OpenAI’s New ChatGPT Features Could Rival Excel, PowerPoint

OpenAI is reportedly working on enhancing ChatGPT’s productivity features, which could significantly reduce users’ reliance on Microsoft Office applications such as Excel and PowerPoint.

OpenAI is developing the capability to directly support Microsoft’s spreadsheet and presentation file formats within the ChatGPT interface, The Information reported. If implemented, this improvement could allow users to create, open, and edit these files natively, eliminating the current necessity to download them for use in other programs.

The company has reportedly added buttons below the ChatGPT search bar that guide users to create either a spreadsheet or a presentation.

The latest ChatGPT agents will assist customers in creating reports utilising corporate or public information, as well as managing routine tasks related to websites, including scheduling and making appointments.

It remains uncertain when OpenAI intends to launch these features, but they suggest that ChatGPT users would also have the ability to download and access these Excel and PowerPoint files using various applications not developed by Microsoft.

Since Microsoft has made the file formats open source, anyone can create files that work with Excel and PowerPoint, meaning OpenAI does not require permission from Microsoft to do so.

When considered collectively, these productivity features could enhance ChatGPT's appeal as a business tool, threatening the productivity suites offered by companies like Microsoft and Google. 

Notably, ChatGPT predominantly operates on Microsoft servers due to the financial agreement between the two companies. Hundreds of millions globally are utilising ChatGPT, including millions of subscribers, and OpenAI aims to position the app as a gateway for both consumers and businesses to access online services or accomplish tasks.