Learning Generative AI Tools for Excel

Part II. Data Science with Copilot

In Part II, you’ll learn how to use Copilot, the native Microsoft Excel AI tool, to perform the most common data science tasks. Compared to ChatGPT, seen in Part I, Copilot is directly integrated into Excel, thus you can use it directly in your worksheet without uploading the file into an external tool.

Chapter 5 introduces Copilot in Excel to create, edit, and understand your data through natural language prompts. You’ll generate new elements such as PivotTables and charts, refine your data by renaming and splitting columns, and use built-in insight features to uncover patterns, summaries, and visualizations. Along the way, you’ll see how Copilot supports your workflow step-by-step, helping you move from raw tables to clearer structure and initial data understanding.

In Chapter 6, you’ll learn how to use Copilot to prepare your data before analysis by cleaning duplicates, handling missing values, and fixing formatting issues. You’ll see how to detect and remove repeated records, choose appropriate strategies to fill or manage gaps in your data, and standardize numbers and dates so they behave correctly in formulas and reports. Along the way, you’ll practice writing effective prompts and combining Copilot’s suggestions with Excel’s built-in tools to turn messy, inconsistent datasets into reliable, analysis-ready information.

In Chapter 7, you’ll learn how to use Copilot to understand, create, and refine text formulas in Excel. You’ll see how ...