Microsoft Excel Agent Mode 2026: How to Enable & Use Autonomous AI

Redmond — Microsoft has officially unlocked “Agent Mode” for Excel, transforming the spreadsheet software from a calculator into an autonomous data analyst.

What is Excel Agent Mode?

Announced at Microsoft Ignite, Agent Mode allows Copilot to perform multi-step reasoning. Unlike standard Microsoft 365 Copilot, which answers single prompts, Agents can plan, execute, and verify complex tasks—like cleaning a 10,000-row dataset or forecasting Q4 revenue—without constant supervision.

(Agent Mode Interface):

💰 Pricing & Availability

Many users are asking about cost. Here is the breakdown for 2026:

• Enterprise: Included in the $30/user/month Copilot plan.
• Personal (Pro): Available via the Copilot Pro subscription ($20/month).
• Rollout: Windows (Live Now), Mac (Rolling out), Web (Live).

🚀 How to Enable Agent Mode in Excel

Follow these steps to activate the autonomous features:

Step 1: Check Your License

Go to File > Account > Product Information. Ensure you have an active “Microsoft 365 Copilot” or “Copilot Pro” license assigned.

Step 2: Update Excel

You must be on Version 2601 (Build 18420.20000) or later. Click “Update Options” > “Update Now” if needed.

Step 3: Access the Copilot Lab

1. Open the Copilot Sidebar (Home Tab).
2. Click the “…” (Menu) icon in the top-right of the pane.
3. Toggle “Agent Mode (Preview)” to ON.
4. Note for Web Users: You may need to install the Excel One Add-in.

Step 4: Run Your First Agent

Type a complex command like: “Analyze this sales data, identify outliers, and generate a pivot table for regional trends.” Watch as the Agent creates a plan and executes it step-by-step.