Microsoft 365 Copilot and Excel Data Analysis

Overview

This interactive virtual course introduces the practical application of Microsoft 365 Copilot within Excel to support efficient, intelligent data analysis. Learners will explore how Copilot simplifies data-driven tasks, including generating formulas, cleaning datasets, analysing trends, and creating visual summaries—using plain English prompts. Delivered in a licensed, live environment, this hands-on session equips learners to automate reporting, build dashboards, and transform raw data into actionable insights. The course is ideal for professionals seeking to unlock deeper insights from data and enhance their Excel workflows with artificial intelligence.

Note: This course is for the Micorosoft 365 Copilot version.

Prerequisites

• A basic working knowledge of Microsoft Excel
• Ideally, learners will have completed the Empower Your Workflow: Fundamentals of Microsoft 365 Copilot (QA365COPBU) course

Target audience

This course is designed for:

• Professionals using Excel to manage and analyse data
• Individuals seeking to enhance their productivity using AI within Microsoft 365
• Beginners and intermediate users looking to improve data storytelling and reporting through Copilot

Objectives

By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

• Understand the role of Microsoft 365 Copilot in Excel and how it enhances traditional workflows
• Use natural language prompts to interact with Copilot and execute common data tasks
• Analyse and explore datasets using AI-generated insights and summaries
• Tidy messy data by identifying duplicates, inconsistencies, and formatting issues
• Create engaging and readable visuals using Copilot-generated charts and graphs
• Develop smart reports and narrative summaries that automate communication of insights
• Recognise and resolve common Copilot issues within the Excel environment

Outline

Asking the right questions: prompting basics

• Introduction to prompting in Copilot
• Examples of effective vs ineffective natural language prompts

Data cleansing

• Identifying and removing duplicates and empty fields
• Standardising formats and detecting inconsistencies in datasets

Fundamental data analysis

• Generating key statistics using Copilot
• Exploring trends across time, categories, and metrics
• Highlighting anomalies and outliers for deeper investigation

Visualisations

• Creating bar charts, line graphs, and pie charts through Copilot prompts
• Customising visual elements and layouts
• Using Copilot to build dashboards and automate layout configurations

Smarter reports and auto-generated narratives

• Converting charts and tables into narrative summaries
• Using Copilot to create dynamic storytelling elements for reports
• Techniques to improve clarity and insight when presenting data

Exams and assessments

There are no formal exams or assessments included in this course. Learners will engage in real-time tasks and guided demonstrations to reinforce their understanding.

Hands-on learning

This course includes:

• Practical exercises using a live, licensed Microsoft 365 environment
• Real-world data examples to support skill application
• Guided prompts and collaborative problem-solving led by an instructor