Many Excel files come from exports, shared trackers, registration lists, budget notes, survey responses, or spreadsheets that made sense six months ago but now need a little help. Even when the data is familiar, the work can take time when cleaning up inconsistent entries, adding formulas, organizing columns, summarizing patterns, or figuring out what a formula is doing.

The AI Support Team is offering a new training for faculty and staff who use Excel for everyday work such as tracking projects, reviewing budgets, managing registrations, organizing feedback, or working with data exported from another system. Getting Started with Copilot in Excel focuses on ways Microsoft 365 Copilot can help with common spreadsheet tasks, especially when a file needs cleanup, structure, formulas, or a clearer summary before it is ready to use.

The session uses a realistic Excel workbook so participants can see Copilot working in context. The examples follow a typical spreadsheet workflow: start with data that needs attention, make the data easier to work with, add formulas or summaries where needed, and review the results before using them.

Participants will see how Copilot can help clean and standardize inconsistent entries, create new columns or formulas from everyday requests, explain existing formulas in understandable terms, summarize what is already in a sheet, and identify patterns in feedback or other text-based data. These are common Excel tasks that can take time even when the spreadsheet itself is fairly familiar.

The session also covers what to check before using Copilot-assisted output. Copilot can give a useful starting point, but a formula, summary, chart, or suggested data change still needs review. This is very important when a spreadsheet includes names, dates, numbers, budgets, policy language, or any sensitive information.

This training is introductory and works best for people who already have some comfort using Excel. Participants who want to follow along in Excel should have a Microsoft 365 Copilot license. Copilot Chat alone does not include Copilot in Excel.

Getting Started with Copilot in Excel will be offered on Microsoft Teams:

• May 13, 2026, 1:00 to 1:45 p.m.
• May 20, 2026, 1:00 to 1:45 p.m.
• May 27, 2026, 2:00 to 2:45 p.m.

Register through the Learning and Development portal.

To learn more about Iowa-supported AI tools and guidance, visit the AI Tools page, the Iowa AI Hub, and the Microsoft 365 Copilot page. You can also subscribe to the AI at Iowa newsletter for future updates, events, and training opportunities.