Microsoft is no longer thinking of Excel as just a spreadsheet tool. Under the leadership of Satya Nadella, the company is redefining its software legacy through the lens of generative AI. In a recent interview, Nadella hinted that traditional business apps, including Excel, may become obsolete as AI agents take over the intelligence layer of enterprise workflows.
AI is reshaping the foundation of business software
According to Nadella, most SaaS apps today are “just CRUD databases with business logic.” But in the new era of Agentic AI, that logic shifts to AI agents capable of connecting and managing multiple databases simultaneously. This could lead to the collapse of traditional app structures, as intelligence no longer lives in individual apps, but in a shared AI layer.
Excel with Python and Copilot is just the beginning
Microsoft is already experimenting with this idea. Nadella described Excel combined with Python and Copilot as “like GitHub with Copilot”—transforming a spreadsheet into an interactive data analysis tool. In this context, users no longer need to understand formulas or scripts. The AI handles it, making advanced data manipulation accessible to non-experts.
The Copilot layer as the new interface
Microsoft’s broader strategy is to make Copilot the “UI for AI”, acting as a control panel for all tasks and agents. This suggests a future where users no longer open individual apps but instead rely on a single intelligent interface that coordinates tasks across tools and platforms.
As the software giant invests billions in AI infrastructure, the message is clear: Microsoft is preparing for a post-SaaS world, and Excel may be just the first to evolve—or disappear.