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AI Copilot — Grid & Column Commands

AI Copilot — ask questions, check quality, paste progress from ExcelAI Copilot — ask questions, check quality, paste progress from Excel

Time: ~10 minutes Level: Beginner Applies to: Free · Pro · Enterprise

What You Will Learn​

By the end of this tutorial, you will be able to:

  • Add and remove grid columns using the AI Copilot
  • Apply column presets with a single command
  • Group and sort the grid via natural language
  • Expand and collapse groups
  • Switch the UI theme (light/dark)

Prerequisites​

  • A Kazinex account (any tier)
  • A schedule loaded with activities
  • Familiarity with the AI Copilot panel (see Master the AI Copilot)

Step 1 — Add a Column to the Grid​

Use natural language to add a column without opening the Column Chooser.

  1. Open the AI Copilot panel (Ctrl+Shift+I).
  2. Type: "Add total float to the grid"
  3. Press Enter.
  4. The Copilot adds the Total Float column to the grid immediately.

What you should see: The Total Float column appears in the grid. The Copilot confirms: "Added Total Float column to the grid."

Step 2 — Add Multiple Columns at Once​

Add several columns in a single command.

  1. Type: "Add labour percent, cost percent, and schedule percent to the grid"
  2. Press Enter.
  3. The Copilot uses smart column matching to find the correct columns and adds all three.

What you should see: Three new percentage columns appear in the grid. The Copilot handles British/American spelling variations and abbreviations automatically (for example, "labour" matches "Labor Units Percent Complete").

Step 3 — Remove a Column​

Remove a column you no longer need.

  1. Type: "Remove total float from the grid"
  2. Press Enter.
  3. The column hides from the grid.

What you should see: The Total Float column disappears from the grid. The column is hidden, not deleted — you can add it back at any time.

Step 4 — List Available Presets​

See which column presets are available.

  1. Type: "List available column presets"
  2. Press Enter.
  3. The Copilot returns a table of preset names and descriptions.

What you should see: A list showing 8 presets: Default, Baseline, Progress, Updated Programme, Earned Value, Dates Detail, Float Analysis, and Resources. Each preset has a brief description.

Step 5 — Apply a Column Preset​

Switch the entire grid layout with one command.

  1. Type: "Apply the Earned Value preset"
  2. Press Enter.
  3. The grid replaces its current columns with the Earned Value preset columns.

What you should see: The grid now shows EVM-specific columns: BAC, BCWS, BCWP, ACWP, SV, CV, SPI, CPI, and EAC. All previous columns are replaced.

Step 6 — Group Activities​

Group the grid by a field.

  1. Type: "Group by WBS Level 2"
  2. Press Enter.
  3. Activities nest under WBS Level 2 headings.

What you should see: The grid shows group header rows with WBS names. Each group can be expanded or collapsed.

Step 7 — Sort the Grid​

Sort activities by a column.

  1. Type: "Sort by total float ascending"
  2. Press Enter.
  3. Activities reorder so the lowest float appears first.

What you should see: The grid sorts with critical activities (zero or negative float) at the top and high-float activities at the bottom.

Step 8 — Expand and Collapse Groups​

Control group visibility via the Copilot.

  1. Type: "Collapse all groups"
  2. Press Enter — all groups collapse to show only header rows.
  3. Type: "Expand all groups"
  4. Press Enter — all groups expand to show their activities.

What you should see: Groups toggle between collapsed (headers only) and expanded (headers plus activity rows) states.

Step 9 — Switch the Theme​

Change the UI appearance.

  1. Type: "Switch to dark theme"
  2. Press Enter.
  3. The entire interface switches to dark mode.
  4. Type: "Switch to light theme" to revert.

What you should see: The background, grid, Gantt chart, and Copilot panel all switch to a dark colour scheme. Light theme restores the default white background.

Step 10 — Verify Your Commands​

Confirm you can control the grid entirely through the Copilot.

  1. Add a column, then remove it — both work via natural language.
  2. Apply a preset — the grid layout changes completely.
  3. Sort and group — the data reorganises.
  4. Expand/collapse — groups toggle.
  5. Theme — the UI switches between light and dark.

What you should see: Full control over the grid layout, organisation, and appearance without ever touching the toolbar or Column Chooser directly.

What's Next?​

Troubleshooting​

IssueSolution
Column not foundThe Copilot uses fuzzy matching. Try a different name or abbreviation. For example, "TF" matches "Total Float".
Preset not applyingEnsure you use the exact preset name. Type "List available column presets" first to see the correct names.
Grouping produces empty groupsSome WBS levels may have no activities. Try grouping by a lower level or by Activity Code.
Sort order seems wrongConfirm whether you asked for ascending or descending. "Ascending" puts the smallest values first.
Theme command not recognisedUse "dark theme", "light theme", or "auto theme" as the command.