01/14/2026
11 am PT / 12 pm MT / 1 pm CT / 2 pm ET
*approximate length: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Presenter: David Ringstrom, CPA
In this presentation, author and Excel expert David H. Ringstrom, CPA, will explore the transformative capabilities of Microsoft Copilot within Microsoft 365 for Windows, focusing on how to enhance productivity and streamline data management. Attendees will learn about the AutoSave feature, the benefits of both the free and Pro versions of Microsoft Copilot, and strategies for disabling distracting icons to maintain focus. David will also introduce techniques for cleaning data efficiently with Copilot, demonstrating how to compare data before and after cleanup and address common data issues automatically. Additionally, participants will discover the power of the COPILOT worksheet function. Microsoft Copilot’s capabilities are changing rapidly, so the topic mix for this webinar will be updated as needed to keep you abreast of the latest Copilot developments.
David H. Ringstrom, CPA, has more than 30 years of experience as a spreadsheet and accounting software consultant and speaker. He has presented over 2,500 live webinars and is the author or co-author of ten books, including “Microsoft 365 Excel All-in-One for Dummies”, “Microsoft 365 Excel for Dummies”, “Exploring Microsoft Excel’s Hidden Treasures”, and “QuickBooks Online for Dummies”.
In his webinars, David demonstrates every technique twice: first on a PowerPoint slide with numbered steps and then live in Excel for Microsoft 365 for Windows. He highlights any differences in Excel 2024, 2021, or 2019 during the presentation and in his detailed handouts. Attendees also receive an Excel workbook containing most of the examples he uses, making it easy to follow along and apply the techniques later. David additionally supports Excel for Mac users by answering their follow-up questions via email.
Who should attend:
- Professionals seeking to enhance their Excel skills, streamline data management, and leverage AI tools like Microsoft Copilot for improved productivity and efficiency.
Topics typically covered:
- Explore how to use the free version of the Microsoft Copilot AI tool
- Exploring the requirements and constraints of Microsoft Copilot in Excel
- Jump-starting data visualization with the Quick Analysis feature
- Simplifying messy tables with one-click cleanup
- Transforming inconsistent values into polished results
- Removing blanks, duplicates, and formatting problems
- Knowing when to switch to Power Query or manual tools
- Utilizing the COPILOT worksheet function for enhanced data analysis and automation
- Identifying the various # sign errors Excel formulas can return
Learning objectives:
- Recall how to use the COPILOT function in Excel to generate formula suggestions, interpret results, and apply natural-language queries within a worksheet
- Identify the requirements and limitations of the AutoSave feature in Microsoft Excel, including supported file types, storage locations, and how to enable or disable the feature
- Recognize valid syntax and argument requirements when creating a LAMBDA function in Excel
Level: Intermediate
David H. Ringstrom, CPA, is an author and nationally recognized instructor who teaches scores of webinars each year. His Excel courses are based on 25 years of consulting and teaching experience. David’s mantra is “Either you work Excel, or it works you,” so he focuses on what he sees users don’t, but should, know about Microsoft Excel. His goal is to empower you to use Excel more effectively.