Claude AI added to Excel streamlines formula checks and data cleaning

Anthropic's Claude, available through the Claude for Microsoft 365 add‑in, can now be launched directly inside Excel. The side‑panel integration lets users ask, in natural language, for explanations of complex formulas, identification of error causes, and automatic creation of pivot tables and charts. It also supports data‑cleaning commands such as standardising dates, normalising company names, and splitting addresses into separate columns. The add‑in is installed from the Microsoft Marketplace under the name “Claude for Excel” and works with the Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise plans. While it handles spreadsheet content, it does not support VBA, macros or Power Query. Users are warned to avoid feeding untrusted workbooks, as Claude may misinterpret malicious instructions embedded in cells or comments. The tool aims to reduce the time spent on repetitive Excel tasks by letting users interact with the AI without leaving the spreadsheet environment.