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, currentlyExcel, available onlynow on the web and soon to be released for desktop apps, introducesWindows desktop, is a new way for users to interactwork with Copilot usingin Excel. It uses natural language to build and edit workbooks. This featureworkbooks and allows users to work alongside Copilot, keepingkeep their content editable and synchronizedstay up to date with the latest changes. The early access preview is available throughAgent mode can search the Frontier programweb to pull in trusted, up-to-date information from the internet to complement your Excel Labs add-data. It helps answer questions, provide context, and enrich your analysis without leaving your workbook. Agent Mode in. Excel also supports working with Claude AI models from Anthropic to build workbooks directly in Excel.

Users maintain completestay in control over all modifications at any time. Read more about it in our announcement Vibe working: Introducing Agent Mode and Office Agent in Microsoft 365 CopilotTo learn more, read https://aka.ms/Agent_Mode. 

When this will happen:

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

  How this affects your organization:

  Who is affected:

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

  What will happen:

  • UsersFor 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, customers will see a new Agent Mode experienceoption under the Tools menu in Excel Labs:

  

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

  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.
  • Enabletenant and enable use of the Excel Labs add-in. Learn 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 To learn more, see Review and manage add-ins in the admin center. 
  • Review documentation here: Use Claude with Agent Mode in Excel

  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.