Which AI do you recommend for data analysis and Excel?

If your data lives in Excel, choose an assistant built into Excel: Microsoft Copilot in Excel or Claude for Excel. For a one-off analysis of a CSV file, a chat assistant with file upload, such as ChatGPT, is enough. The main advantage of a built-in assistant is that it keeps your formulas and sheets in place.

• Microsoft Copilot in Excel: Agent Mode is generally available on Excel for the web, Windows and Mac for Microsoft 365 Copilot business users and for Microsoft 365 Personal, Family and Premium. Personal and Family use AI credits. At launch, Microsoft said Agent Mode was not available in the EU and UK or on mobile.
• Claude for Excel: generally available on Claude Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise plans, and runs in Excel on the web, Windows (Microsoft 365) and Mac.
• ChatGPT: can analyse uploaded XLSX, XLS, CSV and TSV files. OpenAI's file upload FAQ lists limits per file, and the free plan has lower upload limits.
• Gemini in Google Sheets: the option if you work in Sheets rather than Excel. It is included in Google AI Pro and Ultra (not Google AI Plus) and in Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus and Enterprise.

Whichever tool you use, check the formulas and totals it produces before you rely on them. Do not upload confidential data to a service your company has not approved.