In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst sits down with Brian Jones to explore how Excel is evolving in the era of AI and large language models. They discuss how Copilot, agent mode, and AI-driven capabilities are transforming the way users build, analyse, and improve spreadsheets. Brian shares insights into how Excel is becoming more like a developer tool and how AI can automate repetitive tasks while enhancing productivity for both beginners and advanced users.

Brian Jones is the Vice President of Microsoft Excel, Forms, and Office Platforms. He has been with Microsoft since 1999, working across multiple productivity products, including Word, Office Forms, and developer extensibility tools. In his current role, Brian leads a global team responsible for Excel and related platforms, driving innovation and integrating AI capabilities like Copilot and agent mode into the product ecosystem.

Expect to Learn

1. What “agent mode” means and how it enables automation in spreadsheets
2. How AI can help analyse, fix errors, and improve financial models
3. Why Excel still requires strong logic and formula knowledge
4. How different AI models impact outputs and workflows in Excel Edge

Here are a few quotes from the episode:

1. “Excel really is like a developer tool. When you're writing formulas, you're essentially coding.” – Brian Jones
2. “It’s not just about building from scratch, it’s about improving what you already have.” – Brian Jones

Excel is evolving into a more intelligent and interactive platform where AI acts as a powerful assistant rather than a replacement. From fixing broken references to building dashboards and automating workflows, tools like Copilot and agent mode are helping users work faster and smarter

Follow Brian:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brijones/

Website: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/blogs/brian_jones/

Follow Financial Modeler's Corner:

LinkedIn Page- https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner/

Newsletter - Subscribe on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7079020077076905984

Sign up for the Advanced Financial Modeler Accreditation Today and receive 15% off by using the special show code ‘Podcast’.

Visit https://bit.ly/497oAqW and use the code “Podcast” to save 15% when you register.

In today’s episode:

[00:51] – Introducing Brian Jones

[02:50] – Returning to the Excel Team

[04:05] – AI & the Future of Excel

[06:38] – Customer Questions About Copilot

[10:22] – Agent Mode Explained

[11:41] – Modeling the community about the Excel agent

[13:14] – AI Models & Output Differences

[17:16] – Final Thoughts

In this episode of The ModSquad, Ian Bennett, Partner at PwC, joins Paul Barnhurst, Giles Male, and Ian Schnoor to discuss the rapid changes happening in financial modeling with the rise of AI. The team explores how AI tools like Claude are revolutionizing the industry, the critical role of strong modeling skills, and the ongoing importance of trust in financial modeling. They also touch on the future of Excel in the age of AI and how professionals can adapt to stay ahead in this rapidly changing landscape.

Ian Bennett is a Partner at PwC, leading Deals Modeling in Australia and globally. With over 25 years of experience, Ian has built and reviewed complex models for transactions, infrastructure, finance transformations, and BAU forecasting across Australia and the UK. Ian is a founding member of the Financial Modeling Institute's (FMI) Advisory Council and a member of FMI's Financial Modeling Global Leaders Council. He is also the lead author of PwC’s Global Financial Modeling Guidelines.

Expect to Learn

1. How AI tools like Claude are reshaping the financial modeling process.
2. The crucial role of human oversight and strong modeling skills, even with advanced AI.
3. Why AI in financial modeling is seen as an augmentation tool rather than a replacement.
4. How the role of financial modelers is evolving in the age of AI and automation.
5. What the future holds for Excel, and how AI integration is transforming it.

Here are a few quotes from the episode:

1. “We all trade in trust. Whether you use AI or not, it’s your name behind it. That’s the most valuable thing in our profession.” - Ian Bennett
2. “Financial modeling is so much more than just building a calculator in a spreadsheet. It’s a profession, it’s a discipline, it’s a career.” - Ian Bennett

Claude and other AI tools are significantly enhancing the way financial modeling is done, but as Ian Bennett highlights, trust and deep foundational knowledge remain critical. The future of financial modeling isn’t about AI replacing human modelers; it’s about how professionals can use AI to work smarter, faster, and more accurately.

Follow Ian:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianschnoor/

Follow Giles:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/giles-male-30643b15/

Follow Ian Bennett:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianrbennett/

Website - https://www.pwc.com.au/deals/modelling.html

In today’s episode:

[02:10] – Introducing Ian Bennett

[07:00] – Testing Claude in Excel

[10:10] – Focusing Beyond the Build Phase

[14:00] – How AI is Enhancing Modeling Phases

[17:30] – The Importance of Reviewing AI-Generated Models

[19:45] – Trusting AI: Augmentation vs. Replacement

[25:00] – Rethinking the Role of Financial Modelers

[30:00] – The Future of Excel and AI Agent Mode

[33:00] – Reinventing the Financial Modeling Profession

[36:00] – The Future of Excel in the AI Era

[39:30] – Final Thoughts

In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst sits down with Brian Jones, Vice-President: Microsoft Excel, Forms, Office Platforms, to discuss how Excel is evolving in the era of AI and large language models. They explore how Copilot, agent mode, and AI-driven features are reshaping how professionals build, analyse, and improve spreadsheets. Brian also shares insights into how AI can assist financial modelers, automate tedious spreadsheet tasks, and help users understand complex workbooks faster.

Brian Jones is the Vice-President: Microsoft Excel, Forms. He has worked at Microsoft since 1999 across several productivity platforms, including Word, Office Forms, and developer extensibility tools. In his current role, Brian leads the Excel product team as they integrate AI capabilities like Copilot and agent mode to expand what users can accomplish inside spreadsheets.

Expect to Learn

1. How AI and Copilot are changing the Excel user experience
2. What “agent mode” means for automating spreadsheet tasks
3. How AI can help analyse and improve financial models
4. Why Excel still requires strong modeling and formula knowledge
5. How skill sheets and templates can guide AI inside workbooks

Here are a few quotes from the episode:

1. “Excel really is like a developer tool. When you're writing formulas, you're essentially coding.” – Brian Jones
2. “One of the strengths of Excel is that the work is visible. You can see the formulas, the logic, and how the result was produced.” – Brian Jones

Brian explains how AI is transforming Excel from a traditional spreadsheet tool into a more collaborative environment where users can interact with their data through conversation. Copilot can analyse spreadsheets, suggest formulas, correct errors, and even rebuild broken references automatically.

Follow Brian:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brijones/

Website: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/blogs/brian_jones/

Follow Financial Modeler's Corner:

LinkedIn Page- https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner/

Newsletter - Subscribe on LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7079020077076905984

Sign up for the Advanced Financial Modeler Accreditation Today and receive 15% off by using the special show code ‘Podcast’.

Visit https://bit.ly/497oAqW and use the code “Podcast” to save 15% when you register.

In today’s episode:

[02:53] – Brian’s Background at Microsoft

[03:09] – Returning to the Excel Team

[04:24] – The Rise of AI and LLMs in Excel

[07:08] – Customer Questions About Copilot

[10:39] – AI Rollouts and Product Updates

[12:03] – How modelers Are Using Excel AI

[17:52] – What Skill Sheets Are and Why They Matter

[23:07] – Power Query and Excel Programming Languages

[30:51] – Do We Still Need to Learn Formulas

[36:07] – Getting the Most Out of Copilot

[38:40] – Favorite Excel Shortcut and Functions

[41:31] – Where to Follow Brian