MC1162083 - Microsoft 365 Copilot: Agent Mode available in Excel Labs add-in (Frontier preview)

Updated November 18, 2025: New capabilities are now available for Frontier program customers. We have updated the content below to provide additional details on how to use Agent Mode in Copilot in Excel. 

Introduction:

Agent Mode in Microsoft 365 Copilot for Excel,Excel, currently available nowonly on the web and Windows desktop, issoon to be released for desktop apps, introduces a new way for users to workinteract with Copilot in Excel. It usesusing natural language to build and edit workbooks andworkbooks. This feature allows users to keepwork alongside Copilot, keeping their content editable and stay up to datesynchronized with the latest changes. Agent mode can searchThe early access preview is available through the web to pullFrontier program in trusted, up-to-date information from the internet to complement your Excel data. It helps answer questions, provide context, and enrich your analysis without leaving your workbook. Agent Mode Labs add-in Excel also supports working with Claude AI models from Anthropic to build workbooks directly in Excel.

. Users stay inmaintain complete control over all modifications at any time. To learn more, read https://aka.ms/Agent_ModeRead more about it in our announcement Vibe working: Introducing Agent Mode and Office Agent in Microsoft 365 Copilot. 

How to accessWhen this will happen:

• We will begin rolling out Agent Mode in Copilot in Excel:Excel Labs (Frontier preview) on September 29, 2025, via the Office Store. Rollout is expected to complete the same day.

How this affects your organization: 

Who is affected:

• AvailableUsers with access to Microsoft Frontier program customers starting October 21, 2025.  the Excel Labs add-in via the Office Store.
• For EnterpriseAdmins managing Office add-ins and Microsoft 365 Copilot license customers, admins need to enable Frontier access for their organization in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.  capabilities.

What will happen:

• For Microsoft 365 Personal, Family or Premium licenses, customers can turn on Frontier Features with a new toggle under the Copilot ribbon button. 
• Once Frontier features are turned on, customersUsers will see a new Agent Mode option underexperience in Excel Labs:



• Agent Mode enables natural language interaction with Copilot to build and edit workbooks.
• Content remains editable and synced with workbook changes.
• The feature is available only through the Tools menu Frontier preview program.
• Admins must enable the Excel Labs add-in Copilot chat. 
• This version will soon include more features and support for additional languages.  users to access this capability.

What you can do to prepare:

• Ensure Frontier Features are enabled in your tenant.
• Admins must allow access to Anthropic AI models by allowing ‘AI providers for other large language models’ in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center before users can access Claude with Agent Mode in Excel.  
• Alternatively, ensure Office add-ins are enabled in your tenant and enabletenant.
• Enable use of the Excel Labs add-in. To learn more, see Review and manage add-ins in the admin center. 
• Review documentation here: Use Claude with Agent Mode in ExcelLearn more about how to review and manage add-ins in the Microsoft 365 admin center: Manage add-ins in the admin center - Microsoft 365 admin | Microsoft Learn 

Learn more: Get started with Copilot in Excel | Copilot in Excel | Microsoft Support

Compliance considerations:

No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.