Microsoft Excel keeps getting better every month, and December 2025 brings some exciting updates that will change how you work with spreadsheets.
Whether you’re a student, professional, or someone who uses Excel daily, these new Excel features will save you time and make your work easier.
In this article, we’ll explore five amazing updates that rolled out this month, including powerful AI tools, better data import options, and improved mobile experiences. Let’s jump right in and see what Microsoft has prepared for us.
1. Agent Mode in Excel with Web Search Capabilities
One of the biggest Excel updates this December is the expansion of Agent Mode. This feature was previously available only in Excel for the web, but now Windows users can access it too. Agent Mode is like having a smart assistant built right into your spreadsheet software.
What Does Agent Mode Do?
Agent Mode uses Copilot to help you create and modify spreadsheets, making it easier to handle tasks that require multiple steps. Think of it as your personal Excel helper that understands what you want to accomplish.
The New Web Search Feature
The most exciting part of this update is the web search capability. With web search in Agent Mode, you can pull live information like scientific figures, market trends, and historical statistics from trusted online sources directly into your worksheet. You don’t need to switch between browser tabs anymore.
How this helps you:
- Get real-time stock prices and financial data
- Import research statistics for school projects
- Add current market information for business reports
- Pull scientific data without leaving Excel
This feature makes Excel automation much more powerful. Instead of manually copying and pasting data from websites, you can ask Agent Mode to find and insert the information for you.
How to Access Agent Mode
To use this feature, you’ll need a Microsoft 365 subscription. Look for Agent Mode in the Tools menu when you open Copilot in Excel. The interface is simple and designed for everyone, not just tech experts.
2. Modernized Get Data Tool with Better Interface
Microsoft has completely redesigned the Get Data tool in Excel for Windows. If you’ve ever struggled with importing information from different sources, you’ll love this update.
What Changed?
The modernized Get Data tool features a brand-new interface that gives you a clean, simple starting point for connecting to data, with built-in search and quick access to popular data sources. The old version was clunky and hard to navigate, especially for beginners.
Why This Matters for Excel Functions
Data import is essential for anyone working with external information. The new interface makes it super easy to:
- Connect to databases
- Import files from different locations
- Use Power Query more efficiently
- Search for specific data sources quickly
Step-by-step guide to using it:
- Open the Data tab on the ribbon
- Click the Get Data down arrow
- Select Get Data again from the dropdown menu
- Choose your data source or use the search bar
- Follow the Power Query flow to import your data
The modernization doesn’t change how Power Query works behind the scenes. You still get the same powerful data analysis capabilities, just with a much better user experience.
Also Read: How to Use Excel TREND Function: Updated Guide (2024)
3. New Excel Mobile Experience on Apple Devices
If you use Excel on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Vision Pro, you’re getting a major upgrade this month. Microsoft has redesigned the mobile app with a modern look that matches Apple’s latest design language.
The Liquid Glass Design
Excel’s Apple apps now feature a new modern home experience with a translucent glass-like design. This isn’t just about looks—the new design makes the app easier to use with one hand.
Improved Search Experience
The app features an updated search experience at the bottom of the screen to align with iOS 26’s layout, making it easier to find things in Excel using one hand. This is perfect for when you’re on the go.
New mobile features include:
- Horizontal filters for templates
- Easier one-handed navigation
- Better visual organization
- Faster template discovery
For students and professionals who work on mobile devices, these Excel productivity improvements mean you can get more done without a laptop.
4. Comment Preview in Protected Workbooks
This might sound like a small change, but it’s a huge time-saver if you collaborate with others on Excel files.
The Old Problem
Previously, when someone mentioned you in a comment on a protected workbook, you had to open the entire file and unlock it just to see what they said. This wasted time and created unnecessary frustration.
The New Solution
You can now preview comments directly in the email notification without opening the file, which significantly speeds up your workflow. The email shows you the comment content right away, and if you need to respond, you can click “Go To Comment” to open the workbook.
Benefits for team collaboration:
- Faster response times
- Less interruption to your workflow
- Better communication between team members
- More efficient project management
This update is especially useful for business analytics teams and students working on group projects who use protected workbooks to prevent accidental changes.
5. Focus Cell Feature for Better Navigation
Working with large spreadsheets can be confusing. You scroll through hundreds of rows and lose track of where you are. The Focus Cell feature solves this problem completely.
How Focus Cell Works
The focus cell highlights the active row and column so you always know exactly where you’re working. It’s like having a spotlight that follows you around the spreadsheet.
Key benefits:
- Never lose your place in large datasets
- Reduce data entry mistakes
- Work faster with complex tables
- Less eye strain during long work sessions
Activating Focus Cell
You can turn on this feature by going to View > Focus Cell or using the keyboard shortcut Alt + W + E + F. You can even customize the highlight color to match your preferences.
The Focus Cell also works with the Find tool. When you search for something in your spreadsheet, it automatically highlights the cell containing your search term. This makes Excel formulas and data validation much easier to manage.
Additional Helpful Updates Worth Mentioning
While the five features above are the main highlights, December 2025 also brought some smaller improvements:
- REGEX functions for advanced text manipulation
- Checkboxes that are better for task management
- GROUPBY and PIVOTBY functions for easier data summarization
- Python integration for advanced users who want programming capabilities
- Improved accessibility features for users with disabilities
These additions show that Microsoft is committed to making Excel more powerful while keeping it accessible for everyone.
Who Should Use These New Features?
These updates aren’t just for experts. Here’s who will benefit most:
Students: Use Agent Mode to gather research data and Focus Cell to navigate study spreadsheets without getting lost.
Business professionals: The modernized Get Data tool makes importing sales data and financial reports much faster.
Mobile workers: The new Apple app design helps you manage spreadsheets on the go.
Team collaborators: Comment preview saves time when working on shared projects.
Data analysts: All these features combined improve your workflow automation and productivity.
How to Get Access to These Features
Most of these new Microsoft Excel features require a Microsoft 365 subscription. Some features are rolling out to different users at different times, so if you don’t see them immediately, check for updates in a few days.
To update Excel:
- Open Excel on your device
- Go to File > Account
- Check for updates under Product Information
- Install any available updates
If you want to try features before everyone else, consider joining the Microsoft 365 Insider Program. Insiders get early access to new tools and can provide feedback to Microsoft.
Making the Most of Excel in 2025
The new Excel features in December 2025 represent a major step forward in making spreadsheets more intelligent and user-friendly.
From AI-powered Agent Mode to better mobile experiences, Microsoft is clearly listening to what users need.
The beauty of these updates is that they don’t require you to learn complicated new skills. Most of them work intuitively and solve real problems that people face every day.
Whether you’re importing data, navigating large spreadsheets, or collaborating with teammates, these tools make everything smoother.
As we move into 2026, expect even more improvements. Microsoft has already announced plans for additional Copilot capabilities, enhanced data visualization tools, and more powerful formula functions. The future of Excel looks bright, and staying updated with the latest features will give you a real advantage in school, work, or business.
For more information about Excel updates and tips, check out the official Microsoft Excel blog, where they announce new features every month.
Conclusion
December 2025 brings five incredible updates to Excel that make working with spreadsheets faster and easier. Agent Mode with web search lets you import live data without switching tabs, while the modernized Get Data tool simplifies importing information from external sources.
Mobile users get a beautiful new design on Apple devices, and the comment preview feature saves time when collaborating on protected workbooks.
Finally, Focus Cell helps you navigate large spreadsheets without getting lost. These features show that Microsoft is committed to improving Excel for everyone, from students to business professionals.
Update your Excel today and start exploring these powerful new tools that will boost your productivity.
