Microsoft’s New AI Agent for Excel and Word Enables “Vibe Working”
▼ Summary
– Microsoft introduced two new AI features called Agent Mode and Office Agent for Copilot that generate documents from text prompts.
– Agent Mode uses OpenAI’s GPT-5 model in Word and Excel web apps to create complex documents through multi-step planning and validation.
– Office Agent for Copilot uses Anthropic models within the Copilot chatbot to generate Word or PowerPoint files and is available first to Microsoft 365 Frontier Program subscribers.
– These features enable “vibe working,” a method where users iteratively create and refine documents through AI prompts, inspired by “vibe coding.”
– Agent Mode is currently limited to web versions of Word and Excel, with plans to expand to desktop applications later.
A new suite of Microsoft 365 capabilities is set to transform how professionals handle routine tasks in Word and Excel, allowing them to build detailed documents and spreadsheets simply by typing instructions into a chat interface. This development introduces two separate but similarly named tools, each powered by different artificial intelligence systems and integrated into distinct parts of the Microsoft ecosystem.
Agent Mode, which relies on OpenAI’s GPT-5 language model, is embedded directly into Word and Excel. Rather than executing a single command, this mode devises a multi-step plan to fulfill user requests and includes a verification process to help maintain output quality. Currently accessible only through the web-based editions of Word and Excel, Microsoft intends to expand its availability to desktop applications in the future.
Another offering, Office Agent for Copilot, uses models developed by Anthropic and functions within Microsoft’s Copilot AI assistant. This tool can also produce documents—specifically Word and PowerPoint files—from user prompts. Although it doesn’t perform the same multi-step validation as Agent Mode, Microsoft claims it represents a major upgrade over earlier OpenAI-based document generation in Copilot, which had drawn criticism for frequent errors and limitations. Office Agent is being released initially to members of the Frontier Program for Microsoft 365 subscribers.
Microsoft refers to the combined effect of these innovations as “vibe working,” a term inspired by “vibe coding.” Vibe coding describes the method of creating software entirely by conversing with a large language model—describing a desired outcome, receiving generated code, testing it, and refining through repeated feedback until the application works correctly. With vibe working, the same conversational, iterative approach now applies to office productivity tools, enabling users to accomplish complex assignments through natural language interaction.
(Source: Ars Technica)
