Copilot Can Spot the Excel Mistakes You Miss
Massive Excel spreadsheets can get very messy very quickly, especially if several people are updating the data or if the sheet started as an export from another system.
Extra spaces and text inconsistencies can lead to inaccurate analysis and broken formulas and functions, which can take hours to clean.
The good news is that Copilot will automatically flag inconsistencies in your data and allow you to review them.
Let’s talk about how to use this Copilot feature and what it can do to help you keep your spreadsheets clean by removing inconsistencies.
How to Clean Up Your Data
Copilot makes it easy to clean your spreadsheets — just follow these three steps.
Step 1: If Copilot detects inconsistent or messy data, you’ll get a notification below the ribbon at the top of your screen.
- Why it matters: No more scouring over thousands of rows to find the extra space breaking your formula.
- Tip: If the prompt doesn’t automatically appear, you can also go to the ribbon and select Data > Data Tools > Clean Data to open it manually.
Step 2: Click “Show suggestions” to open a side panel.
- Tip: Hover over each suggestion (whether it’s extra spaces, inconsistent text or inconsistent number format) to show the affected cells.
Step 3: Choose to accept or ignore each suggestion. Don’t worry, there’s an “Undo” button if you want to revert.
- Tip: Of course, Copilot suggestions may be incorrect, so make sure you double-check the suggestion before applying.
It’s important to note that you need a Microsoft 365 Copilot license ($30/user/month) to use this feature. It’s not offered under the free Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat plan.
Use Copilot to Clean Up Your Data
Copilot is a powerful tool, but only if your organization is prepared.
Do you think your organization could benefit from a Copilot license? Contact us to schedule a consultation to see how it can reduce Excel headaches.
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