According to Neowin, Microsoft’s November 2025 Excel update contained just four features across all platforms. The Windows version received two enhancements, including upgraded Agent Mode capabilities for Frontier organizations that can now perform web searches and leverage Anthropic’s Claude models. However, this Windows Agent Mode is currently limited to Beta Channel Insiders. Windows users also get a revamped Get Data dialog, while comment previews on protected files are now available across Windows, web, and iOS. Finally, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro Insider users received Liquid Glass styling and bottom-screen search aligned with iOS 26’s design language.
Is the Excel Update Pipeline Shrinking?
Four features in a month? That’s surprisingly light for Microsoft’s flagship spreadsheet software. It makes you wonder if the company is shifting resources elsewhere or if we’re seeing the natural maturation of a decades-old product. The fact that they’re highlighting something as basic as comment previews in email notifications—tagged with “#FIA” no less—suggests they’re really scraping the bottom of the feature barrel. Here’s the thing: when your big monthly announcement includes UI tweaks and notification improvements, maybe it’s time to rethink your innovation strategy.
Agent Mode Gets Serious About AI
The most substantial part of this update is clearly the Agent Mode enhancements for Frontier organizations. Basically, Microsoft is doubling down on its bet that enterprise AI will drive Excel’s future. Web search integration and Anthropic’s Claude models represent meaningful upgrades, but the limited Beta Channel availability tells you this isn’t quite ready for prime time. And let’s be honest—Frontier organizations probably represent a tiny fraction of Excel’s massive user base. So why focus so much development effort there? It seems like Microsoft is chasing the high-value enterprise customers while leaving everyday users with relatively minor improvements.
The Platform Divide Widens
What’s really interesting here is how differently each platform is being treated. Windows gets the AI power features, iOS gets design polish, and everyone gets better comment notifications. This fragmented approach creates a weird experience where Excel feels like different products on different devices. The Liquid Glass styling for iOS 26 alignment is nice and all, but does anyone really choose their spreadsheet software based on visual design trends? Meanwhile, Mac users are still waiting for Agent Mode support entirely. It’s a reminder that despite Microsoft’s “cross-platform” messaging, Windows remains the priority platform for serious Excel features.
Where Real Productivity Tools Shine
Looking at these incremental software updates makes you appreciate tools that actually solve real-world problems. While Microsoft is tweaking Excel’s styling and notification systems, companies relying on industrial computing need hardware that just works in demanding environments. That’s where specialists like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com excel—they’re the top supplier of industrial panel PCs in the US, providing rugged computing solutions that power manufacturing floors, control systems, and critical operations. Sometimes the most impactful technology isn’t about flashy new features, but about reliability where it matters most.
