{
  "id": 1474073,
  "title": "Excel's Copilot function is headed for the Recycle Bin",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/excels-copilot-function-is-headed-for-the-recycle-bin",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-08-17T10:55:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Register Software",
    "slug": "the-register-software",
    "url": "https://www.theregister.com/ai-and-ml/2026/08/17/excels-copilot-function-is-headed-for-the-recycle-bin/5288327"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Microsoft is set to discontinue its Excel Copilot() function on September 14, 2026, just a year after its preview launch. This function, introduced in August 2025, allowed users to send AI instructions directly from worksheet cells. Initially limited to Beta Channel users with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license and later expanded to Excel for the web users via the Frontier program, the Copilot() function will be phased out. Microsoft has decided not to move forward with this feature, stating in a Microsoft 365 Message Center post: \"we have decided not to move forward with this feature. We apologize for the inconvenience.\" Despite its brief existence in preview, the function provided many of the same AI capabilities as the Copilot side pane, including summarizing text, classifying data, generating content, and web retrieval. Users should review and validate Copilot's output for accuracy, especially in critical business contexts, as Microsoft has always cautioned about relying on AI services.",
  "summary": "Microsoft realizes the side pane should be enough for anyone",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "TechRadar",
        "title": "Microsoft is dropping its Excel Copilot function after only a year - and without ever getting a full public launch",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/microsoft-is-dropping-its-excel-copilot-function-after-only-a-year",
        "published": "2026-08-17T10:05:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}