Microsoft Launches Agent, Word and Excel Mode Can Write and Calculate With AI
Introduction to Agent Mode in Word and Excel
Microsoft recently launched a new feature that expands the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) in its work applications. In the latest innovation, Microsoft introduced Agent Mode in Word and Excel, as well as Office Agent in Copilot Chat. Both of these features are designed to make it easier for users to create documents, reports, and presentations with only simple instructions in everyday language.
Agent Mode aims to make users able to create quality documents without the need to tinker with manual formats. According to Sumit Chauhan, Corporate Vice President Office Product Group Microsoft, the latest reasoning model in Copilot opens up new productivity agents. The user simply gives a simple prompt, and Copilot will set the steps to produce quality documents.
The concept of “Vibe Working” and AI Collaboration
Microsoft refers to this innovation as part of the concept of “Vibe Working”, which is a new work pattern in which humans and AI work together. With deeper integration, the Copilot is positioned like a primary co-worker, not just a tool.
Agent Mode in Excel
Excel is known as a versatile tool for data calculation, ranging from household budgets to company financial reports. However, so far, many advanced features or formulas for Excel can only be maximized by advanced users.
This is where Agent Mode is present. AI allows even ordinary users to get maximum results such as “Understand Excel Language”. Agent Mode can be used for data analysis or calculating financial reports. For example, making an automatic monthly growth graph, calculating a loan simulation, or tidying up a large table with short instructions.
Here are some examples of Agent Mode commands in Excel that you can try:
Financial Analysis Commands:
Make a monthly financial closing report for the bicycle shop business, including product line details in VTB, VTF, sequential, and annual growth. Use standard financial formats and best practices.Loan calculator orders:
Create a loan calculator that calculates monthly payments based on user input for loan amount, annual interest rate, and term of year. Create a schedule that shows the month, payment, principal, interest, and remaining balance. Present the results in a clear and formatted table.Personal budgeting orders:
Create monthly household budget trackers with categories such as rental, groceries, utilities, entertainment, transportation, and savings. Apply conditional format and data bar for % more/less budget. Add a summary section that shows planned expenses versus actual spending with a donut diagram to visualize the distribution of expenses.
The Agent Mode feature demo in Excel can be watched via the following video.
Agent Mode in Word
While in Word, Agent Mode presents the experience of “Vibe Writing” aka interactive writing. Copilot not only makes a draft, but also gives advice, asks things that are not clear, as well as tidy up the format with the default Word style.
With Agent Mode, Chauhan said, the writing process feels lighter because AI continues to advise to keep the workflow smooth.
Here are some Agent Mode commands in Word that you can try:
Monthly Report Update Order:
Help me update this monthly report for September. Update the data table with the latest numbers from the data withdrawal email/September. Summarize important points, including insights compared to last month’s monthly/August report.doc.Project update command:
Update the executive summary to make it clearer, bold all key findings, and enter the list of points next step based on the update/project meeting. Be sure to add conclusions.Document style command:
Can you tidy up this document? Use capital letters for section titles, brand updates as per ‘/recent brand guidelines’, and italics all external partners mentions. Feel free to ask questions if you need help in identifying partners or guidelines.
The Demo of the Agent Mode feature in Word can be watched via the video below.
Office Agent in Copilot Chat
In addition to Agent Mode, Microsoft also introduced Office Agent in Copilot Chat. This feature is powered by an anthropic AI model, and focuses on helping users create PowerPoint presentations or Word documents from scratch. This is a basic difference with Agent Mode in the application (Word/Excel) which can be used to help tidy up and update existing documents.
Users can write prompts as needed, for example:
* “Create 8 Slides Presentations on the Coffee Industry Trends and Influence Advertising Influences”.
* “Compile a 5-page report on Digital Marketing Strategy for MSMEs”.
Chauhan detailed, after writing a prompt, the Office Agent will clarify the needs of users. Then continue to do web research, then display a preview of the results of the presentation or document. From there, users can directly correct via chat, or proceed to PowerPoint/Word for improvements.
How the Office Agent works in Copilot Chat can be watched via video below.
feature availability
Agent Mode in Excel and Word are available today for frontier users of the Microsoft 365 Copilot program, both personal and family customers. This feature will be coming soon in PowerPoint.
Meanwhile, the new Office Agent is available in the United States and will be expanded to more areas in the near future.
