Microsoft’s new Copilot() function in Excel comes with real risks. When used incorrectly, Copilot() can produce misleading or nonsensical results that could compromise data accuracy and decision-making. Treat this AI feature with caution and Microsoft should add stronger safeguards and clearer warnings against misuse.
It all started with this post on the socials.
Please, please don’t use Copilot() this way. It’s a deeply stupid use of the Copilot() function that’s hopefully done as a bit of clickbait not a serious criticism.
We tested and it’s real but hard to understand how Copilot came up with the “15” result at all.
=COPILOT("sum the numbers above")
Add just one word in the prompt “all” gives a very different but equally inexplicable result.
=COPILOT("sum all the numbers above")
We tried some other prompts, all gave screwy results.
=COPILOT("sum the numbers in cells C1:C3")=COPILOT("sum all the numbers above this cell")
There are endless examples of Copilot() being misused as a formula maker, just one more …
=COPILOT("average of the numbers above")
Copilot() is a dangerous tool
Copilot() is a great new Excel addition, but it’s also a dangerous tool in the wrong hands. Office Watch has already demonstrated how Copilot isn’t a reliable source of facts and especially not when adding to workbooks via Copilot(), see Facts are a slippery thing with the Copilot() function in Excel
There are other AI tools that will help make or fix formulas, either inside Excel or elsewhere. See Ask Excel to Write or Fix Your Formula, Copilot and Beyond and Write Excel formulas fast with free Copilot.
Better warnings needed
Microsoft needs to consider these dangerous misuses of Excel. It’s quite likely that some people will resort to this type of AI ‘help’ to make a formula instead of using the proper functions like SUM().
Copilot needs a fix or at least a warning to cover prompts that are better handled by a regular Excel function. The standard “AI-generated” warning isn’t enough.
Discover the COPILOT Function in Excel
How to use Copilot() in Excel for analyzing text
Facts are a slippery thing with the Copilot() function in Excel
Convert Excel’s COPILOT() Output into Static Cells – Stop Auto-Updates & Preserve Values
