Claude brings AI into Excel workflows with new Pro features; internet reacts with jokes and debate

Anthropic’s AI assistant Claude has taken a step closer towards everyday office workflows by rolling out new Excel-related capabilities, positioning itself more directly for professionals who rely heavily on spreadsheets.

Claude steps into spreadsheet workflows

The update was unveiled through a demo video shared on X by Claude’s official account. In the post, the company announced that “Claude in Excel is now available on Pro plans. Claude now accepts multiple files via drag and drop, avoids overwriting your existing cells, and handles longer sessions with auto compaction.”

This allows users to work across datasets simultaneously, a common requirement in reporting, financial analysis, and operational reviews. The assistant is designed to respect your data by not overwriting existing cells, a great comfort for those worried about automating spreadsheet tasks for fear of losing data.

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Designed for longer analysis sessions

Another notable feature is Claude’s ability to handle extended sessions through what the company calls “auto compaction," which enables a prolonged analysis process within the system, something which would be beneficial for auditing or reconciliation exercises beyond short, simple questions or calculations.

The demo suggests that these changes are meant to make Claude more practical for sustained, real-world spreadsheet use rather than short demonstrations.

Online reactions range from humour to reflection

The announcement quickly gained traction, drawing over 5.3 million views and prompting a wide range of responses. Some users approached the update with humour. A user wrote, “All those years of refusing to learn excel is about to pay off.”

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Another commented, “What is the point of using excel now? I honestly don't think I have used a manual spreadsheet in over a year at this point.”

A user remarked, “We should probably aim to not be excel, rather than integrate with it.”

Several comments also pointed to missed timing. “Wish it came 5 years ago, would have made doing finance assignments so much easier,” wrote another.

Career-related jokes rounded out the discussion, with users poking fun at adding “CV update Skill Proficiency in Excel”, while another commented, “Successfully got away without having to learn Excel ever.”