Microsoft is trying to make "Vibe Working" a new trend in the office. Following the previous application of AI technology in programming, which was called "Vibe Coding", Microsoft has also brought this concept into Office application tools such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint, andNew "Agent Mode" toolCreate a "new type of work model of human-machine collaboration."
Microsoft says users can use Copilot Chat or Office Agent within Office applications to instantly generate a draft with a simple command, then repeatedly interact with AI to refine the document. Microsoft describes this process as "a new generation of human-machine collaboration," hoping to reduce repetitive tasks through AI, allowing users to focus more on content and decision-making.
Currently, "Agent Mode" is available for Word and Excel, with a PowerPoint version expected to be released later. Regarding Excel usage, Microsoft emphasizes that AI can "understand Excel" and help ordinary people overcome the barriers to using advanced functions and macros.
Microsoft also released a set of data: In the SpreadsheetBench test project, Copilot's "Agent Mode" achieved an accuracy rate of 57.2% on Excel. Although it is still lower than the average human performance of 71.3%, it has demonstrated the feasibility of AI in professional tool applications.
In Word, "Agent Mode" not only helps with drafting, but also allows for summarization, text editing, and content extension, and can even rewrite documents to suit the user's style. However, Microsoft has not released its accuracy data, so its true performance still needs further testing.
On the other hand, Office Agent can also play a role in Copilot Chat mode, where users can directly generate PowerPoint presentations or Word files in the conversation, providing a creative process centered on "conversation." Microsoft said that these features are based on the combination of OpenAI andAnthropic Model, respectively applied to different scenarios to ensure the output effect.
Currently, the "Agent Mode" of Excel and Word, as well as Office Agent, are available through the Frontier Program.First to open for testing, but it is currently limited to the web version, and the desktop version is expected to be launched soon.
While Microsoft is actively promoting the "Vibe Working" concept, skepticism remains about the true benefits of AI in the workplace. Some worry that over-reliance on AI could lead to a decline in users' learning and thinking abilities, while the reliability and accuracy of AI-generated results are issues that businesses must carefully assess before adopting.
Overall, Microsoft is attempting to redefine workflows through the AI-powered Office tools, making Excel accessible not just to a select few but to anyone empowered by AI. Whether this model truly boosts productivity or merely creates a more "atmospheric" work style remains to be seen in the market and in actual user experience.
