Data in Copilot + Excel
Are you only using Copilot for basic summaries? In this 90-minute hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how and where Copilot can help you bridge the gap between static data and actionable business insights.
Book this courseCourse Overview
1.5 hour course
Certificate of Attendance
Private
Master the art of AI-driven data analysis with this expert-led, practical workshop. You’ll learn how to transform raw data into analysis, insight and action using Copilot and Microsoft Excel.
This session is designed for business professionals who want to move beyond using Copilot as a simple chatbot and start treating it as a more capable data partner. You’ll explore how to connect ideas across multiple files, interrogate datasets and create visual reports more quickly and confidently.
Following our “listen, see, do” approach, you’ll move beyond basic prompts into more structured techniques, including meta-prompting, where Copilot helps create its own analysis plans.
You’ll also explore common misconceptions around using Copilot in Excel, including how it differs from using Copilot across other Microsoft Office applications.
Rather than focusing on hype, this course concentrates on practical, sensible outputs. You’ll learn how to format visualizations for stakeholders, understand the current limitations of AI-generated visuals, and leave with a clear workflow for turning messy datasets into shareable, formatted insights.
Our Data in Copilot + Excel workshop is available as a private training session that can be delivered virtually or at a location of your choice in the US.
What you'll learn
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
Develop step-by-step analysis plans using Copilot to extract meaningful insights from raw data
Critically evaluate AI outputs to determine what a 'sensible' data return looks like for your business context
Recognize the limitations of AI-generated visualizations (such as static imagery) and know exactly when to transition your workflow into Microsoft Excel
Synthesize insights and visualizations into compelling, shareable reports tailored for different audiences
Apply 'meta-prompting' strategies to have Copilot write the exact, high-performance prompts you need for complex data tasks
Create and format visualizations (bar charts, line graphs, pie charts, scatter graphs) directly within the Copilot app
Cross-reference multiple file types (PDFs, slide decks, and data sheets) simultaneously using Copilot in Microsoft 365
Confidently select the most appropriate Copilot environment (the App vs. Excel) based on your data's volume, veracity, and the specific insights you need
Course agenda
Intelligent Discovery in Microsoft 365
- Querying multiple files and formats (PDFs, Slides, and Data Sheets) simultaneously
- Cross-referencing disparate data sources to uncover hidden connections
- Creating infographics directly in Microsoft 365
- Creative analysis: Mixing abstract concepts with hard data
Strategic Analysis & Meta-prompting
- Collaborating with Copilot to generate a step-by-step data analysis plan
- Using 'meta-prompting' to write highly effective data extraction prompts
- Defining and benchmarking what 'sensible' outputs should look like before you begin analysis
Data Visualization in the Copilot App
- Generating clear visualisations: bar charts, line graphs, pie charts, and scatter graphs
- Precisely formatting your outputs
- Understanding the boundaries: The limitations of static AI visualizations
Advanced Workflows in Microsoft Excel
- Contrasting data exploration in Microsoft Excel versus the main Copilot app
- Navigating the common misconceptions when using Copilot in Microsoft Excel: understanding why visualisations don't always update automatically when data changes
- Unlocking new possibilities by typing the =Copilot() function directly into your spreadsheet cells
- Leveraging the full, native formatting functionality of Excel alongside AI insights
Reporting & Tool Selection
- Translating raw insights and graphs into stakeholder-ready reports
- The Decision Framework: Choosing the right area of Copilot based on your data's type, volume, and veracity
- Interactive 'Show and Tell': Applying the workflow to sample datasets to solve real-world problems
Who it's for
This course is for marketing professionals, social media managers, creative teams, content creators, designers, sales and business development teams, small business owners – and anyone curious about creating high-quality visuals with AI. No prior design experience is required.
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Enquire for a team or large group
For private sessions call our sales team