Testing The New Microsoft Excel Agent for Finance Pros with Ian and Giles

In this episode of The ModSquad on Financial Modeler's Corner, Paul Barnhurst, Ian Schnoor, and Giles Male explore Microsoft’s newly released Excel Agent, a beta tool designed to bring AI into Excel Online. The team compares its performance to Rosie AI, running both through a range of tasks, including formula building, audit reviews, and a full five-year model forecast. Along the way, they test the tools against real modeling challenges like the Excel Esports case and a creative custom case, "The Humble MVP." This isn’t just about flashy tech. It’s a deeper conversation on where AI can help, where it falls short, and why core financial modeling skills still matter.

Expect to Learn

• What happened when Excel Agent tried to build a full five-year forecast model.
• Why solid modeling skills still beat "one-click" AI hype.
• Where AI tools succeed, and fail, in reviewing formulas and detecting issues.
• Why you should never fully trust AI without understanding what it’s doing.

Here are a few quotes from the episode:

• “Building a model is like flying a plane; you don’t want a rookie in charge when something breaks.” - Ian Schnoor
• “You can’t hit a prompt, go get a coffee, and expect a working model.” - Giles Male

Follow Ian Schnoor:

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

Follow Giles Male:

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

In today’s episode:

[02:21] - What is an Excel Agent and why does it matter?

[05:37] - Sharpen Your Modeling Skills

[06:51] - Modeling Requires Human Judgment

[09:27] - Esports Case: Rosie AI vs Excel Agent Test

[19:39] - Excel Agent Hangs in Beta Mode

[25:26] - Testing PVM in the Smoothie Business Case

[30:01] - Ian Takes Over: Testing Excel Agent on AFM Model

[44:11] - Building a five-year forecast model from scratch

[55:19] - Adding a revolver to the model

[01:00:12] - Why the balance sheet doesn’t balance

[01:03:46] - Final thoughts and takeaways