Anthropic has significantly enhanced the accessibility and capabilities of its Claude artificial intelligence models within Microsoft Excel, rolling out a dedicated add-in to Pro plan subscribers as of January 24, 2026. This move follows an initial research preview in October 2025 and a beta phase that included Max, Team, and Enterprise users.
The “Claude in Excel” add-in, powered by the advanced Claude Opus 4.5 model, integrates Anthropic’s AI directly into spreadsheet workflows. While one source mentioned Sonnet 4.5, other sources specifically cite Claude Opus 4.5 as the driving model for the integration. This integration is designed to streamline complex data analysis for professionals, particularly in fields like finance and operations.
Key functionalities of Claude in Excel include the ability to query complex multi-tab workbooks and receive explanations with cell-level citations, allowing users to verify logic. Users can also update assumptions without disrupting existing formulas, debug common errors such as #REF! or #VALUE! messages, and build new models from scratch or by leveraging uploaded files like 10-K reports.
Further enhancing spreadsheet productivity, Claude can generate pivot tables, charts, perform variance analysis, assist with data cleaning, and identify trends. The add-in maintains a log of changes, supports drag-and-drop for multiple files, and includes safeguards to prevent overwriting existing cells. Anthropic noted that Claude now “accepts multiple files via drag and drop, avoids overwriting your existing cells, and handles longer sessions with auto compaction.”
Beyond the dedicated add-in, Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4.5 is also an option within Microsoft’s broader “Agent Mode” in Excel. This Agent Mode, which enables users to delegate complex, multi-step tasks, was launched for Excel for the web in September 2025 and rolled out to Excel for Windows in January 2026. This feature allows users to select between OpenAI’s GPT-5.2 and Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4.5, catering to diverse problem-solving needs. Users can access the Claude in Excel add-in by pressing Ctrl+Option+C on Mac or Ctrl+Alt+C on Windows.
Microsoft Excel also offers its own suite of built-in AI capabilities, including Microsoft 365 Copilot, Flash Fill, Data Types, Analyze Data, Power Query, and Forecast Sheet, which collectively aim to automate tasks and provide insights. The integration of Claude further expands the advanced AI tools available to Excel users, aiming to accelerate spreadsheet work through intelligent assistance.