Microsoft Copilot for Excel Gets Reusable Workflow Skills and Human-in-the-Loop Plan Mode

Microsoft has expanded Copilot in Excel with two significant additions for finance professionals: workflow skills and a new plan mode. Together, they address two persistent concerns about AI in spreadsheets—repeatability and oversight.

Skills allow users to define step-by-step processes and save them as reusable SKILL.md files in OneDrive. Rather than starting from scratch each time, Copilot follows the saved instructions, applying consistent structure and formatting. Example use cases from Microsoft include building a discounted cash flow model, preparing a variance analysis, or refreshing a monthly reporting model. Finance software vendors including LSEG, Ramp, and Velixo are also building their own pre-built skills for users.

The new "plan" feature gives users a checkpoint before the AI acts. Copilot drafts a step-by-step plan, invites the user to approve, edit, or ask clarifying questions, then posts a link to completed changes in the chat window—alongside the Show Changes pane used for human edits.

Third-Party Data Connections

Copilot in Excel can now pull in data directly from third-party financial platforms including Moody's, CB Insights, Morningstar, and PitchBook—without leaving the spreadsheet.

Brian Jones, VP for Excel at Microsoft, explained: "Instead of starting from scratch each time, a skill guides Copilot through the steps, applying the right structure and formatting, and helping produce an output that is easier to review, reuse, and trust."

Key Takeaways

• Reusable skills encode complex Excel workflows so Copilot follows the same analytical steps every time—no manual rebuilding required for recurring reports.
• Plan mode adds an approval layer before the AI touches data, addressing the oversight concern that has slowed enterprise adoption of AI in financial systems.
• Custom skills are available now in the Insider channel, with general availability next month; pricing starts at $21/user/month for organizations under 300 employees.

Read the full article on Computerworld