# Microsoft removes the COPILOT function from Excel

> Source: <https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/excel/functions/copilot-function>
> Published: 2026-09-15 01:10:41+00:00

Important

- **Starting September 14, 2026, the COPILOT function is no longer available in Microsoft Excel.** The function was offered as a preview feature and was previously available only in the[Frontier program](https://adoption.microsoft.com/copilot/frontier-program/) and the[Microsoft 365 Insider program](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/3c7dda4f-4d05-0783-3a9a-182b50acb8a9) .
- You can continue to use Copilot in Excel through the Copilot pane, which supports many of the same AI-powered tasks, including summarizing text, classifying data, generating content, and looking up information from the web. To learn more, see [Get started with Copilot in Excel](../copilot/get-started-with-copilot-in-excel) .

The COPILOT function previously let you provide a prompt and references from the grid to generate a response from an AI language model directly in a cell. As of September 14, 2026, the function is no longer available, and this article is provided for reference.

## What happens to existing workbooks

If you have a workbook that used the COPILOT function, any results that were already calculated remain in the workbook as cached values. When a cell that contains the function recalculates, the function returns a `#NAME?` error because it's no longer recognized.

## What to use instead

Use Copilot in Excel and describe what you want in your own words. To open Copilot in Excel, select the Copilot icon in the lower-right corner of Excel. For more information, see [Get started with Copilot in Excel](../copilot/get-started-with-copilot-in-excel).

| Instead of the COPILOT function | Ask Copilot in Excel | 
|---|---|
| =COPILOT("Summarize this feedback", A2:A20) | Summarize the feedback in A2:A20 | 
| =COPILOT("Classify sentiment", B2:B100) | Classify each of the sentiment entries in B2:B100 and add the result in a new column | 
| =COPILOT("Look up upcoming holidays or major events in Seattle") | Look up upcoming holidays or major events in Seattle |