After a brief pause at the end of last year, Microsoft is back with its monthly feature recap, sharing what changed across its productivity apps in January 2026. And this time, the spotlight is on Excel, which picked up a wide range of new capabilities across Windows, Mac, and the web. From deeper Copilot integration to long-requested automation features, various updates were introduced. And since almost every working professional uses Excel, it is worth taking a detailed look at what exactly these new features are.
Also read: Apple set to launch new MacBooks this year: All the rumours so far
One of the most important additions in January is the arrival of Agent Mode in Excel for Windows. This new mode builds on Microsoft’s broader Copilot vision by allowing users to describe what they want to achieve using natural, outcome-based prompts. Instead of manually building complex formulas or workflows, users can now ask Copilot to generate complete solutions on their behalf.
Microsoft positions Agent Mode as a way to reduce friction for advanced tasks, particularly for users who may not be comfortable working with complex spreadsheet logic. By focusing on intent rather than step-by-step instructions, Excel becomes easier to use for analysis, modelling, and reporting without sacrificing depth.
Excel for Windows also picked up two additional features aimed at improving everyday usability. The first is a new set of Import functions that allow users to extract data directly from .txt or .csv files without relying on Power Query. This offers a faster option for simple data pulls and should appeal to users who want quick access to structured files without setting up a full query.
The second change focuses on error handling. Excel now shows more descriptive error cards, helping users better understand what went wrong and why. This should make debugging formulas and workflows far less frustrating, especially in complex spreadsheets. However, both of these features are currently limited to Excel Insiders and are not yet available to all users.
Mac users also benefit from the arrival of Agent Mode, bringing them in line with Windows users when it comes to Copilot-powered workflows. The experience is designed to feel consistent across platforms, allowing Mac users to rely on natural language prompts to build advanced Excel solutions without needing deep technical expertise.
Excel on the web received a meaningful upgrade as well, particularly for users who work heavily with imported data. Power Query is now fully available in the web version, allowing users to import, transform, and edit data directly within the browser. The feature can be accessed through the Data > Get Data menu and supports pulling information from multiple authenticated sources.
While this experience will feel familiar to Power BI Desktop users and those using Excel on Windows, there is an important limitation. To access the full Power Query experience on the web, users need an enterprise or business subscription. Even so, this update brings Excel on the web much closer to feature parity with its desktop counterparts and makes it more practical for serious data work.
One feature that rolled out more broadly across Windows, Mac, and the web is a new Office Scripts capability. Users can now automate the process of saving a worksheet as a PDF and emailing it to themselves or their team. Microsoft has tagged this update as “Feedback in Action”, highlighting that it was heavily requested by Excel users.
Also read: Google accidentally leaks first look at Android PC OS online: What to expect