Excel Unleashed

AI supercharges your favorite tool. The future of spreadsheets is here.

Presented by mohammed-brueckner.com

The AI Trinity: Agentic, Generative & Semantic

Agent Mode

Transforms Copilot from a passive assistant into an active AI agent capable of orchestrating complex, multi-step workflows.

Multi-step Task Orchestration
Native Excel Object Creation
Iterative Refinement Loop
Cross-Application Synergy

=COPILOT() Function

Embeds generative AI directly into Excel’s formula ecosystem, enabling dynamic AI-powered calculations within cells.

=COPILOT("Summarize this feedback", A2:A20)

Result: “Customers love the new interface but request additional customization options.”

Formula AI

Converts plain English descriptions into accurate, complex Excel formulas, democratizing advanced spreadsheet capabilities.

// Plain English request:
"Calculate the average sales for Q2, excluding outliers above $50,000"

// AI-generated formula:
=AVERAGEIFS(SalesData, QuarterRange, "Q2", SalesRange, "<50000")

Advanced Automation & Scripting Ecosystem

Python Integration

Excel’s Python integration brings professional data science capabilities directly into spreadsheets.

import pandas as pd
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
from sklearn.linear_model import LinearRegression

# Load Excel data into pandas DataFrame
df = xl("SalesData!A1:D100")

# Perform regression analysis
X = df[['MarketingSpend', 'ProductPrice']]
y = df['SalesRevenue']

model = LinearRegression()
model.fit(X, y)

# Predict future sales
future_predictions = model.predict([[5000, 29.99], [7500, 27.99]])

Result: Predicted sales values: [$125,430, $142,780]

Python Capabilities:

Statistical Analysis: 95%
Machine Learning: 80%
Data Visualization: 90%

Office Scripts vs. VBA

Office Scripts represent Microsoft’s modern approach to Excel automation, designed as a cross-platform alternative to VBA.

Feature	Office Scripts	VBA
Platform	Cross-Platform	Windows-only primarily
Security	Sandboxed	Full system access
Language	TypeScript/JavaScript	Visual Basic
Cloud Integration	Native	Limited

Office Scripts Example:

function main(workbook: ExcelScript.Workbook) {
  // Get the current worksheet
  let sheet = workbook.getActiveWorksheet();

  // Format sales data as a table
  let salesTable = sheet.getRange("A1:D100");
  let table = workbook.addTable(salesTable.getAddress(), true);

  // Add conditional formatting
  let salesColumn = table.getColumnByName("Sales");
  salesColumn.getRange().setFormat({
    fill: { color: "#4CAF50" },
    font: { color: "white" }
  });

  // Create a chart
  let chart = sheet.addChart(
    ExcelScript.ChartType.columnClustered,
    salesTable.getRange()
  );

  // Position and format the chart
  chart.setPosition("F2", "L15");
  chart.setTitle("Quarterly Sales Performance");
}

Function Evolution

XLOOKUP Dominance

XLOOKUP is the modern replacement for VLOOKUP/HLOOKUP that offers superior flexibility and power.

// Traditional VLOOKUP limitations
=VLOOKUP(A2, SalesData, 3, FALSE)  // Can't look left, breaks with column insertions

// XLOOKUP advantages
=XLOOKUP(A2, ProductIDs, ProductNames)  // Simple, intuitive

// Advanced XLOOKUP with multiple criteria
=XLOOKUP(1, (Region=North)*(Product="Widget"), Sales) // Multi-condition lookup

The Power of Dynamic Arrays

Dynamic Arrays allow formulas to return multiple results (an “array”) that “spill” into adjacent cells, eliminating complex legacy array formulas.

Workflow:

Single Formula: Write one =FILTER() or =UNIQUE() formula.
Spill: Excel automatically “spills” the results into adjacent empty cells.
Dynamic Update: The results update automatically as source data changes.
Efficiency: No more Ctrl+Shift+Enter or dragging formulas.

// Get all unique regions from a list
=UNIQUE(RegionList)

// Filter sales > $10,000
=FILTER(SalesTable, SalesTable[Amount] > 10000)

// Sort by sales, descending
=SORT(SalesTable, 2, -1)

For an even more interactive version, check out the sweet, animated extended version of this page.