Fundamental Research Labs, an artificial intelligence startup launched out of MIT, has created Shortcut, a system of AI agents that can do multi-step work on Excel, such as creating discounted cash flow models in finance. Shortcut is accessed through its website, which is designed to look quite similar to Excel with its green lines and tabs. There is a side bar that opens on the right side where users can prompt the AI agents. Users can also open or upload Excel files on Shortcut. The user writes a prompt in natural language and uploads documents for the AI agents to “read.” The group of AI agents behind the tool then gets to work to create business models, financial statements and the like. Unlike macro scripts or cloud-based automation, Shortcut can adapt mid-task if something changes. That flexibility makes it more likely to handle the messy, inconsistent workflows that dominate office life. It also keeps sensitive data on-device, a selling point for regulated industries. Shortcut CEO Nico Christie said “It’s not about replacing Excel — it’s about replacing the need to open Excel in the first place.” Asked how Shortcut is different from Microsoft Copilot that is in Excel, Christie told that Copilot does specific tasks the user tells it to do, like write formulas or create charts. Shortcut does full financial modeling and analysis. Shortcut scores over 80% on cases presented at the Microsoft Excel World Championship, described as a “thrilling” competition among Excel users. Christie said Shortcut finished the cases in about 10 minutes, or 10 times faster than humans.