Fontics vs Copilot in Excel
Copilot is Microsoft's AI inside Excel, with Agent Mode for multi-step edits, finance skills and market-data connectors. Fontics is an AI-free add-in for the analysis and review that has to repeat exactly. If your firm runs on Microsoft 365, they fit together.
Last reviewed by Admin.
Facts about Copilot in Excel come from Microsoft's public pages and other public sources, listed under Sources. Prices are list prices as of the review date.
Short answer
- Copilot is the natural choice if your firm standardizes on Microsoft 365: it is built into Excel, governed by your tenant, and Agent Mode can plan and carry out multi-step work in the workbook.
- With a Microsoft 365 Copilot licence it adds finance skills (such as a DCF or variance analysis) and connectors to data providers like FactSet, S&P Global and PitchBook.
- Fontics does the deterministic part: one-click scenario sets, tornado charts, multi-driver goal seek, Monte Carlo, formula audits and valuation reviews, with the same answer every run, in Excel or Google Sheets.
your firm is on Microsoft 365 Copilot and you want AI to build, clean, chart or explain workbooks, pull market data, or draft a DCF from a skill.
you need repeatable scenario, sensitivity and Monte Carlo analysis and model reviews you can show an IC, including on models Copilot built.
At a glance
What each tool is built to do. A dot means it can be done, but you prompt for it or set it up yourself each time.
| Stage | Job | Copilot in Excel | Fontics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build | Build a model from scratch | YesAgent Mode; finance skills | No |
| Write and fix formulas | Yes | No | |
| Data wrangling, pivots, charts | YesAlso Python in Excel | No | |
| Plain-language questions | Yes | No | |
| Analyze | Scenario analysis | PartlyPer prompt | Yes10+ scenarios in a minute |
| Sensitivity and tornado charts | Partly | YesRank drivers in seconds | |
| Stress tests and break-evens | Partly | Yes | |
| Multi-driver goal seek and solvers | Partly | Yes | |
| Monte Carlo simulation | PartlyPossible via Python in Excel | Yes1,000+ runs, add-on from $5/month | |
| Review | Valuation review (DCF/LBO drivers, DLOM, Black-Scholes) | Partly | Yes |
| Formula audit | PartlyEdits visible in Show Changes | Yes | |
| Deep precedent and dependent traces | Partly | Yes | |
| Platform | Same answer every run | NoGenerative; outputs vary | YesAI-free |
| Excel for Mac | PartlyFeatures vary by platform | Yes | |
| Google Sheets | No | YesSame plan |
Side by side
| Fact | Copilot in Excel | Fontics |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Microsoft's AI assistant built into Excel. Agent Mode, generally available since April 2026, plans multi-step edits in the workbook.[1][2] | An AI-free Excel and Google Sheets add-in that runs analysis (scenarios, sensitivities, stress tests, solvers, Monte Carlo) and reviews models (formula audits, deep traces, valuation reviews) for investment, credit and valuation teams. |
| Finance features | With a Microsoft 365 Copilot licence: finance skills such as a DCF and a variance analysis, plus custom skills.[1] | 20+ modules: scenarios, sensitivities, stress tests, solvers, Monte Carlo, football fields, formula audits, valuation reviews, DLOM and Black-Scholes. |
| Market data | Connectors to providers including CB Insights, Daloopa, FactSet, Morningstar, PitchBook and S&P Global.[1] | None. Fontics works on the data already in your model. |
| AI model | Microsoft chooses the model; Anthropic models are offered as an option.[3] | AI-free and 100% deterministic: same inputs, same answer, every time. |
| Builds models | Yes, through Agent Mode and skills. | Does not build models. It analyzes and reviews the model you or your AI built. |
| Tracking changes | Copilot edits show in Excel's Show Changes and file history on OneDrive or SharePoint.[3] | Analysis runs in new sheets. Your original model is left intact. |
| Google Sheets | No. Copilot is part of Microsoft 365. | Excel on Windows and Mac, and Google Sheets. One plan covers both. |
| Licence | Microsoft 365 Copilot add-on on a qualifying business or enterprise plan, or Microsoft 365 Personal, Family or Premium.[3][4] | Fontics plan, independent of your Microsoft licence. |
| Price | Microsoft 365 Copilot (enterprise) $30/user/month on annual terms; Copilot Business $21/user/month; on top of the base Microsoft 365 plan.[4][5] | Free Core plan; paid plans $20 and $50/month; Monte Carlo add-on from $5/month |
Choose Copilot in Excel if
- Your firm has standardized on Microsoft 365 and IT already governs Copilot.
- You want an agent to build or clean a workbook, create pivots, charts and dashboards, or write Python in Excel.
- You want market data from FactSet, S&P Global or PitchBook pulled into the model through a connector.
- You want one AI across Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams.
What Copilot in Excel does well
- Built into Excel: no extra add-in to deploy and tenant-level governance.
- Agent Mode plans multi-step work and shows its edits in Show Changes.
- Finance skills and data connectors out of the box with the licence.
- Python in Excel for statistical work beyond formulas.
Choose Fontics if
- You need the same analysis every time: base, downside and upside cases, a tornado of the top drivers, break-evens and solvers, in one click.
- You want a Monte Carlo on a deal model without writing Python.
- You need to review a model (formula audit, deep traces, valuation drivers) before IC, including models Copilot built.
- Some of your team, clients or portfolio companies work in Google Sheets.
- You do not have, or do not want to pay for, a Copilot seat for every analyst.
Where Fontics is not the right tool
- Fontics will not build models, pull market data or write formulas.
- It is not part of your Microsoft agreement, so it is a separate add-in for IT to approve (it is on Microsoft AppSource).
What Copilot in Excel does well
- Built into Excel: no extra add-in to deploy and tenant-level governance.
- Agent Mode plans multi-step work and shows its edits in Show Changes.
- Finance skills and data connectors out of the box with the licence.
- Python in Excel for statistical work beyond formulas.
Where Fontics is not the right tool
- Fontics will not build models, pull market data or write formulas.
- It is not part of your Microsoft agreement, so it is a separate add-in for IT to approve (it is on Microsoft AppSource).
Using Copilot in Excel and Fontics together
Copilot builds and fetches. Fontics tests and reviews. Both live in the Excel ribbon.
- 01
Build with Copilot
Use Agent Mode or a finance skill to draft the model and pull comparables or market data through a connector.
- 02
Audit with Fontics
Run a formula audit and deep traces to confirm how the outputs are calculated before anyone relies on them.
- 03
Stress-test with Fontics
Run scenarios, a tornado, break-evens and a Monte Carlo. Results land in new sheets with native charts, ready for the IC deck.
Who uses each
Copilot in Excel
Microsoft 365 enterprises and their finance, FP&A and operations teams. The finance skills and data connectors target banking, research and corporate finance users on Microsoft 365 Copilot licences.[1]
Fontics
Investment, credit and valuation teams at funds, banks, lenders and advisors. They run DCF, LBO, project finance and real estate models and need to defend the numbers in front of an investment or credit committee.
Pricing
Copilot in Excel
Fontics
- Core is free forever, Transactions is $20/month and Institutional is $50/month.
- Monte Carlo is an add-on from $5/month ($5 on Core, $10 on Transactions and Institutional).
- Every plan covers Excel and Google Sheets.
Microsoft prices vary by country, agreement and promotion. US list prices shown.
FAQ
Is Copilot enough for scenario and sensitivity analysis?
It can build a scenario or a data table when you ask. Each run is a new generation to prompt and check. Fontics runs fixed modules on your model's formulas and returns the charts and tables in seconds, the same way every time.
Can I use Fontics and Copilot in the same workbook?
Yes. They are separate add-ins and do not conflict. Fontics leaves your model intact and writes results to new sheets.
Does Fontics need a Copilot licence?
No. Fontics works with any Excel on Windows or Mac, and in Google Sheets, on its own plan.
Can Copilot run Monte Carlo?
It can write Python in Excel or build a RAND-based sheet on request. Fontics has a Monte Carlo module (1,000+ runs) as an add-on from $5/month, with no code.
Can IT approve Fontics?
Fontics is a Microsoft Partner and installs from Microsoft AppSource and the Google Workspace Marketplace. Standard modules run locally in the workbook.
Sources
- 1.Microsoft, Copilot in Excel built for the era of frontier finance · 25 Jun 2026
- 2.Just Being Resourceful, Copilot in Excel Agent Mode GA · 19 May 2026
- 3.Microsoft Support, Copilot in Excel
- 4.Dupple, How to use Copilot in Excel: plans and prices · Microsoft prices read 28 Oct 2026
- 5.Activepieces, Microsoft 365 Copilot pricing (2026) · 31 Oct 2026
- 6.MyExcelOnline, Is Copilot in Excel free?
Vendor features and prices change often. If something here is out of date, tell us and we will correct it. Product names are trademarks of their owners; Fontics is not affiliated with them.
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