Microsoft Copilot update

Use Python through Edit with Copilot in Excel

When the question is bigger than a formula, Copilot can help move the analysis into Python without leaving the workbook.

What changed

Microsoft's August 25, 2026 Copilot release notes say Edit with Copilot in Excel can use Python for advanced analysis, automation, data transformation and visualizations. Microsoft lists this for Windows, Mac and web.

The useful part is that Copilot can help translate a business question into Python-backed work and place the result back in the workbook.

Try this

  1. Open an Excel workbook with a clean table and clear column names.
  2. Open Edit with Copilot.
  3. Ask for one analysis, such as trends, outliers, cleanup or a visualization.
  4. Ask Copilot to explain the method before you use the result.
  5. Check the output against a small sample of rows you understand.

Follow-up prompt

"Before adding the Python result, explain the method in plain language. Then show what columns you used, what rows were excluded, and what I should double-check."

Make it easier

Keep the first request narrow. A single chart or outlier check is easier to verify than a large automated workbook change.

Check before relying on it

Availability depends on rollout, license, platform and your organization's controls for Python and code execution in Excel. Treat generated analysis as a draft until the method and sample rows have been reviewed.

Source