(Updated) Microsoft 365 Copilot: Extending Copilot Chat to Microsoft 365 apps

Message Center ID: MC1096218
Microsoft 365 suite Microsoft Copilot (Microsoft 365)
Plan for Change
New feature User impact Admin impact
June 2025 July 2025 August 2025 September 2025
Desktop Web

Summary

Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat is being rolled out across Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook on multiple platforms starting mid-2025. It respects user state, requires no admin action unless pinning is disabled, and does not change data processing or AI capabilities.

Details

September 17, 2025, Update: The rollout to Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote has started and is expected to complete in the coming weeks.

Updated July 29, 2025, Update: The rollout for Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote has been delayed to mid-August. The original timing has been updated in the original message. Additionally, Copilot Chat in the apps will respect the most recent user state (open or closed) when opening a file. 

We’re excited to announce that we are making Copilot Chat available as a side-by-side experience in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote to help users access AI in their flow of work.

Copilot Chat in Word (Windows desktop) for users without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license. UI elements subject to change.

Users can open Copilot Chat from the app ribbon. Copilot Chat in the apps will respect the most recent user state (open or closed) when opening a file.  

Copilot Chat will be available in these apps for users with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license, and for users without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license who have pinning enabled. We will update the text of the Pin Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat admin setting to reflect its expanded scope across Microsoft 365 apps.

Pin Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat in the Microsoft 365 admin center: Existing setting with updated language

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 494830

[When this will happen:]

General Availability:

  • • Outlook for Web, new Outlook for Windows, and classic Outlook for Windows: Rollout of this change starts in late June and completes in the weeks following.
  • • Outlook for Mac: Rollout of this change for Mac starts in mid-July and completes in the weeks following.
  • • Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote (Web, Mac, Windows): Rollout of this change starts in mid-August and completes in the weeks following.
    • Windows: Current Channel rollout will start in mid-August. Monthly Enterprise Channel rollout will be included as part of Patch Tuesday in September.
    • Mobile (Word/PowerPoint) / iPad (all) rollout will start no earlier than mid-August.

[What you need to do to prepare:]

No admin action is required. However, if your Pin Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat admin setting is configured to “Do not pin,” you should adjust it to “Pin” if you want your users without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license to access Copilot Chat in their Microsoft 365 apps.

Learn more about pinning and managing Copilot Chat: Manage Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat | Microsoft Learn.

[Compliance considerations:]

  • Does the change alter how existing customer data is processed, stored, or accessed? No.
  • Does the change introduce or significantly modify AI/ML or agent capabilities that interact with or provide access to customer data? No. 
  • Does the change provide a new way of communicating between users, tenants, or subscriptions? No. 
  • Does the change provide end users any new way of interacting with generative AI? No.

Related Roadmap Items

Change History

September 17, 2025 at 10:30 PM Updated
Summary
Previous
Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat is being extended to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote with a delayed rollout to mid-August for some apps. It respects the user's last state and is available for licensed users and those with pinning enabled. No admin action is needed unless adjusting pin settings.
New
Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat is being rolled out across Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook on multiple platforms starting mid-2025. It respects user state, requires no admin action unless pinning is disabled, and does not change data processing or AI capabilities.
Last Updated Date
Previous
2025-07-31T19:29:16.073Z
New
2025-09-17T20:59:06.287Z
Body Content
Previous

Updated July 29, 2025, Update: The rollout for Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote has been delayed to mid-August. The original timing has been updated in the original message. Additionally, Copilot Chat in the apps will respect the most recent user state (open or closed) when opening a file. 

We’re excited to announce that we are making Copilot Chat available as a side-by-side experience in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote to help users access AI in their flow of work.

Copilot Chat in Word (Windows desktop) for users without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license. UI elements subject to change.

Users can open Copilot Chat from the app ribbon. Copilot Chat in the apps will respect the most recent user state (open or closed) when opening a file.  

Copilot Chat will be available in these apps for users with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license, and for users without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license who have pinning enabled. We will update the text of the Pin Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat admin setting to reflect its expanded scope across Microsoft 365 apps.

Pin Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat in the Microsoft 365 admin center: Existing setting with updated language

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 494830

[When this will happen:]

General Availability:

  • • Outlook for Web, new Outlook for Windows, and classic Outlook for Windows: Rollout of this change starts in late June and completes in the weeks following.
  • • Outlook for Mac: Rollout of this change for Mac starts in mid-July and completes in the weeks following.
  • • Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote (Web, Mac, Windows): Rollout of this change starts in mid-August and completes in the weeks following.
    • Windows: Current Channel rollout will start in mid-August. Monthly Enterprise Channel rollout will be included as part of Patch Tuesday in September.
    • Mobile (Word/PowerPoint) / iPad (all) rollout will start no earlier than mid-August.

[What you need to do to prepare:]

No admin action is required. However, if your Pin Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat admin setting is configured to “Do not pin,” you should adjust it to “Pin” if you want your users without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license to access Copilot Chat in their Microsoft 365 apps.

Learn more about pinning and managing Copilot Chat: Manage Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat | Microsoft Learn.

[Compliance considerations:]

  • Does the change alter how existing customer data is processed, stored, or accessed? No.
  • Does the change introduce or significantly modify AI/ML or agent capabilities that interact with or provide access to customer data? No. 
  • Does the change provide a new way of communicating between users, tenants, or subscriptions? No. 
  • Does the change provide end users any new way of interacting with generative AI? No.
New

September 17, 2025, Update: The rollout to Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote has started and is expected to complete in the coming weeks.

Updated July 29, 2025, Update: The rollout for Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote has been delayed to mid-August. The original timing has been updated in the original message. Additionally, Copilot Chat in the apps will respect the most recent user state (open or closed) when opening a file. 

We’re excited to announce that we are making Copilot Chat available as a side-by-side experience in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote to help users access AI in their flow of work.

Copilot Chat in Word (Windows desktop) for users without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license. UI elements subject to change.

Users can open Copilot Chat from the app ribbon. Copilot Chat in the apps will respect the most recent user state (open or closed) when opening a file.  

Copilot Chat will be available in these apps for users with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license, and for users without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license who have pinning enabled. We will update the text of the Pin Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat admin setting to reflect its expanded scope across Microsoft 365 apps.

Pin Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat in the Microsoft 365 admin center: Existing setting with updated language

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 494830

[When this will happen:]

General Availability:

  • • Outlook for Web, new Outlook for Windows, and classic Outlook for Windows: Rollout of this change starts in late June and completes in the weeks following.
  • • Outlook for Mac: Rollout of this change for Mac starts in mid-July and completes in the weeks following.
  • • Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote (Web, Mac, Windows): Rollout of this change starts in mid-August and completes in the weeks following.
    • Windows: Current Channel rollout will start in mid-August. Monthly Enterprise Channel rollout will be included as part of Patch Tuesday in September.
    • Mobile (Word/PowerPoint) / iPad (all) rollout will start no earlier than mid-August.

[What you need to do to prepare:]

No admin action is required. However, if your Pin Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat admin setting is configured to “Do not pin,” you should adjust it to “Pin” if you want your users without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license to access Copilot Chat in their Microsoft 365 apps.

Learn more about pinning and managing Copilot Chat: Manage Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat | Microsoft Learn.

[Compliance considerations:]

  • Does the change alter how existing customer data is processed, stored, or accessed? No.
  • Does the change introduce or significantly modify AI/ML or agent capabilities that interact with or provide access to customer data? No. 
  • Does the change provide a new way of communicating between users, tenants, or subscriptions? No. 
  • Does the change provide end users any new way of interacting with generative AI? No.
July 31, 2025 at 8:30 PM Updated
Summary
Previous
Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat is being extended to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote with a delayed rollout to mid-August for some apps. It respects users' last chat state and is available to licensed users and those with pinning enabled. No admin action is required unless changing pin settings.
New
Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat is being extended to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote with a delayed rollout to mid-August for some apps. It respects the user's last state and is available for licensed users and those with pinning enabled. No admin action is needed unless adjusting pin settings.
Last Updated Date
Previous
2025-07-29T17:22:08.303Z
New
2025-07-31T19:29:16.073Z
Body Content
Previous

Updated July 29, 2025, Update: The rollout for Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote has been delayed to mid-August. The original timing has been updated in the original message. Additionally, Copilot Chat in the apps will respect the most recent user state (open or closed) when opening a file. 

We’re excited to announce that we are making Copilot Chat available as a side-by-side experience in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote to help users access AI in their flow of work.

Copilot Chat in Word (Windows desktop) for users without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license. UI elements subject to change.

Users can open Copilot Chat from the app ribbon. Copilot Chat in the apps will respect the most recent user state (open or closed) when opening a file.  

Reference image of the Copilot settings menu in Word (Windows desktop). UI elements subject to change.

Copilot Chat will be available in these apps for users with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license, and for users without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license who have pinning enabled. We will update the text of the Pin Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat admin setting to reflect its expanded scope across Microsoft 365 apps.

Pin Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat in the Microsoft 365 admin center: Existing setting with updated language

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 494830

[When this will happen:]

General Availability:

  • • Outlook for Web, new Outlook for Windows, and classic Outlook for Windows: Rollout of this change starts in late June and completes in the weeks following.
  • • Outlook for Mac: Rollout of this change for Mac starts in mid-July and completes in the weeks following.
  • • Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote (Web, Mac, Windows): Rollout of this change starts in mid-August and completes in the weeks following.
    • Windows: Current Channel rollout will start in mid-August. Monthly Enterprise Channel rollout will be included as part of Patch Tuesday in September.
    • Mobile (Word/PowerPoint) / iPad (all) rollout will start no earlier than mid-August.

[What you need to do to prepare:]

No admin action is required. However, if your Pin Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat admin setting is configured to “Do not pin,” you should adjust it to “Pin” if you want your users without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license to access Copilot Chat in their Microsoft 365 apps.

Learn more about pinning and managing Copilot Chat: Manage Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat | Microsoft Learn.

[Compliance considerations:]

  • Does the change alter how existing customer data is processed, stored, or accessed? No.
  • Does the change introduce or significantly modify AI/ML or agent capabilities that interact with or provide access to customer data? No. 
  • Does the change provide a new way of communicating between users, tenants, or subscriptions? No. 
  • Does the change provide end users any new way of interacting with generative AI? No.
New

Updated July 29, 2025, Update: The rollout for Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote has been delayed to mid-August. The original timing has been updated in the original message. Additionally, Copilot Chat in the apps will respect the most recent user state (open or closed) when opening a file. 

We’re excited to announce that we are making Copilot Chat available as a side-by-side experience in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote to help users access AI in their flow of work.

Copilot Chat in Word (Windows desktop) for users without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license. UI elements subject to change.

Users can open Copilot Chat from the app ribbon. Copilot Chat in the apps will respect the most recent user state (open or closed) when opening a file.  

Copilot Chat will be available in these apps for users with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license, and for users without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license who have pinning enabled. We will update the text of the Pin Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat admin setting to reflect its expanded scope across Microsoft 365 apps.

Pin Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat in the Microsoft 365 admin center: Existing setting with updated language

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 494830

[When this will happen:]

General Availability:

  • • Outlook for Web, new Outlook for Windows, and classic Outlook for Windows: Rollout of this change starts in late June and completes in the weeks following.
  • • Outlook for Mac: Rollout of this change for Mac starts in mid-July and completes in the weeks following.
  • • Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote (Web, Mac, Windows): Rollout of this change starts in mid-August and completes in the weeks following.
    • Windows: Current Channel rollout will start in mid-August. Monthly Enterprise Channel rollout will be included as part of Patch Tuesday in September.
    • Mobile (Word/PowerPoint) / iPad (all) rollout will start no earlier than mid-August.

[What you need to do to prepare:]

No admin action is required. However, if your Pin Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat admin setting is configured to “Do not pin,” you should adjust it to “Pin” if you want your users without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license to access Copilot Chat in their Microsoft 365 apps.

Learn more about pinning and managing Copilot Chat: Manage Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat | Microsoft Learn.

[Compliance considerations:]

  • Does the change alter how existing customer data is processed, stored, or accessed? No.
  • Does the change introduce or significantly modify AI/ML or agent capabilities that interact with or provide access to customer data? No. 
  • Does the change provide a new way of communicating between users, tenants, or subscriptions? No. 
  • Does the change provide end users any new way of interacting with generative AI? No.
July 29, 2025 at 6:30 PM Updated
Summary
Previous
Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat rollout for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote has been delayed. It will be available in Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote for users with and without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license. Admins should adjust settings to "Pin" for non-licensed users to access Copilot Chat.
New
Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat is being extended to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote with a delayed rollout to mid-August for some apps. It respects users' last chat state and is available to licensed users and those with pinning enabled. No admin action is required unless changing pin settings.
Last Updated Date
Previous
2025-07-11T23:03:56.193Z
New
2025-07-29T17:22:08.303Z
Body Content
Previous

Updated July 11, 2025: The rollout for Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote has been delayed. The original timing has been updated in the original message and now includes Windows Current Channel and Monthly Enterprise Channel timing.

We’re excited to announce that we are making Copilot Chat available as a side-by-side experience in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote to help users access AI in their flow of work.

Copilot Chat in Word (Windows desktop) for users without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license. UI elements subject to change.

Copilot Chat will open in the side pane when a user opens a file. Users can manage this behavior through their settings in each app.

Reference image of the Copilot settings menu in Word (Windows desktop). UI elements subject to change.

Copilot Chat will be available in these apps for users with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license, and for users without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license who have pinning enabled. We will update the text of the Pin Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat admin setting to reflect its expanded scope across Microsoft 365 apps.

Pin Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat in the Microsoft 365 admin center: Existing setting with updated language

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 494830

[When this will happen:]

General Availability:

  • • Outlook for Web, new Outlook for Windows, and classic Outlook for Windows: Rollout of this change starts in late June and completes in the weeks following.
  • • Outlook for Mac: Rollout of this change for Mac starts in mid-July and completes in the weeks following.
  • • Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote (Web, Mac, Windows): Rollout of this change starts in late July and completes in the weeks following.
    • Windows: Current Channel rollout will start in late July. Monthly Enterprise Channel rollout will be included as part of Patch Tuesday in September.
    • Mobile (Word/PowerPoint) / iPad (all) rollout will start no earlier than August.

[What you need to do to prepare:]

No admin action is required. However, if your Pin Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat admin setting is configured to “Do not pin,” you should adjust it to “Pin” if you want your users without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license to access Copilot Chat in their Microsoft 365 apps.

Learn more about pinning and managing Copilot Chat: Manage Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat | Microsoft Learn.

[Compliance considerations:]

  • Does the change alter how existing customer data is processed, stored, or accessed? No.
  • Does the change introduce or significantly modify AI/ML or agent capabilities that interact with or provide access to customer data? No. 
  • Does the change provide a new way of communicating between users, tenants, or subscriptions? No. 
  • Does the change provide end users any new way of interacting with generative AI? No.
New

Updated July 29, 2025, Update: The rollout for Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote has been delayed to mid-August. The original timing has been updated in the original message. Additionally, Copilot Chat in the apps will respect the most recent user state (open or closed) when opening a file. 

We’re excited to announce that we are making Copilot Chat available as a side-by-side experience in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote to help users access AI in their flow of work.

Copilot Chat in Word (Windows desktop) for users without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license. UI elements subject to change.

Users can open Copilot Chat from the app ribbon. Copilot Chat in the apps will respect the most recent user state (open or closed) when opening a file.  

Reference image of the Copilot settings menu in Word (Windows desktop). UI elements subject to change.

Copilot Chat will be available in these apps for users with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license, and for users without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license who have pinning enabled. We will update the text of the Pin Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat admin setting to reflect its expanded scope across Microsoft 365 apps.

Pin Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat in the Microsoft 365 admin center: Existing setting with updated language

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 494830

[When this will happen:]

General Availability:

  • • Outlook for Web, new Outlook for Windows, and classic Outlook for Windows: Rollout of this change starts in late June and completes in the weeks following.
  • • Outlook for Mac: Rollout of this change for Mac starts in mid-July and completes in the weeks following.
  • • Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote (Web, Mac, Windows): Rollout of this change starts in mid-August and completes in the weeks following.
    • Windows: Current Channel rollout will start in mid-August. Monthly Enterprise Channel rollout will be included as part of Patch Tuesday in September.
    • Mobile (Word/PowerPoint) / iPad (all) rollout will start no earlier than mid-August.

[What you need to do to prepare:]

No admin action is required. However, if your Pin Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat admin setting is configured to “Do not pin,” you should adjust it to “Pin” if you want your users without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license to access Copilot Chat in their Microsoft 365 apps.

Learn more about pinning and managing Copilot Chat: Manage Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat | Microsoft Learn.

[Compliance considerations:]

  • Does the change alter how existing customer data is processed, stored, or accessed? No.
  • Does the change introduce or significantly modify AI/ML or agent capabilities that interact with or provide access to customer data? No. 
  • Does the change provide a new way of communicating between users, tenants, or subscriptions? No. 
  • Does the change provide end users any new way of interacting with generative AI? No.

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