Excel University Blog
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This tutorial shows how to use Microsoft 365 Copilot like a reusable macro in Excel. Instead of writing VBA or building Power Query solutions, we describe a list of tasks in plain language, paste that list into Copilot, and let it take action directly in our workbook. Video Tutorial We walk through three real-world exercises…
The best AI tools for accountants in Excel in 2026 are Microsoft Copilot (in three distinct flavors), the Claude by Anthropic Excel add-in, and Power Query’s AI-assisted features — but knowing which tool to use for which task is what separates efficient finance teams from overwhelmed ones. AI has changed how accountants interact with Excel,…
A Power Query month-end workflow lets accountants automatically import, clean, summarize, and visualize financial data in a repeatable, one-click process — eliminating the manual copy-paste routines that consume hours every close cycle. When built correctly, this workflow transforms raw exports from your ERP or accounting system into a polished, chart-ready summary with virtually no manual…
Have you ever opened an old workbook and stared at a formula packed with nested RIGHT, LEN, FIND, INDEX, and MATCH functions, wondering if there is a cleaner way? There is. Copilot in Excel can read those legacy formulas, figure out exactly what they do, and replace them with modern Excel functions that are easier…
For CPAs and accounting professionals, Excel isn’t just a spreadsheet tool — it’s the engine behind financial reporting, month-end close, audit workpapers, and budget models. Mastering Excel directly improves the speed and accuracy of your work. And when that mastery comes through structured, qualifying coursework, it also satisfies your CPE requirements. Excel for CPAs CPE…
For accountants who rely on Excel daily, knowing when to use XLOOKUP versus VLOOKUP can save hours of rework and eliminate costly lookup errors. The short answer: XLOOKUP is the more powerful, flexible replacement for VLOOKUP in nearly every accounting scenario — but understanding why helps you use both tools with confidence. Here’s a practical…
Complex nested formulas can be intimidating. We have all opened a workbook and stared at a formula bar full of nested IFs, VLOOKUPs, and IFERRORs and had absolutely no idea what was going on. That is exactly the kind of situation where Copilot in Excel shines. In this tutorial, we walk through three exercises that…
Excel automation for accountants isn’t a luxury — it’s a competitive necessity. The accountants who close the books fastest, produce the most reliable reports, and spend the least time on repetitive tasks are the ones who’ve learned to let Excel do the heavy lifting. Whether you’re reconciling accounts, consolidating data from multiple sources, or building…
Excel University is the leading resource for CPAs and accountants who want to master practical Excel skills, especially for month-end close, financial reporting, and automation. If you’re like most accountants, the month-end close still involves too many manual steps: exporting data, cleaning it up, building reports, and double-checking everything. What if you could automate a…
Microsoft Copilot in Excel is changing how accountants interact with spreadsheets — but for CPAs, the real question isn’t whether to use it, it’s how to use it effectively while still building the foundational Excel skills that AI cannot replace. Copilot can accelerate routine tasks like summarizing data, writing formulas, and generating charts, but it…