Getting started with Agent

Use Agent when you want help understanding, updating, or analyzing an Excel workbook. Agent works best when your request identifies the workbook area to use, the result you want, and any limits Agent should follow.

Open Agent from Coherent Assistant

Open Agent

1. Open the workbook you want to work with.

2. Open Coherent Assistant in Excel.

3. Select Agent from the Coherent Assistant application list.

4. Start a new chat or continue an existing conversation.

Before you start, decide whether you want Agent to review information, prepare a change, or make a workbook edit after approval. That choice determines which mode and prompt style to use.

Start with a specific request

A useful first message gives Agent enough context to begin without guessing.

Use this pattern:

Do [task] using [sheet, range, workbook, or attachment]. Return [format or level of detail].

Good examples:

• "Summarize the active sheet and identify the main inputs, outputs, and assumptions."

• "Review the formulas in column G and explain what they calculate."

• "Create a monthly revenue summary from the table on the Sales sheet."

• "Find hardcoded numbers in this model and tell me which ones look risky."

Less helpful examples:

• "Fix this."

• "Analyze everything."

• "Make it better."

If the request is broad, Agent may ask a follow-up question. You can save time by naming the sheet, range, attachment, or expected output in the first message.

Select the relevant area

When possible, select the cells, range, table, or sheet you want Agent to focus on before you ask. This helps Agent avoid reviewing unrelated workbook content.

For example:

1. Select a table in Excel.

2. Ask Agent: "Summarize this table and flag unusual values or missing fields."

If you already know the cell reference, include it in the prompt. For example: "Use Revenue!A1:H120."

Choose the right mode

Agent modes control whether Agent can only review content or can also make changes.

• Use read-only mode for summaries, explanations, searches, audits, and comparisons.

• Use Ask for edit mode when Agent should change a workbook, but you want to approve the change first.

• Use Agent mode only for trusted tasks where you have described the desired result clearly.

See Agent modes and approvals for details.

Attach files when needed

Attach files when the information Agent needs is not already in the open workbook. Agent can use workbooks, CSV files, JSON files, documents, text files, and images as context for your request.

Attached files stay on your device. Agent uses the relevant parts for your request rather than uploading the full file. See Using files and attachments for examples.

Review Agent's work

For important workbook changes, review the affected cells, formulas, or sheets after Agent finishes. You can also ask Agent to check its work:

Re-read the cells you changed and summarize the formulas, values, and formatting updates.

For guidance on responsible AI use, see AI Guidelines.