398989 – Microsoft Copilot (Microsoft 365): Copilot in Excel support for formula data summaries in rows and cells

Product:

Copilot, Microsoft 365 Apps

Platform:

Mac, Web, Windows Desktop, World tenant

Status:

Launched

Change type:

Links:

Details:

Add a single formula to summarize column data into one cell. Today, full column calculations produce a unique result in each row, but this new feature gives you the option to calculate all data in a column together to return one result. You can also create a row with formulas that apply for relevant columns; for example, an "add total sales row" will add a SUM formula underneath every column that has sales data.

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability

Created:
2024-06-06

updated:
2025-02-24

Docu to Check

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MS workload name

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Direct effects for Operations**

- Impact on IT Operations
- Increased demand for training and support resources
- IT administrators may need to develop new training materials and sessions to help users understand the new formula capabilities in Excel.
- Reference: [Microsoft 365 Training](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/training)
- Potential for increased support tickets related to the new feature
- Users may encounter issues or confusion with the new formula functionalities, leading to a spike in helpdesk requests.
- Roles impacted: IT Support Staff, Helpdesk Technicians

- Impact on IT Services
- Dependency on Microsoft 365 service stability
- The new feature relies on the overall performance and uptime of Microsoft 365 services, which could affect users if there are outages or performance issues.
- Reference: [Microsoft 365 Service Health](https://status.office365.com/)
- Integration with existing workflows and applications
- Organizations may need to assess how the new Excel features integrate with other applications and workflows, such as reporting tools or data analysis software.
- Roles impacted: IT Operations Managers, Application Administrators

- Impact on IT Users
- Changes in user experience and productivity
- Users may experience a learning curve as they adapt to the new formula functionalities, potentially impacting their productivity initially.
- Reference: [Microsoft Excel Features](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/excel)
- Risk of data misinterpretation or errors
- Users may inadvertently misuse the new summarization feature, leading to incorrect data analysis or reporting.
- Roles impacted: Business Analysts, Data Analysts, End Users

Opportunities**

- Enhanced Data Analysis Capabilities
- Opportunity: Leverage the new Copilot feature in Excel to streamline data analysis processes across departments. By summarizing column data into a single cell, teams can quickly derive insights without complex formulas.
- Roles that might profit: Data Analysts, Financial Analysts, Marketing Teams
- Reference: [Microsoft 365 Copilot](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2023/03/16/introducing-microsoft-365-copilot/)

- Improved Reporting Efficiency
- Opportunity: Utilize the new formula capabilities to automate the generation of summary reports. This can reduce the time spent on manual calculations and improve accuracy in reporting.
- Roles that might profit: Project Managers, Executives, Sales Teams
- Reference: [Microsoft Excel Features](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/excel)

- Training and Adoption of New Features
- Opportunity: Implement a training program to educate staff on the new Copilot features in Excel. This can enhance user experience and ensure that employees are maximizing the potential of the new tools available to them.
- Roles that might profit: IT Trainers, HR Development Teams, All Employees
- Reference: [Microsoft Learning](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/)

Potentional Risks**

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