Write formulas with natural language using Copilot in Excel
Writing formulas can feel intimidating, especially when you’re unsure of the syntax or which function to use. We’ve already made formula writing easier with formula completion, which proactively suggests and autocompletes formulas as you type. Now, we’re introducing an additional on-grid Copilot tool that takes it a step further: With this new capability, you can simply describe what you need, and Copilot will create the formula for you. This means no more struggling to remember complex syntax, and faster and more natural interactions with your data, especially if you’re new to Excel – plus, a helpful alternative when formula completion doesn’t return the right suggestions or when you prefer typing in your own words. Together, these tools make formula writing faster, easier, and more intuitive, so you can focus on insights, not syntax. How it works In Excel for the Web, select the cell in which you want to enter a formula. Type = in the cell or the formula bar, and then click on the Ask Copilot for a formula option that appears. NOTE: You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + , to move the focus into the input box. Describe the kind of formula you want in natural language. For example: “Calculate total profit". Review the formula suggestion, the description, and the preview of the result on the grid. Then, select either Keep it if the suggestion works for you, or Discard, and then type = and run the Ask Copilot for a formula option again. Tips and tricks You can ask Copilot to modify existing formulas: In cases where you already have a formula but need to adjust it, simply describe the change you want, and Copilot will update the formula for you. For example, you can modify a return on assets calculation to include average assets for period. You can ask for formulas that require data from different sheets, such as calculating the asset turnover rate using values from separate Income Statements and Balance Sheets tabs. In cases where the formula completion doesn’t match your needs – for example, Copilot spells the month out but you want the format to be MMM – describe the exact format you need, and Copilot will generate the correct formula for you. Scenarios to try Copilot can generate formulas of varying complexity for different needs: Return a unique list of salespersons from the transactions table. Calculate the total units sold for each salesperson in the list. Calculate the total sales for each quarter - even when the sales table doesn't include the quarter, only the date. Extract the state out of the customer address. Compute profit for each transaction with a lookup function that uses data from another table. Known issues This feature currently supports one formula or one formula column or range at a time. Multiple formulas support is being considered for future updates. Availability This feature is currently rolling out to Excel for Web users with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license. Feedback We appreciate your insights regarding formula suggestions using natural language! You can share your feedback with us in the result card using the thumbs up or down buttons, or by selecting the Feedback button in the upper right-hand corner of Excel for Web, and then selecting either Give a compliment, Report a problem, or Make a suggestion.
Microsoft Copilot
Is anyone else having issues today? I was using copilot today like I have been for months. Using the same prompts I have been using for months when I started getting this response "I'd really like to help, but it seems this topic is off-limits for me. sorry about that!" I was trying to discuss with the AI what the issue was and tried showing the prompt when all of a sudden it said I was suspended for an hour. I tried to talk with support but they were no help.
I haven't seen anyone talking about this online store
There is this office and windows key store called esd codes and they sell office keys. They seem legit since they're affiliated with Microsoft and they have mostly positive reviews but I the description of every office key and I mean every has a note stating "if office (literally every single one) version is not available, you will receive the Professional Plus version at the same price" which they are trying to make it look like an upgrade but from what I searched the professional plus versions are bought in bulk by big companies and organizations and after they stop being updated they are being sold for cheap probably by employees. I have found multiple for less than 2 or even 1 buck and I feel they are scamming people.SharePoint Site Administrators Can Now Control Restricted Content Discovery
Restricted Content Discovery (RCD) is a feature that blocks access by Microsoft 365 Copilot and agents to the files stored in a SharePoint Online site. Instead of relying on tenant administrators, site administrators can now enable or disable RCD. It’s a natural evolution of what is an essential feature to keep sensitive and confidential information being leaked inadvertently by AI. https://office365itpros.com/2026/01/13/rcd-site-level/Helping users navigate the rebrand to the "Microsoft 365 Copilot" App
This app/experience was formerly known as the Microsoft 365 App or by many just as the Microsoft 365 homepage (especially in the context of the browser and URLs like Microsoft365.com). Now that it's been rebranded to the Microsoft 365 Copilot app, I'm curious to know how peers are adapting their support for end users in regards to this change. If you want users to head to this app or web location to use Copilot Chat (in one of its forms - web or work) there isn't really much issue ("Go to the Microsoft 365 Copilot app to use Copilot"). But what these other scenarios? In the browser/or desktop app "Go to the Microsoft 365 Copilot app to modify your M365 Profile "Go to the Microsoft 365 Copilot app to download the desktop Office apps" "Go to the Microsoft 365 Copilot app to access PowerPoint in the browser. In the mobile app "Go to the Microsoft 365 Copilot app to update that PPT you've been working on while you're in an Uber." "Go to the Microsoft 365 Copilot app to capture pics of whiteboards and add them to your OneDrive" All these scenarios really have nothing to do with Copilot, but you've got to use the Copilot app...a little awkward right? (p.s. trying not to incent a riot about MSFT's naming skills) What makes it downright silly is if you've suppressed Copilot all together for users for whatever reason, right? To my understanding even if you've blocked Copilot Chat in your org, this app is still called Microsoft 365 Copilot... If I've misunderstood anything about the situation, please educate me. Otherwise, I'd love some thoughts on the group on how you are or are thinking about navigating this awkwardness with users.Microsoft 365 Community Conference: A Beacon for Builders, Innovators, and Icons of Intelligent Work
You’re passionate about what you do, and we’re passionate about empowering your potential. Microsoft 365 Community Conference - is your chance to keep up with AI, build game-changing skills, and take your career (and business) even further. With over 200 sessions, workshops, keynotes, and AMAs, you’ll learn directly from the experts and product-makers who are reimagining what’s possible in the workplace. Conference Details Join us in Las Vegas April 21-23. 2026 for the premier Microsoft 365 community event. We want to help you get the most out of the tools you use every day, so we’re bringing back the conference you know and love—with even more opportunities to learn, connect, and level up. Here’s what you can expect: Meet one-on-one with the people who create Microsoft products—ask questions, share feedback, and discover real-world solutions Explore Microsoft’s latest product updates and learn about what’s on the horizon Build and sharpen skills you can use immediately to be more productive, creative, and collaborative with the Microsoft tools you use every day Grow your network, dive deep, and have fun with the best community in tech How to Register Register today and get ready to transform the way you work. Save $150 with our exclusive customer code SAVE150. https://aka.ms/M365ConfWebsite Explore Sessions and Workshops There’s plenty of breadth—and depth—to the learning opportunities at the Microsoft 365 Community Conference. No matter your role or experience level, we've got something for everyone! https://aka.ms/M365ConfSessionsWebPage Meet the Speakers Our lineup of speakers includes some of the brightest minds behind the most powerful Microsoft innovations. You’ll hear from experts like: Jeff Teper | President, Collaborative Apps and Platforms Charles Lamanna | President, Business Apps and Agents Vasu Jakkal | Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Security Business Rohan Kumar | Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Security, Purview & Trust The Microsoft 365 Community Conference is more than an event. It’s the gateway to what’s next for your career, community, team, customers, and business—and for work itself. Claim your front-row seat to the future of work today!Copilot Pages & Notebooks, Microsoft Loop: IT Admin Update – December 2025
For background, check out last year's Nov 2024 IT Admin update. Here's this year's progress and summary: Many key governance, lifecycle, and compliance features for Loop workspaces and Copilot Pages & Notebooks are now available. Learn more here Key deliverables remaining: M365 Group enforcement for shared Loop workspaces Departed User workflows for Copilot Pages, Notebooks, and the My workspace in Loop Multi-Geo Create in user's PDL for shared Loop workspaces Read the rest for details What’s Delivered (since Nov 2024) Sensitivity Labels for Loop workspaces Learn more here Guest Sharing for Loop (Entra B2B: Jul 2024 | for orgs with Sensitivity Labels: Mar 2025) Learn more here Retention Labels for Loop pages and components Learn more here Admin Management: Membership, ownership, deletion, restoration, search, filter, in SharePoint Embedded Admin Center and PowerShell for containers Learn more here Promote Members to Owners for Loop workspaces Learn more here M365 Group owned workspaces: managed by M365 Groups for workspaces created within Teams channels Learn more here Also, check out the latest from Ignite 2025 on Unlocking Productivity with Copilot Pages. What’s In Progress / Coming Soon Feature / Scenario Status Target Date Notes Enforce Microsoft 365 group-owned Loop workspaces In development Q1 CY'26 - 422725 IT policy to require Microsoft 365 groups for lifecycle management of shared Loop workspaces Multi-Geo Create In development Q4 CY'25 - 421616 All new Loop workspaces saved in creator’s PDL geo Departed User Workflow In development Q1 CY’26 - 421612 Temporary or permanent reassignment of existing user-owned containers, copy capability for data URL to Open Containers in app In development Q1 CY'26 - 421612 Application Redirect URL that opens in app when clicked if user has permissions User-Accessible Recycle Bin In development H1 CY’26 - 421615 Restore deleted Copilot Pages, Notebooks from Microsoft 365 Copilot app, restore deleted workspaces from Loop app Groups as Members (tenant-owned) In development H1 CY’26 Invite Microsoft 365 groups as members to Notebooks and workspaces Graph APIs for management In development H1 CY'26 For organizations with dev teams and in house management tools Read-only members Paused Due to lower overall feedback volumes, this work is paused Target date disclaimer: dates and features are estimates and may change. For the latest status, see the Microsoft 365 Public Roadmap links. Instead of creating and repeating content directly in the post this year, our IT Admin documentation on learn.microsoft.com and the Microsoft 365 Public Roadmap has been updated based on the above. We recognize that lack of some of these capabilities may still block your rollout. Please drop questions in the comments or reach out to us through your account team. We're excited to be enabling the rollouts of Copilot Pages, Notebooks, and Loop workspaces in your organization.
