Microsoft announced today the introduction of new financial connectors in Microsoft Excel, along with reusable Copilot Skills. The latter will allow Excel users to automate various processes using sample finance skills or building their own. Microsoft explained that instead of starting from scratch each time, a skill guides Copilot through the steps, applying the right structure and formatting. Custom skills in Excel can be built using an open-standard markdown file. Microsoft is making pre-built finance skills available today for Microsoft 365 Copilot customers across Excel for Web, Windows, and Mac. Custom skills are available today via the Insiders channel for Windows and Mac. Eventually, Microsoft will also allow developers and partners to distribute their own custom Copilot skills for Excel via the Microsoft Marketplace and Microsoft 365 Admin Center. Starting today, Copilot in Excel can also access additional data sources through new financial data connectors from CB Insights, Daloopa, FactSet, Morningstar, PitchBook, and S&P Global. These connectors allow financial professionals to get the data they need for their analysis while reducing manual data pulls.