Among the numerous exciting features that Copilot is set to introduce for Excel, one significant requirement is that Excel data must be organized in tables. This is crucial because Copilot will not function unless the data is formatted in this manner.
Excel tables provide numerous advantages, including their aesthetic appeal. With just a few clicks, you can transform your dataset into a beautifully formatted table featuring banded rows, filter buttons, and more. Copilot enhances this experience, making it remarkably simple to modify your table’s appearance after creation.
Let’s practice with a small dataset that contains basic information about the five boroughs of New York City. Follow along by downloading the exercise file provided.
Ensure this file is properly configured to work with Copilot before proceeding.
The first aspect that immediately catches one’s attention regarding the dataset is the formatting of the population column. It lacks commas as thousands separators, which makes it difficult to read. To fix this, I plan to request Copilot to format the population column by incorporating commas as thousands separators, without any decimal points.
This is much easier to read. Let’s see what else we can tweak.
Given that this is New York City data, I’ll format the text using the “Broadway” font. While I wouldn’t typically recommend this font for data display, it’s OK to have a little fun with fonts while learning. Generally, a simpler, sans-serif font like Segoe UI or Roboto works best for clear, readable tables.
For now, I will undo this change for readability with Ctrl + Z.
Next, I’ll enhance the appearance of the table’s headers and footers. First, I’m adding a filter button to the dataset. Although it’s relatively small and can be easily inspected visually, it might still be beneficial to sort the data by population or land area. So, I’m planning to have Copilot incorporate the filter button into the dataset.
By default, Excel tables don’t come with totals included. However, incorporating them using Copilot is a straightforward process. Copilot can sum the columns in the dataset to create a total row. Unfortunately, at the moment, Copilot isn’t particularly effective in modifying the total row. The most reliable method continues to be the use of the dropdown menu available in each total cell.
There are a variety of formatting options you might consider, including changing colors, adding borders, and more. While Copilot excels in some areas, others may require manual intervention.
For seasoned Excel users, these tips may seem basic. You’re likely already familiar with applying formatting changes through keyboard shortcuts or menu options, which can be faster than using Copilot.
However, Copilot’s real value lies in its intuitive understanding and execution of your commands, no matter how complex. The goal is to streamline your workflow by simply typing out your requirements. Starting with formatting might appear basic, but given its importance in data analysis, it’s an excellent starting point.
Do you have any questions about formatting your data with Copilot? Or are you interested in delving into more advanced techniques? Feel free to share your thoughts or questions in the comments.
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