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Welcome to the April 2025 update! This month introduces several exciting features across platforms, including value tokens, dark mode, and the ability to create tables with Copilot in Excel—all designed to enhance user experience, accessibility, and productivity.

Excel for Windows:
– Introducing value tokens in Excel (Insiders)
– Dark Mode in Excel #FIA
– ActiveX disabled by default (Insiders)

Excel for Windows and web:
– Table creation with Copilot in Excel
– Upload phone images with Copilot

Excel for Mac:
– View multiple worksheets side by side (Insiders)

Excel for Windows

Introducing value tokens in Excel (Insiders)

Value tokens provide a clear visual indication that a cell contains a data type or other richer format. The addition of an icon next to the value further helps differentiate between data types in a spreadsheet. Value tokens are currently available to Windows Insiders users and will soon be available for Mac, Android, iOS, and on the web. ” data-lia-auto-title-active=”0″>Read more here >

Value tokens provide a clear indicator that the cell contains a data type

Dark Mode in Excel #FIA
Excel for Windows now supports Dark Mode, which offers a dark color scheme for both the menu controls and the sheet background. Dark Mode can help reduce eye strain and improve accessibility for individuals with light sensitivity, while providing a modern look and feel. This
feature is currently rolling out to Windows CC (Current Channel) users. Read more here >

Window showing the Dark Mode pane under the View tab for Windows

ActiveX disabled by default (Insiders)
ActiveX is a powerful technology that enables rich interactions within Microsoft 365 applications, but its deep access to system resources also increases security risks. There will be a new default configuration for ActiveX controls: Disable all controls without notification. The new default setting is more secure because it blocks these controls entirely, reducing the risk of malware or unauthorized code execution. ” data-lia-auto-title-active=”0″>Read more here >

Picture showing the new business bar notification

Excel for Windows and web

Table creation with Copilot in Excel
For users who are not sure where to begin in Excel, now they can just tell Copilot what they want to create, and Copilot will suggest and refine a template with headers, formulas, and visuals to get them off to a great start. Users can either choose from suggested prompts or simply describe what they want, and Copilot will create a preview table. Then users can keep, regenerate, refine, or discard it with a click. This feature is available for Web users and currently rolling to Current Channel (CC) Windows users. ” data-lia-auto-title-active=”0″>Read more here >

Create a table using Copilot in Excel

Upload phone images with Copilot
Microsoft 365 Copilot now makes it effortless for users to bring their phone’s photos directly into your Word, Excel, or PowerPoint workspace, so they can transform visual data into actionable insights without the hassle of emailing or downloading files. ” data-lia-auto-title-active=”0″>Read more here >

Picture showing how to upload a picture from your phone

Excel for Mac

View multiple worksheets side by side (Insiders)
Excel for Mac now supports the ability to view multiple worksheets from the same or different workbooks side by side. This capability is already supported for Windows users. ” data-lia-auto-title-active=”0″>Read more here >

Picture showing the new view capability

 

 

Many of these features are the result of your feedback. THANK YOU! Your continued Feedback in Action (#FIA) helps improve Excel for everyone. Please let us know how you like a particular feature and what we can improve upon—“Give a compliment” or “Make a suggestion”..  You can also submit new ideas or vote for other ideas via Microsoft Feedback.

Subscribe to our Excel Blog and the Insiders Blog to get the latest updates. Stay connected with us and other Excel fans around the world – join our Excel Community and follow us on X, formerly Twitter.

Special thanks to our Excel MVPs David Benaim, Bill Jelen, Alan Murray, and John Michaloudis for their contribution to this month’s What’s New in Excel article. David publishes weekly YouTube videos and regular LinkedIn posts about the latest innovations in Excel and more. Bill is the founder and host of MrExcel.com and the author of several books about Excel. Alan is an Excel trainer, author and speaker, best known for his blog computergaga.com and YouTube channel with the same name. John is the Founder & Chief Inspirational Officer at MyExcelOnline.com where he passionately teaches thousands of professionals how to use Excel to stand out from the crowd.