Copilot not able to edit Excel document

Question

Runa Lofts 15

Hi

Copilot stopped working in Excel documents. It now only gives me instructions on how to execute formulas, formatting etc.

It used to have "add column" or "add formula"...

Documents are saved in OneDrive for Business and/or SharePoint
- Also tried in browser
I have M365 Business Premium License
Microsoft 365 Copilot License
Office 365 is updated

Any ideas ?

thanX - Rúna

Helena Clinkscales 0 Reputation points

2025-11-12T17:08:50.8966667+00:00

I have the same issue. I was definitely once able to ask Copilot to directly amend the spreadsheet, now it either gives me instructions or creates a link to a new spreadsheet with the amendments which isn't ideal (I don't want a new spreadsheet for every amendment I make). I also have M365 Business license and M365 Copilot license and I've gone through all my settings and ensured everything is as it should be and updated. This is the same whether I am in the desktop app or the browser. Something has changed.
Rajendra Damle 0 Reputation points

2026-05-06T20:56:42.3833333+00:00

In May 2026, I see the same limitation as mentioned by Helena Clinkscales and Runa Lofts above.
The embedded Copilot in Excel is unable to modify or add anything to the file that is opened and is editable and has Autosave turned ON.

I then tried uploading the excel file to M365 Copilot desktop app and asked for a worksheet to be added to that file. It went through the process but failed in what seemed like the last step "Generate and create Excel workbook". The error message at the bottom was - "Something went wrong. Please try again in a moment or start a new chat."

Your answer

Helena Clinkscales 0 Reputation points

2025-11-12T17:08:50.8966667+00:00

I have the same issue. I was definitely once able to ask Copilot to directly amend the spreadsheet, now it either gives me instructions or creates a link to a new spreadsheet with the amendments which isn't ideal (I don't want a new spreadsheet for every amendment I make). I also have M365 Business license and M365 Copilot license and I've gone through all my settings and ensured everything is as it should be and updated. This is the same whether I am in the desktop app or the browser. Something has changed.
Rajendra Damle 0 Reputation points

2026-05-06T20:56:42.3833333+00:00

In May 2026, I see the same limitation as mentioned by Helena Clinkscales and Runa Lofts above.
The embedded Copilot in Excel is unable to modify or add anything to the file that is opened and is editable and has Autosave turned ON.

I then tried uploading the excel file to M365 Copilot desktop app and asked for a worksheet to be added to that file. It went through the process but failed in what seemed like the last step "Generate and create Excel workbook". The error message at the bottom was - "Something went wrong. Please try again in a moment or start a new chat."