Tech Focus — October: AI in Word & Excel (Meet Agent Mode)

This month’s spotlight: Microsoft’s new Agent Mode in Word and Excel — a game-changer for writers and business communicators alike.

• With Agent Mode, you can generate documents, draft reports, and build spreadsheets using conversational prompts.
  
  

• The system also includes an Office Agent through Copilot Chat, which can build PowerPoint slides, help with drafting, and more — kind of like having an AI “co-assistant” built right into your writing tools.
  
  

Why this matters to you

• Boost productivity: Go from idea → draft → polished document faster by leveraging prompts and AI assistance directly in Word/Excel.
  
  

• Bridge formats: Business writers often need to juggle data, narrative, visuals — Agent Mode allows you to stay in one workspace.
  
  

• Stay ahead of expectations: As AI-powered features like this grow, clients and employers will increasingly expect you to be fluent with them (not just with writing and design).
  
  

• Focus your energy on the human part: Let the AI help with structure, drafts, formatting — and free you to focus on voice, strategy, and originality.
  
  

Pro Tip to Try Now

1. If you’re part of Microsoft 365’s early access or “Frontier” program, you may already have access to Agent Mode in the web apps. (Desktop support is rolling out next.)
   
   

2. Start with a simple prompt like:
   
   

   • “Draft a 2-page report summarizing Q3 sales trends with a recommendation section.”
     
     

   • Or: “Create a slide deck outline from this document + generate main talking points.”
     
     

3. Always review & adjust what the AI generates — it’s a partner, not a replacement.