Microsoft AI Copilot and Excel champion tips drive new spreadsheet practices

Diarmuid Early, the 2025 Excel World Champion, advises professionals to replace long manual formulas with functions such as SUMIFS, warning that hand‑entered calculations are time‑consuming and prone to errors. Early, who previously worked at BCG and Deutsche Bank and now runs his own consultancy, stresses the importance of reviewing results critically to avoid hidden mistakes.

On 25 June 2026 Microsoft launched "Skills for Copilot" in Excel, enabling users to create reusable, AI‑driven workflows for data handling. The rollout opens a new automation layer for freelancers who specialize in advanced Excel tasks, potentially raising their rates. A recent UK court decision in London demonstrated how AI‑assisted legal services can help freelancers recover unpaid invoices, marking the first such use of AI‑generated court documents in the United Kingdom.

Together, the expert guidance and the new AI capabilities signal a shift toward more efficient, automated spreadsheet work and a growing market for specialized Excel freelancers.