Microsoft gives Excel Copilot plan previews and Python powers
Microsoft has launched Plan mode in Copilot for Excel. It shows step-by-step outlines of proposed changes before applying any edits. Users can review and approve these plans to avoid surprises. Copilot in Excel now supports Python for data transformations, visualisations and complex tasks. Python functions can trigger automatically or via prompts to build charts directly in workbooks. The features begin rolling out to users in May 2026. These updates come as Microsoft 365 Copilot reaches 20 million seats amid calls for better reliability in apps like Excel.
Excel Copilot users faced hit-or-miss results on multi-step data tasks, often producing unusable outputs or errors that sent them back to manual formulas or ChatGPT. Without previews, changes felt risky, especially with company data, eroding trust in the tool over cheaper alternatives. Plan mode changes that by letting users inspect steps first, while Python adds scripting muscle without leaving Excel or needing developer skills. For the first time, Copilot matches ChatGPT's flexibility in data work but keeps everything within secure M365 boundaries, directly fixing low adoption from failed trials.
Analysis
Ditch ChatGPT for Excel data tasks – Plan mode finally delivers the control you've needed to avoid gibberish on company files. Grab your knottiest workbook today, prompt Copilot to 'plan a Python cleanup of duplicates and chart trends', approve the steps, and run it to demo a real win to your boss.
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