ChatGPT Plugin vs Microsoft Copilot in Excel (2025): Detailed Comparison, Features, Pricing, and Which One You Should Use
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed how we interact with software, and Microsoft Excel is no exception. The introduction of ChatGPT plugins and Microsoft Copilot in Excel marks a new era of AI-driven productivity tools. Both are designed to automate repetitive tasks, simplify complex formulas, and make data analysis faster and more intuitive. However, they work in very different ways and serve slightly different audiences.
In this comprehensive 2025 analysis, we’ll dive deep into the differences between ChatGPT plugin and Copilot in Excel, comparing their features, strengths, limitations, pricing, and best use cases. Whether you are a corporate analyst, a small business owner, or a student mastering Excel, this guide will help you decide which AI companion fits your workflow best.
1. Overview of AI in Excel
Since its release in 1985, Excel has evolved from a basic spreadsheet tool into a full-fledged data management powerhouse. With over 800 million users worldwide, Excel remains the backbone of business reporting, accounting, and analytics.
In 2023, Microsoft launched Copilot for Microsoft 365, a revolutionary step integrating AI directly into Office applications. By 2025, it’s being rolled out globally within Excel, enabling natural language commands like:
“Summarize sales by region,” or “Find outliers in Q3 performance.”
Meanwhile, ChatGPT plugins and Advanced Data Analysis (ADA) by OpenAI have allowed users to upload spreadsheets and perform smart automation using AI prompts. Both tools reduce the time spent writing formulas or analyzing large datasets, but their integration depth and purpose differ drastically.
2. Key Concept: ChatGPT Plugin vs Microsoft Copilot in Excel
Before diving into comparison, let’s clearly define both:
| Tool | Description | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT Plugin (Excel Use) | External AI assistant that helps you generate formulas, write VBA scripts, analyze data, or explain Excel functions. You usually upload your Excel file or copy-paste data into ChatGPT. | Available via ChatGPT Plus or Enterprise with file upload (ADA mode) |
| Microsoft Copilot in Excel | Built-in AI inside Microsoft Excel that uses natural language prompts to analyze data, create charts, and automate calculations directly within the spreadsheet. | Available in Microsoft 365 Business / Enterprise plans (rolling out since 2024) |
3. Detailed Feature Comparison
Table: ChatGPT Plugin vs Copilot in Excel (2025)
| Feature | ChatGPT Plugin / External | Microsoft Copilot in Excel |
|---|---|---|
| Integration Level | External assistant (manual uploads / prompts) | Fully integrated into Excel UI |
| Formula Generation | Can generate, explain, and debug formulas | Can auto-create formulas directly from natural language |
| Data Source | Limited to uploaded or pasted data | Works directly with workbook data in real time |
| Dynamic Updates | Static results; no live sync | Dynamic updates when source data changes |
| Macros / VBA Support | Can generate VBA scripts | Currently limited support; may suggest automation |
| Natural Language Prompts | Text-based, external conversation | In-cell and in-panel AI chat within Excel |
| Security & Privacy | Depends on OpenAI policies; enterprise options safer | Follows Microsoft’s enterprise-grade security |
| Accuracy | High for general logic but may hallucinate edge cases | Context-aware but Microsoft warns about accuracy limits |
| Internet Requirement | Needs web connection to ChatGPT | Requires cloud connectivity for Copilot |
| Learning Curve | Simple prompts, flexible language | Easy for Excel users; limited flexibility outside data tasks |
| Pricing (2025) | ChatGPT Plus: ~$20/month; Enterprise varies | Microsoft 365 Copilot: around $30/month (per user, add-on) |
| Use Cases | Formula creation, learning, explaining, VBA code | Business reporting, data summarization, chart automation |
| Best for | Freelancers, students, small business users | Corporate, enterprise, data-heavy professionals |
4. Feature Deep Dive
A. Formula Generation & Understanding
- ChatGPT can generate complex formulas like:
=INDEX(MATCH(), IFERROR(), INDIRECT())with full explanations.
It’s perfect for learning or debugging formulas.
- Copilot in Excel, however, lets users skip formula writing altogether.
Example: Typing “Show top 10 customers by revenue in 2024” automatically produces the formula and filtered table.
Stat Insight:
In internal Microsoft studies (2024), users reported up to 45% faster formula creation using Copilot compared to manual entry.
B. Automation & Scripting
ChatGPT can generate Excel VBA macros for automation:
“Write a macro to color cells where sales < target.”
This makes it ideal for users who still rely on traditional Excel automation.
Copilot, on the other hand, doesn’t directly write VBA code. It focuses on data insight generation rather than structural automation.
C. Data Analysis and Visualization
Copilot can create charts and summaries instantly:
“Create a pie chart of market share from this table.”
ChatGPT, while capable of advising on chart types or generating sample VBA code, cannot directly draw visuals inside Excel. You would have to manually implement them.
Productivity Fact:
According to Microsoft’s preview metrics, data visualization tasks that used to take 10–15 minutes now complete in under 2 minutes with Copilot.
D. Learning and Education
ChatGPT outperforms Copilot as an educational assistant. It explains concepts step by step, such as:
- The difference between
VLOOKUPandINDEX-MATCH - How to use
NETWORKDAYSfor project timelines - Formula troubleshooting or performance optimization
Copilot is action-oriented, not explanatory. It performs tasks but doesn’t teach how.
E. Security and Data Governance
- ChatGPT Plugin:
Uses OpenAI’s cloud infrastructure. Paid or enterprise users can choose no data retention mode, but personal plans may store anonymized interactions for improvement.
Therefore, corporate confidentiality risk exists if sensitive Excel data is shared. - Microsoft Copilot:
Works within Microsoft’s secure data boundary, respecting Microsoft Purview, Azure AD permissions, and tenant-level access control.
Ideal for regulated industries (finance, healthcare, government).
5. Performance and Productivity Impact
A 2025 Data Productivity Report found that:
- Employees using Microsoft Copilot completed data-cleaning tasks 3.2x faster.
- ChatGPT users spent 40% less time debugging formulas and reported higher comprehension of Excel logic.
Combined Use Case Example:
A financial analyst might first use ChatGPT to design a VBA automation script and later use Copilot for daily reporting on live company data. This hybrid approach offers the best of both worlds.
6. Pricing and Accessibility (as of 2025)
| Tool | Pricing (Monthly) | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT Plus | $20 per user | Available globally |
| ChatGPT Enterprise | Custom pricing (team-based) | Available for organizations |
| Microsoft 365 Business Standard | ₹720/month or $12.50/user | Excel included |
| Microsoft 365 Copilot Add-on | $30 per user | Gradually rolling out to enterprise customers |
While ChatGPT is more affordable and flexible for individuals, Microsoft Copilot requires enterprise-level investment but integrates seamlessly for corporate productivity.
7. Advantages and Disadvantages
ChatGPT Plugin – Pros and Cons
Advantages:
- Can generate VBA, formulas, or even data models.
- Excellent for learning and experimentation.
- Works with other apps beyond Excel (Word, PowerPoint, etc.).
- More creative and adaptable to custom problems.
Disadvantages:
- Requires manual file uploads.
- No live data connection to Excel.
- Potential data privacy concerns.
- May produce formula hallucinations or incorrect syntax.
Microsoft Copilot – Pros and Cons
Advantages:
- Directly integrated into Excel interface.
- Responds to natural language instantly.
- Supports dynamic formula creation and updates.
- Enterprise-level compliance and data governance.
- Reduces repetitive manual work.
Disadvantages:
- Still in gradual rollout; not universally available.
- Expensive compared to ChatGPT.
- Limited support for custom automation like VBA.
- Microsoft warns against using it for critical financial accuracy tasks without review.
8. Which One Should You Use?
| User Type | Recommended Tool | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Students / Beginners | ChatGPT Plugin | Better for learning formulas and understanding Excel logic |
| Freelancers / Small Business | ChatGPT Plugin | Cost-effective, flexible, ideal for automation help |
| Corporate Analysts | Microsoft Copilot | Time-saving, integrates with Microsoft 365 ecosystem |
| Finance / Data Managers | Both | Copilot for real-time data, ChatGPT for macro and custom reports |
| Educators / Trainers | ChatGPT | Ideal for creating tutorials and problem-solving exercises |
9. The Future Outlook
By 2026, Microsoft plans deeper Copilot integration into Power BI and Excel online, merging Excel’s formula power with AI reasoning. ChatGPT, on the other hand, is expanding through custom GPTs and API-driven automation, allowing developers to embed AI-driven Excel functionalities into their workflows.
As AI models continue to evolve, expect a future where both tools coexist: Copilot handling in-app productivity, and ChatGPT assisting with creativity, coding, and education.
Conclusion
Both ChatGPT Plugin and Microsoft Copilot in Excel revolutionize how users interact with data, but their goals differ.
- ChatGPT is your intelligent tutor and assistant, helping you learn, experiment, and automate.
- Copilot is your smart teammate inside Excel, helping you execute and summarize faster.
For individuals, ChatGPT offers unmatched flexibility and affordability.
For enterprises, Copilot provides security, scalability, and seamless integration.
The smartest professionals in 2025 will likely use both — ChatGPT for creative problem-solving and Copilot for hands-on data execution.
Disclaimer
This article is based on currently available information and user-reported experiences from 2024–2025. Features, pricing, and capabilities may change with future updates. Always verify before applying any AI-generated output to professional or financial decisions.
