How to Use Copilot in Excel to Generate Stock and Geography Data Types

Excel’s Stock and Geography linked data types pull real-time information from the web into your spreadsheet. You can enter a company name or country and convert it into a rich data object with dozens of attributes like market cap, population, or GDP. Copilot in Excel can now generate these data types automatically based on your existing data. This article explains how to set up a table, ask Copilot to create Stock or Geography columns, and manage the results.

Many users type a list of names and then manually apply the data type from the Data tab. With Copilot, you skip that step. Copilot reads your column headers and values, then suggests the correct linked data type. It also helps you add related fields such as stock price change or capital city without writing formulas.

This guide covers the prerequisites, the exact prompts to use, and what to do when Copilot returns unexpected results. You will learn how to turn a simple list into a live dashboard of stock or geographic data in a few clicks.

What Are Stock and Geography Linked Data Types

Stock and Geography are two of Excel’s linked data types. When you convert a cell to a Stock data type, Excel connects to Microsoft’s cloud services and retrieves live data about that stock ticker or company name. The cell displays the company name, but you can click the icon to see fields like Price, Change, Market Cap, and PE Ratio. Geography works the same way for countries, regions, cities, and states. Fields include Population, Area, Capital, and Currency.

Before Copilot, you had to select the range and use the Data tab > Stock or Geography button. Copilot automates this step. It recognizes the context of your column header and suggests the correct data type. For example, if your column header says “Company” and the cells contain Microsoft, Apple, and Amazon, Copilot proposes Stock. If the header says “Country” and the cells contain France, Japan, and Brazil, Copilot proposes Geography.

Copilot can also insert additional fields after conversion. Instead of writing =STOCKHISTORY or clicking Add Field in the ribbon, you simply type “Add 52-week high” or “Add population”. Copilot creates the new column and populates it with the correct formula.

Prerequisites for Using Copilot with Linked Data Types

To use Copilot for Stock or Geography data types, you need the following:

• A Microsoft 365 subscription that includes Copilot for Microsoft 365. This is currently available in the Enterprise, Business, and Education plans.
• Excel for Windows version 2406 or later, or Excel for Mac version 16.84 or later. Copilot features for linked data types require these builds.
• Your data must be formatted as an Excel table. Select any cell in your list and press Ctrl+T or go to Insert > Table. The table must have a header row.
• An internet connection. Stock and Geography data types pull live information from online sources.
• Your data must contain recognizable names. Stock tickers like MSFT work. Full company names like “Microsoft Corporation” also work. For Geography, use standard country or city names such as “France” or “Tokyo”.

If your list contains abbreviations or nicknames, Copilot may not recognize them. Replace them with the full official name before running the prompt.

Steps to Generate Stock Data Types with Copilot

Follow these steps to convert a list of company names or tickers into Stock data types using Copilot.

1. Format your data as a table
   Select the range that includes your company names and the header. Press Ctrl+T. In the Create Table dialog, check “My table has headers” and click OK. Copilot only works with Excel tables.
2. Open the Copilot pane
   Go to the Home tab and click the Copilot button in the ribbon. The Copilot pane opens on the right side of the Excel window.
3. Enter the prompt for Stock data type
   Type the following in the Copilot text box: Convert this column to Stock data type. Press Enter. Copilot analyzes the column header and values. If the header is “Company” or “Ticker”, it will apply the Stock data type to all cells in that column.
4. Review the conversion
   Each cell now shows the company name with a small stock chart icon next to it. Click any cell to see the card with live fields. If Copilot did not convert all cells, check the names. Unrecognized entries remain as plain text.
5. Add a related field
   In the Copilot pane, type: Add Previous Close price. Copilot inserts a new column to the right of your table and fills it with the previous closing price for each stock. You can add multiple fields this way.

If Copilot does not suggest Stock, try a more specific prompt: Create Stock data type for the Company column. You can also click the Data tab and verify that the Stock data type is available for your region. Some country-specific exchanges may require the full ticker symbol.

Steps to Generate Geography Data Types with Copilot

The process for Geography data types is identical to Stock. The only difference is the prompt and the type of data in your table.

1. Prepare your table
   Ensure your data is in an Excel table with a header row. The header should describe the geographic entity, such as “Country”, “City”, or “Region”.
2. Open Copilot and enter the prompt
   In the Copilot pane, type: Convert this column to Geography data type. Press Enter. Copilot applies the Geography data type to the column.
3. Verify the results
   Each cell shows the geographic name with a map pin icon. Click a cell to see fields like Population, Area, Capital, and Languages. If a cell remains plain text, the name may be ambiguous. For example, “Springfield” exists in many US states. Add a state or country name to disambiguate.
4. Add a related field
   Type: Add Capital city or Add Population. Copilot inserts a new column with the requested data. You can add multiple fields in one prompt by separating them with commas.

Geography data types work best with official names. Use “United States” instead of “USA” and “United Kingdom” instead of “UK”. If Copilot fails to convert a cell, edit the name to its standard form and repeat the prompt.

Common Issues When Using Copilot with Linked Data Types

Copilot does not offer Stock or Geography data types

This usually happens when the column header is not descriptive enough. Change the header to “Company”, “Ticker”, “Country”, or “City”. Also confirm that your data is in a table. Copilot ignores non-table ranges. If the header is correct but Copilot still does not suggest the data type, your Excel version may be outdated. Install the latest updates from File > Account > Update Options.

Some cells remain as plain text after conversion

Copilot can only convert cells it recognizes. If a company name is misspelled or a city name is ambiguous, the cell stays as text. Check the spelling. For cities with duplicate names, add the country or state in parentheses. For example, change “Portland” to “Portland, Oregon” or “Portland, Maine”. Then run the prompt again.

Copilot adds the wrong data type

If your column contains stock tickers but the header says “Location”, Copilot may apply Geography instead. Rename the header to “Ticker” or “Stock Symbol”. For geography data, ensure the header does not contain financial terms. If the problem persists, manually apply the correct data type from the Data tab, then ask Copilot to add fields.

Copilot cannot add fields after conversion

This occurs when the table has been converted to a range or the linked data type was removed. Select any cell in the column and verify that the data type icon appears. If the icon is missing, reapply the data type using the Data tab. Then ask Copilot again to add a field. Also ensure you are using a supported Excel version.

Copilot Pro vs Copilot for Microsoft 365: Linked Data Type Support

Item	Copilot Pro	Copilot for Microsoft 365
Availability	Personal or Family subscription	Enterprise, Business, Education plans
Linked data type prompts	Not supported	Supported in Excel for Windows and Mac
Add field prompts	Not supported	Supported after data type conversion
Required Excel version	Any version with Copilot	Version 2406 Windows or 16.84 Mac
Internet requirement	Yes	Yes

Copilot Pro users cannot generate Stock or Geography data types through Copilot prompts. They must use the Data tab manually. Copilot for Microsoft 365 subscribers can use all prompts described in this article. If you have Copilot Pro, upgrade to a Microsoft 365 Business or Enterprise plan to unlock this functionality.

You can now convert a list of companies or geographic locations into live data types using Copilot in Excel. The feature saves time by eliminating manual ribbon navigation and formula writing. Start with a well-structured table and use clear prompts like “Convert this column to Stock data type”. After conversion, add fields such as Market Cap or Population with simple text commands. For best results, keep your data names official and your Excel version updated.