Documents and spreadsheets
Ask questions of your files and get formulas explained.
Most chatbots can read files you attach (PDF, Word, Excel, CSV). That turns hours of reading and formula-hunting into minutes.
Documents
Attach a file and ask specific questions:
- "List every deadline in this contract with the clause number."
- "What does this policy say about refunds? Quote it."
- "Turn this 10-page proposal into a one-page brief."
Ask for clause numbers or quotes so you can verify.
Spreadsheets
You don't need to know formulas. Describe what you want:
In Excel, I have dates in column A and sales in column B. Give me a formula that totals sales for March only, and explain it in one sentence.
Or attach the file (remove sensitive data first) and ask: "Which product had the biggest drop month to month?"
Built into your apps
If your workplace uses Microsoft 365, Microsoft Copilot works inside Word and Excel. Google Workspace has Gemini in Docs and Sheets. These keep files inside your company's setup, which is often what IT prefers.
Check the numbers
AI can misread tables or make arithmetic mistakes. For anything you'll report:
- Ask it to show the calculation.
- Spot-check two or three numbers yourself.
- Prefer a formula in the sheet over a number typed by the AI: the formula recalculates when data changes.
Key takeaways
- Attach files and ask specific questions, with quotes or clause numbers.
- Describe the result you want and ask for the formula plus a one-line explanation.
- Show the calculation and spot-check numbers before reporting them.
Try it now
Describe a calculation you do by hand in a spreadsheet. Ask a chatbot for the formula and a one-sentence explanation, then try it in your sheet.
Open Microsoft CopilotFree · paid from $9.99/moYou've got it when: The formula gives the same result as your manual calculation on at least two rows.