful in a business context would be hugely appreciated. Thanks in advance — it’d be great to hear how others are making the most of Copilot in real-world scenarios.
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.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.
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.
Part 5: Prompt Library + Slash — Building an All-in-One UX
TL;DR: Library = foundation, Slash = acceleration, 365 expansion = vision. The Problem We reuse the same prompts (summaries, draft replies, comparisons), but they get buried in chat history. Copy-paste is clumsy—especially for digital beginners. 👉As developers, we must design inclusivity + efficiency into Copilot. 1) Prompt Library in the Sidebar (for beginners, explained to developers) Save directly from chat Organize by category One-click insert Purpose: support beginners and seniors who struggle with bookmarks or copy-paste. For developers, this is the inclusivity baseline—without it, a large segment is left behind. 2) Slash Commands (for experienced users, including developers) /summary → instant draft in Word /diagram → structure in PowerPoint /reply → email text in Outlook Excel: handled via a command palette outside the cell (e.g., Ctrl+/) to avoid input conflicts. Why it matters (dev): Proven Loop “/” mechanism → technically low lift Keeps advanced users in flow High ROI: minimal engineering, massive UX payoff 3) Expand Slash Across Microsoft 365 Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel. Unified command style = unified Copilot UX. 👉 That’s what makes Copilot the true all-in-one entry point. Why It Matters Inclusivity: Library ensures no one is excluded Efficiency: Slash preserves flow for advanced users Unified UX: consistent across all 365 apps Cost-effective: small feature, outsized impact 👉 Next step for devs: prototype Library (save/insert) + basic Slash picker in Word, using the Loop “/” pattern. Dogfood, then fan-out. Stay tuned — Part 6: “Microsoft, let’s move forward together!” ✅ 第5弾：プロンプトライブラリ＋スラッシュ ― オールインワンUXへの布石 要点: ライブラリ＝基盤、スラッシュ＝推進力、365展開＝未来像。 課題 「また同じプロンプト使いたいのに、どこだっけ？」 要約、返信下書き、比較…。気づけばチャット履歴に埋もれ、コピペ探しの旅に。 特に初心者やシニアには、この“コピペ頼み”が大きな壁になります。 👉 Copilotが“入口”を名乗るなら、ここを放置するのは致命的。 解決の二本柱 ① サイドバーのプロンプトライブラリ（弱者を救う基盤） チャットから直接保存 カテゴリ整理 ワンクリック呼び出し 「ブックマーク？コピペ？」で迷う層を置き去りにしない。 開発者にとってはこれは包括性の最低ライン。 ② スラッシュ呼び出し（経験者を加速する推進力） /要約 → Wordで即ドラフト /図解 → PowerPointで構造化 /返信 → Outlookで定型文展開 Excelは「セル外コマンドパレット（例：Ctrl+/）」で衝突回避すれば十分対応可能 既にLoopで実証済みの「/」を流用できる。 👉低工数・高ROIで、経験者はフローを途切れさせずに走り続けられる。 ③ 365全体への展開（未来を形づくるビジョン） Word、PowerPoint、Outlook、Excelで共通の操作スタイル。 👉Copilotを真のオールインワン入口に。 なぜ重要か 包括性： ライブラリで誰も取り残さない 効率性： スラッシュで流れを止めない 統一感： 365全体で同じUX コスパ： 小さな実装で大きな効果 ライブラリ＝基盤、スラッシュ＝推進力、365展開＝未来像。 次回、第6弾は 「Microsoftよ、ともに行こう！」Part 2: Vertical Sidebar for Personal Copilot Navigation
In Part 1, I proposed a simple model to unify Copilot: General tasks → Copilot Pages Specialized use → Toggle Save and recall → Loop This helped simplify the fragmented Copilot landscape. In Part 2, I focus on personal daily use. When working in Word, Excel, or Outlook, many users lose track of what they have opened and where to switch. My idea: add a static vertical sidebar in Copilot Pages that lists the files or apps you are working with: Self-organized list - Word docs, Excel sheets, Outlook mails and calendar items shown vertically in one place. No confusion - Instantly switch between targets without hunting around. Clear and simple - Prevents getting lost during solo work. The key is that Copilot Pages must remain visible as the entry point during daily work — a persistent sidebar that never disappears. And importantly, the number of items displayed can be set by the user. Hidden apps remain accessible by scrolling, keeping the UI clean and flexible. Benefits Daily work feels more organized and stress-free. Matches patterns users already know (Outlook folders, Teams channels). A realistic, easy-to-implement step toward better Copilot UX. In short: "Vertical Sidebar = No more confusion for individuals." If you agree, please give it a like. Stay tuned for Part 3! 第2弾：個人作業の迷子防止 ― 縦スクロールUIの提案 第1弾では、Copilot乱立を整理するシンプルなモデル（Pages／トグル／Loop）を提案しました。 多くの方から「すっきりした」と共感をいただきました。 今回の第2弾では、個人で作業するときのUX改善に注目します。 WordやExcel、Outlookを開いているとき、「どこで何を開いたのか」迷子になる経験はありませんか？ そこで、Copilot Pagesに静的な縦スクロール型サイドバーを導入するアイデアです: 自分専用の一覧 - Word文書やExcelシート、Outlookメールや予定を右サイドに縦並びで整理。 迷子防止 - 読みたい対象にすぐ切り替え可能。 シンプル設計 - 日常業務でのストレスを軽減。 さらに重要なのは、Copilot Pagesが常に入口として存在し続けることです。 仕事中に消えず、右サイドに固定されているからこそ「迷子ゼロ」の体験が実現します。 加えて、表示数はユーザーが任意に設定可能です。 隠れているアプリもスクロールで選べるので、UIは常にすっきり保てます。 効果 日常業務がスッキリし、シンプルに整理できる。 OutlookやTeamsと同じ縦並び習慣に合う直感的なUI。 現実的かつ早期に導入できる改善案。 一言で言えば: 「縦スクロールUI＝個人作業の迷子ゼロ」 共感いただける方はぜひ「いいね」をお願いします。 次回、第3弾にご期待ください！
