If you’re looking for how to use AI tools to make money, mastering their integration in Excel is a great place to start.
Microsoft Excel has evolved far beyond spreadsheets and formulas—it now includes powerful artificial intelligence (AI) features that can automate repetitive tasks, extract meaningful insights from data, and improve decision-making.
Whether you’re a student, entrepreneur, or data analyst, AI in Excel can significantly boost your productivity.
Why Use AI in Excel?
AI tools in Excel allow you to:
- Automate data cleaning and organization
- Generate predictive models
- Visualize trends without writing complex formulas
- Save time by analyzing large datasets quickly
Thanks to tools like Power Query, Excel’s Ideas feature, and the integration of Microsoft’s Copilot, you can work smarter—not harder.
Getting Started with AI in Excel
To use AI tools effectively in Excel, you’ll need the latest version of Microsoft 365. Once installed, these built-in features will be available directly in your Excel environment.
| Feature | Functionality | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Ideas | Offers automated insights and visualizations | Saves time on data analysis |
| Power Query | Cleans and transforms data from various sources | Streamlines workflow |
| Copilot (Excel AI) | Interprets commands in plain language | Reduces reliance on formulas and macros |
| Forecast Sheet | Creates future trend projections from historical data | Useful for financial and inventory planning |
Automate Tasks with Power Query
Power Query is one of Excel’s most powerful AI-enhanced tools. It lets you connect, combine, and refine data from multiple sources. Rather than manually cleaning your data, Power Query can remove duplicates, split columns, and change formats with just a few clicks.
To get started:
- Click on the Data tab
- Select Get & Transform Data
- Choose your data source
- Use the Query Editor to clean and shape the data
This streamlined process frees up your time so you can focus on data analysis rather than preparation.
Use Excel’s Ideas for Instant Insights
Excel’s Ideas feature uses AI to detect patterns in your data and provide visual suggestions like charts, pivot tables, and summaries.
To use it:
- Select a dataset in your sheet
- Click the Ideas button in the Home tab
- Review the automatically generated insights
This is especially helpful when presenting data to clients or stakeholders who prefer visuals over raw numbers.
Predict the Future with Forecast Sheets
Another impressive AI tool in Excel is the Forecast Sheet. This function helps you analyze trends and predict future data points.
Steps to create a forecast:
- Enter historical data with dates in one column and values in another
- Highlight the data
- Click Data > Forecast Sheet
- Customize your forecast and generate the chart
You can use this feature in scenarios such as projecting sales, budgeting, or inventory management.
Excel Copilot: Your Built-in AI Assistant
One of the latest advancements in Excel is Microsoft Copilot, which uses natural language to interact with your data. You can ask it to “show me trends for the last quarter” or “create a chart comparing monthly expenses,” and it will do just that.
Although still rolling out globally, Copilot will soon become a central tool for Excel users. It eliminates the need to remember formulas or create complex macros, making spreadsheet tasks accessible to non-experts.
Combining Excel AI with External AI Tools
To further enhance your workflow, consider integrating Excel with other AI tools. For instance, exporting data to ChatGPT, Anthropic’s Claude (which can now read your Gmail), or automating reports using Python can make you even more efficient.
These integrations make it easier for creators, marketers, and freelancers in Kenya and beyond to leverage Excel not just as a spreadsheet tool, but as a data powerhouse.
How AI in Excel Can Help You Make Money
Whether you’re building freelance reports, optimizing your sales funnel, or providing financial forecasts for clients, Excel’s AI tools can directly translate into income-generating activities.
For more ideas, check out our guide on how to use AI tools to make money in 2025. From monetizing reports to offering data consulting services, Excel opens the door to many business opportunities.
Additionally, AI-driven forecasting tools can improve inventory management for small businesses or help digital marketers analyze campaign performance. Using these features effectively positions you ahead of those still stuck using manual spreadsheet processes.
Final Thoughts
AI in Excel is no longer optional—it’s essential. As the demand for data skills grows, knowing how to use these tools will give you a significant edge in the workplace or as a freelancer. With innovations like Copilot and seamless integration with other tools, Excel becomes a launchpad for smarter, faster work.
If you’re interested in expanding your AI toolkit, consider reading up on artificial intelligence and data analysis to get a deeper understanding of the concepts behind these features.
By embracing these AI tools today, you’re not only enhancing your current workflow—you’re also unlocking future opportunities to thrive in the digital economy.
