1.21 Excel in Agent Mode & file upload in chat (Sep 15, 2026)

Release 1.21 brings the two capabilities that were asked for most. MAIA now analyzes Excel spreadsheets and backs every figure with the cell it comes from. And you upload files directly in a chat, without creating a Data Collection first. Together that means going from a file on your machine to a sourced answer in under a minute.

What's new:

1. Excel in Agent Mode

2. File upload in chat

🤖 Excel in Agent Mode

MAIA can now read Excel files too. You upload your spreadsheets, select them in an Agent Mode chat and ask them questions in plain language. MAIA works through large tables completely rather than sampling them, and it analyzes several spreadsheets together in the same question. Every figure is backed by the cell it comes from, and MAIA recalculates sums, counts and matches itself before stating them. The answer keeps verified figures from the file separate from MAIA's own interpretation. Your files stay unchanged, MAIA only reads them.

What this gives you

✅ You query your spreadsheets in plain language instead of filtering and pivoting

✅ MAIA analyzes several spreadsheets together in a single question

✅ Tables with several thousand rows are searched in full

Available to everyone, enabled by default. MAIA analyzes files in .xlsx format. Older .xls files, files with macros and password-protected files are not supported.

📁 File upload in chat

The fastest route to an answer is now: drop the file into the chat, ask your question, done. No Data Collection to set up, no detour through the File Manager. Use "Upload files" in the plus menu, drag and drop the file onto the chat window, or paste it straight from your clipboard, screenshots included. MAIA prepares the file in the background and sends your question automatically as soon as the file is ready, so you don't have to sit and wait.

What this gives you

✅ From file to answer in two steps, with nothing to set up first

✅ Excel spreadsheets go straight into the chat too, with your question right after

✅ Paste screenshots and images straight from your clipboard

✅ Uploaded files stay in the File Manager and can be selected again later

Available to everyone, with no setup. Supported formats are XLSX, PDF, DOCX, PPTX, TXT, CSV, JPEG, PNG and WebP.

🔧 Improvements & bug fixes

• Agent Mode answers questions about several files faster because it now analyzes them in parallel

• In Agent Mode, a failed access to part of a document is now clearly marked as a status message instead of possibly showing invented text in its place

• Fixed: CSV files could not be uploaded to the File Manager in Firefox

• Minor bug fixes and performance improvements

Questions or feedback about this release? Feel free to reach out.