Use Excel Copilot to Build and Analyze Revenue Models Faster

Copilot no longer requires an Excel Table; it reads plain ranges too, as long as there is one header row with unique, descriptive column names and no merged cells, subtotals, or empty rows. Formatting a table is still worth doing because it keeps the range stable as rows are added:

1. Click anywhere in your data range
2. Press Ctrl+T (or go to Insert > Table)
3. Check "My table has headers" and click OK
4. Your table will have a blue/striped design that marks where your data lives

Click the Copilot icon in the lower-right corner of the Excel window. A panel opens on the right side of your screen. Microsoft moved Copilot off the Home ribbon in 2026; press F6 to reach the corner button from the keyboard, or right-click it and choose Move to ribbon if you prefer the old placement.

Type a question or request in plain English in the Copilot panel. Start simple:

• "What are the average ADR and occupancy by day of week?"
• "Which room types have the highest RevPAR this month?"
• "Show me a summary of pickup pace by arrival week"

Copilot will either show you the answer directly or generate a formula/pivot table to answer it.

For formulas, describe exactly what you need:

• "Add a column that calculates RevPAR index vs. comp set. My RevPAR is in column D, comp set RevPAR is in column E."
• "Create a formula that flags any date where my occupancy is more than 15 percentage points below the same date last year"
• "Calculate the revenue displacement cost if I take a group at $149/room when my transient forecast is $189 ADR at 75% occupancy"

Copilot generates the formula, inserts it, and explains what it does.

Instead of manually configuring a pivot table:

1. With your data table selected, click Copilot
2. Type: "Create a pivot table showing total revenue by month and room type"
3. Copilot creates a new sheet with the pivot table already configured

Copilot maintains context within a session, so you can follow up:

• "Now break that down by channel instead of room type"
• "Add a column showing each month as a % of the full year total"
• "Highlight the top 3 performing months in green"