VLOOKUP in Excel with Copilot AI (No Formula Needed!)

About this video

Kevin Stratvert shows how to perform a lookup in Excel without writing a VLOOKUP formula, using Copilot in Microsoft 365. The example has a Cookie Orders table and a Cookie Prices table, and the goal is to pull prices (for example Oatmeal Raisin at $3.50 and Macadamia Nut at $5.85 in the data shown) into the orders table. Preparation steps are to convert both ranges into Excel tables with Ctrl+T, rename them from generic names to Cookie Orders and Cookie Prices via Table Design so Copilot understands the structure, and turn on Autosave by saving the file to OneDrive or SharePoint, which Copilot requires. He then opens Copilot and enters the plain-English prompt ‘Fill in all the cookie prices.’ Copilot proposes a solution using XLOOKUP — described as a newer, more flexible version of VLOOKUP — with an explanation view and a preview. Hovering over Insert Column previews the results for verification, and clicking Insert Column commits them. Because a function is inserted, changing a price in the Cookie Prices table (for example raising Oatmeal Raisin to $4 in the demo) automatically updates the Cookie Orders table.

Key takeaways

• Copilot can perform the lookup from a plain-English prompt like ‘Fill in all the cookie prices’ with no formula syntax typed by the user
• Convert both source and destination ranges to named Excel tables (Ctrl+T, then rename) to help Copilot understand the data structure
• Copilot in Excel requires Autosave with the file saved to OneDrive or SharePoint
• In the demo Copilot generates an XLOOKUP function; preview and hover over Insert Column to verify values before committing
• Because the inserted result is a live function, updating a price in the prices table automatically updates the orders table

Episode details: published April 2, 2025 · 5:32 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. Business results and any income figures mentioned are Kevin Stratvert’s own claims, shared for education — they are not typical or guaranteed.

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