Microsoft Introduces AI‑Powered Agent Mode for Word and Excel
Key Points
- Microsoft adds AI‑driven Agent Mode to Word and Excel, powered by 365 Copilot.
- Agent Mode helps users draft documents, create budgets, and build financial analyses.
- Office Agent in Copilot chat can generate PowerPoint decks from simple prompts.
- The feature follows a “vibe coding” approach, emphasizing natural‑language interaction.
- Available now via the Frontier program for Copilot customers and Personal/Family subscribers.
- Excel web version includes Agent Mode; desktop versions are forthcoming.
- Word web version includes Agent Mode; desktop version is pending.
- Users start by installing the Excel Labs add‑in and selecting Agent Mode.
Microsoft has rolled out an AI feature called Agent Mode for Word and Excel, powered by Microsoft 365 Copilot. The tool helps users create professional documents and spreadsheets by handling drafting, formula creation, and refinements, even for those with limited experience. An Office Agent in Copilot chat also assists in building PowerPoint decks from simple prompts. Agent Mode is available through the Frontier program for Microsoft 365 Copilot customers and Personal or Family subscribers, currently on the web with desktop versions coming soon.
What Is Agent Mode?
Microsoft has added an artificial‑intelligence feature called Agent Mode to its classic Office programs Word and Excel. Powered by Microsoft 365 Copilot, Agent Mode is designed to help anyone create high‑quality, professional‑grade documents and spreadsheets, even if they have little experience with the applications.
How It Works in Excel
In Excel, users can tell Agent Mode to set up a household budget by naming categories such as rent, groceries, utilities, gas and entertainment. The AI then creates the appropriate formulas, flags over‑ or under‑budget items, and can even build a financial analysis for a business. The feature handles the heavy lifting of drafting content, suggesting refinements and asking clarifying questions while the user iteratively steers the outcome.
How It Works in Word
In Word, Agent Mode can draft or polish a wide range of documents. Examples from the source include revising a resume, composing a holiday letter, or writing a progress report or executive summary for a business. The AI drafts content, offers refinements and seeks clarification, allowing the user to shape the final document.
Office Agent in Copilot Chat for PowerPoint
Microsoft also introduced an Office Agent that lives inside Copilot chat. Users can start a PowerPoint project with a prompt such as “Create a 10‑slide PowerPoint deck of the most popular tech products in the US.” The Agent then works with the user to clarify visual theme, target audience, refine the presentation and determine the level of research required.
Vibe Coding and Human‑Agent Collaboration
The rollout reflects a broader trend that Microsoft calls “vibe coding,” where developers create software with natural‑language prompts instead of writing lines of code by hand. Sumit Chauhan, corporate vice president of Microsoft’s Office product group, said, “Get started with a simple prompt and then work iteratively with Copilot -- steering it as it orchestrates multi‑step tasks to deliver high‑quality Office documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.” He added that this approach represents “the new pattern of work for human‑agent collaboration.”
Availability and Getting Started
Agent Mode for Excel and Word is currently available through the Frontier program for Microsoft 365 Copilot licensed customers and for Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscribers. It is available in Excel on the web today, with a desktop version coming soon. To try the feature, users install the Excel Labs add‑in and select Agent Mode. Word supports Agent Mode on the web, with a desktop version also on the way. Office Agent in Copilot chat is available in the Frontier program for U.S. users of Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscriptions, operating on the web in English.