- Excel’s new COPILOT feature, or AI prompts in the cell
- GPT-5 in Azure AI Foundry. The future of AI applications and agents
- Copilot in SharePoint. New feature “Sections with AI”
- New main menu for Copilot application on Windows
- Copilot in Teams still can’t view the shared screen. Why?
- AI mode in Google’s search engine. When will it hit Poland?
Excel’s new COPILOT feature, or AI prompts in the cell
Microsoft is introducing a new COPILOT feature to Excel for Windows and Mac. This is different from Copilot in Excel. The feature is a major step forward in using large language models directly in spreadsheet cells. It makes it easier to analyze text, generate content and work efficiently. Let’s check out how it works.
Like Microsoft 365 Copilot as a side panel assistant helps Excel users with everyday tasks, COPILOT does so as an Excel function whose primary interface is the cell or formula bar. This is where we enter prompts. It’s worth noting that this new function is built into Excel’s spreadsheet engine, so every time the data in the worksheet changes, the results of this function also update automatically. There is no need to re-run scripts or refresh add-ins.
COPILOT works like other Excel functions and can be used inside formulas such as IF, SWITCH, LAMBDA or WRAPROWS, or use the results of other formulas as prompt elements. This makes it easy to use AI functions in a worksheet without having to change their configuration. How it works.
To use this function, enter the code =COPILOT(prompt_part1, [context1], [prompt_część2], [context2], …) in any cell, where “prompt_part” is the task description for the AI model, and “context” is an optional reference to a cell or range that provides the AI model with additional context. An example formula might therefore look like this: =COPILOT(“Rate this feedback”, D4:D18) – and the assistant will create a column with positive or negative ratings.
This new AI feature in Microsoft Excel will come in handy for generating ideas, creating summaries, classifying data or creating lists and tables. COPILOT uses the data available in the language model itself (LLM), which means it doesn’t directly access data from the Internet or files in your Microsoft 365 lease (which is how it differs from the Microsoft 365 Copilot tool). However, if you want the function to analyze data from your files, you must first import them into the current sheet and make them available to COPILOT as context.
The limit is currently 100 calls per 10 minutes and up to 300 calls per hour. The new COPILOT feature in Excel is now available to users of Microsoft 365 for Business in the Beta Channel with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license (version 2509, build 19212.20000 on Windows and version 16.101, build 25081334 on macOS).
GPT-5 in Azure AI Foundry. The future of AI applications and agents
On August 7, GPT-5 was released, and it immediately hit OpenAI and Microsoft platforms, including Azure AI Foundry. This allows developers to use the new model in applications right from the start. And it looks like they are reaching for it eagerly, as Sam Altman said a few days ago that API usage doubled after the release of GPT-5. And how does it look on the Azure AI Foundry platform?
Artificial intelligence has long gone beyond chat. The bar stands high: AI can generate, infer, reason and deliver measurable results securely and at any scale. Application developers don’t need to create their own LLM or SLM models, and can simply tap into what the giants are offering – the same models that drive ChatGPT and Microsoft 365 Copilot. For Azure AI Foundry, the following versions of the latest OpenAI model are available through the API:
- GPT-5 – a full inference model with deep reasoning for analysis and complex tasks such as code generation and a maximum context of 272k tokens. For comparison: GPT-4 had 8-32k tokens, and GPT-3.5 had about 4k tokens.
- GPT-5 mini – drives real-time experiences for applications and agents needing inference, such as in a customer troubleshooting tool.
- GPT-5 nano – a new class of inference model focused on ultra-low latency and high speed with rich Q&A capabilities.
- GPT-5 chat – enables natural, multi-modal (not just text-based), multi-circuit conversations with context preservation in agent environments, equipped with 128k token context.
Azure AI Foundry allows developers to use the model router in Foundry Models to maximize the capabilities of GPT-5 family models and others. This saves up to 60% inference overhead without sacrificing fidelity. The SLM-based model router evaluates each prompt and decides on the most optimal model based on the complexity, needs and cost of each task. This allows developers to create AI applications with greater ease.
Orchestration doesn’t stop at routing. Azure AI Foundry is bringing the same intelligence to agents. GPT-5 will soon be available in Foundry Agent Service, which combines best-of-breed models with built-in tools, including browser automation and Model Context Protocol (MCP) support. This makes it possible to building AI agents to search, use browser applications or perform everyday tasks. All combined with Foundry telemetry and in line with Microsoft Responsible AI principles.
Copilot in SharePoint. New feature “Sections with AI”
Artificial intelligence in Microsoft 365 will now make life easier for SharePoint users. Sections with AI is a Copilot-based, new feature for developers that allows them to create full sections on SharePoint pages using only a prompt. It first examines the context of the page and then throws up prompt suggestions, so there’s something to start with. And what’s next?
Sections with AI allow you to describe the section you want on your own, or use ready-made prompts, such as a command to create a section on resources, gathering important links and useful materials for a specific team; an FAQ section; or a section on upcoming team features and initiatives. You can also optionally click the attachment icon to add files to better anchor the AI in context.
When you click “Generate” sections with AI, it will use your resources, your organization’s knowledge and content, and the content already on the SharePoint site to create rich sections with action-ready content – not just images and text. The feature has access to the same content as Microsoft 365 Copilot, such as meeting transcripts or recent documents. Once the suggestions are generated, you can choose your favorite to add.
If the suggested sections don’t quite suit you, you can use AI to make changes to both their content and appearance. For example, you can write a prompt “change the background image,” “add information about Jan Kowalski,” or “change the text to be more professional.”
And if you want to try something completely different, click the refresh button (“Generate another suggestion”). When you get a section that suits you, click “Add to Page” to save it to your SharePoint site. Then you can edit it just like any other section.
Sections with AI will become generally available in the Microsoft 365 for Business at the end of August 2025.
New main menu for Copilot application on Windows
Microsoft has begun providing Insiders with a rather significant update to Copilot on Windows. It introduces a new main menu with quick access to recent applications, files and conversations with Copilot. That’s not all, however. Copilot+ PC owners can also start using semantic file search, in other words. search for files with AI, using their own words. Let’s take a look at these new features.
Windows Copilot with new application home screen
The Copilot app for Windows has received a new main menu. On the home screen we will now see recent applications, files and conversations, which we will get quick access to in one place. In addition, it is now easier to get help. When you click on the last application in the “get help with applications” section, a session will start Copilot Vision. You can also ask Copilot to perform an action on any of your recent documents or photos. To do this, click on the selected file in the panel on the left, and it will be sent to Copilot’s chat window. You can ask it to summarize the contents, identify objects in the photo or talk about other related topics.
And how does Copilot know what files we have used recently? The application simply refers to the standard “Recently used items” folder (C:\Users\xxx\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent). In users with this option disabled, the folder will be empty. Like other Windows applications, Copilot can display recently opened files in applications such as Word or Photos. These are files stored locally on the computer. Microsoft Copilot does not scan your entire system or download anything automatically.
In the recent files section, Copilot will only display files that are compatible with it (.png, .jpeg, .svg, .pdf, .docx, .xlsx, .csv, .json and .txt formats). If you do not attach the file yourself and upload it to the chat, giving Copilot permission to process it, nothing will be shared. You must give explicit permission to do so.
Semantic file search on Copilot+ PCs
In addition, users of Copilot+ PC can now use semantic search. This is a smarter and often faster way to search for files. All you have to do in the Copilot application is describe in natural language (in your own words) what you are looking for, and the artificial intelligence will do the searching. This is especially useful if you can’t remember the name of the file or the words in it, but are able to provide other details.
For example, you can text Copilot “find my resume” or “find my dessert recipe file” and it will start working. You can customize your consents regarding which files the AI assistant can access, what it can download and what it can read, in Copilot’s application settings.
This update has begun to be shared with Windows Insiders across all channels. The application Copilot for Windows version 1.25082.132.0 can be downloaded from the Microsoft Store.
Copilot in Teams still can’t view the shared screen. Why?
In November 2024, Microsoft announced a new Copilot feature that would allow it to preview the contents of a shared screen in a Microsoft Teams meeting. This was to enable the AI assistant to understand the broader context so that it could later make more accurate answers and recommendations.
It’s been nine months now, and Microsoft 365 Copilot still does not have this feature. Why was it decided to stop its implementation? The answer can be found in the Microsoft 365 Roadmap (ID 325873):
After further analysis, we cannot continue to implement this feature. We apologize for any inconvenience. [The description of this planned feature reads:] Copilot in Teams can now analyze the content shared on the screen during a session when the meeting is recorded. This, along with meeting transcription and meeting chat, allows users to ask Copilot to summarize or extract specific information from content from the shared screen (e.g., “which product had the highest sales?”), consolidate conclusions from the conversation and presentation (e.g., “what was the feedback for each slide”), or prepare new content based on the entire meeting (e.g., “rewrite the paragraph shared on the screen, attaching the feedback from the chat”). This works for any content shared during desktop screen sharing (including documents, slides, workbooks, sites and more, regardless of platform or application). Support for PowerPoint Live and Whiteboard in Teams will be added later -. explains Microsoft.
Although Microsoft has not given an official reason for this decision, many point to privacy issues. For business customers, granting Copilot full access to screen-sharing sessions could raise concerns, even if it were to result in better established responses. Confidential information is often inadvertently shared during meetings, and it could be risky for AI to process it, especially without adequate safeguards. A schedule of changes to Microsoft 365 gives a planned implementation date for this feature: August 2026.
Copilot in Microsoft 365 already has access to transcription of meetings and chats, but the planned feature was to expand its capabilities to include analysis of the content seen on the screen during recorded sessions. Interestingly, however, a similar feature has already been available for Windows 11 users for a couple of months.The feature in question is Copilot Vision, which, however, works only in the U.S., in the Copilot app on Windows.
AI mode in Google’s search engine. When will it hit Poland?
Google’s AI mode is an enhanced version of AI Overviews (AI Overviews), which allows you to have a dialogue with artificial intelligence, similar to the Google Gemini app. It handles more complex queries better and provides more accurate answers.
AI Mode was introduced in the U.S. in May 2025, and as of August 21 is available in more than 180 countries in English. Despite this expansion, the feature is not yet available in European Union countries, including Poland. It is possible that something is interfering with EU regulations. However, Google has announced that it will soon expand availability to more regions and languages (AI Mode only works in English for now).
Google Search’s AI mode received new experimental features last week:
- AI Agent: Gemini can act as an intelligent assistant, performing tasks for the user, such as booking a table at a restaurant based on the preferences given. The user gets suggested options, approves, modifies or rejects them, and then proceeds to finalization and eventual payment.
- Personalized responses: AI Mode remembers the user’s preferences (e.g., culinary) and will provide personalized recommendations based on them.
- Sharing conversations: It is possible to share chatbot conversations with friends and family by generating a link. Recipients can continue the conversation with all its context. Users can remove the shared link at any time.
