Do you hate reading instructions?

Frustrated when teammates ask questions they could easily find the answer to?

Well, then Copilot in OneDrive might be just what you need.

Also in Between the Sheets today:

• Python Editor in Excel for user-friendly coding
• Excel compatibility (using the latest functions in shared workbooks)
• Practice creating interactive dashboards using pivot tables

🎬 Copilot in OneDrive

Recently, I shared a video about the potential of Copilot in Excel. One cool feature was the ability to summarize data.

What if I told you that you don't even need to open the file to get a summary of its contents?

In the new video, I introduce you to Copilot inside OneDrive.

​

With Copilot, you can easily:

• Summarize a file without even opening it.
• Turn a boring manual into an FAQ your team will (hopefully) use.
• Compare contracts and proposals in seconds to spot the differences.

All within the OneDrive app, without opening any document.

Watch the video to see what's possible, how it's done, and which file types are currently supported.

(BTW, if you're concerned your data is being used to train the AI model, please note that Microsoft firmly denies it. Considering the potential cost to their reputation, we're inclined to believe them.)

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🤓 Geeky News

🐍 Python Editor in Excel

​Python in Excel is a huge game-changer. But the Excel formula bar wasn't designed for writing code.

Then came the experimental Python Editor in the Excel Labs add-in, offering more space and productivity features.

And now, the Editor is rolling out to all Python in Excel users.

It comes with Intellisense, syntax highlighting, function help, and preview of code execution in order.

It supports Excel cell references and handles code on multiple sheets.

This enhances the Python in Excel experience, giving users more control and flexibility.

⌛ The answer to Excel compatibility dilemmas

Microsoft 365 keeps improving. This includes improvements to the behavior of some functions.

For example, the latest enhancement rolling out to Excel Insiders, changes how certain text functions handle Unicode characters (diacritics, emojis).

But this can lead to inconsistent calculations and even bugs when the file is shared with users on different versions of Excel.

To address that, Microsoft introduced Compatibility Versions in Excel:

• Version 1: Maintains the original function behavior.
• Version 2: Includes the new improvements.

Existing workbooks default to Version 1 to preserve current calculations. New workbooks will also start with Version 1 but will switch to Version 2 after a transition period (some time in 2025).

Users can manually change a workbook's Compatibility Version by going to Formulas > Calculation Options > Compatibility Version.

🔣 Regular Expressions in Excel

Speaking of new Excel functions - the REGEX functions are now generally available in Microsoft 365 (Windows & Mac).

They let you define patterns to extract or replace text in strings.

Those patterns aren't the most user-friendly to write. In the video, I show you how easy it becomes with the help of AI.

Be patient if you don't see them immediately; the rollout is gradual.

Finally, in Excel-related news...

Is this you?

The position of the decrease/increase decimal buttons in the Excel menu is not intuitive.

Well, if you use Excel Online, you'll be happy to know they finally switched it around.

Now, in Excel for the web you decrease on the left and increase on the right. Intuitively, as it should be.

But if you use both the Online and Desktop app... even more confusion for you. Why so inconsistent, Microsoft?

No word when the change is coming to the Excel Desktop menu (if at all). But hopefully soon 🤞

📈 NEW Dashboard Practice Pack

Think you know Pivot Tables? It's time to test your knowledge and create something practical.

With our new Dashboard Practice Package you’ll take on three fun challenges. Each one uses a different dataset. You’ll add pivot tables, charts, solve problems, and build dashboards that are both dynamic and look great!

It’s the kind of practice that makes everything click.

👉 Learn more here.

👏 Power Stories

Bravo, Marija! Congratulations on your transformation into an Excel powerhouse!

I'm happy our Excel Essentials for the Real World had a part in that. But the work was all yours.

Happy Excelling!

Got a success story about using your XelPlus skills? I’d love to hear it! Hit reply to share the details, and inspire other students 😇

See you next week,

Leila

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