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(Updated) Open PDFs within Copilot

Message ID
MC1223823
View in Message Center
Service
Microsoft Copilot (Microsoft 365)
Category
Stay Informed
Tags
New featureUser impact
Rollout
April 2026May 2026

Summary

Starting mid-April 2026, Microsoft 365 Copilot will open PDFs directly within its interface, improving user experience. This feature is enabled by default for all licensed users, requires no admin changes, and maintains existing Purview policies. No action is needed, but support teams can be notified.

Details

Updated April 23, 2026: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience. 

Introduction

Microsoft is improving the reading and review experience in Microsoft 365 Copilot by enabling PDFs to open directly within Copilot when users click them. This update streamlines content access and reduces context switching based on customer feedback.

When this will happen:

General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout will begin in mid-April 2026 (previously mid-February) and is expected to complete by early May 2026 (previously late February).

How this affects your organization:

   Who is affected:

  • All Microsoft 365 users who interact with PDFs in Microsoft 365 Copilot.
  • A Microsoft 365 Copilot license is required to use this feature.

   What will happen:

  • Users who click a PDF inside Copilot will have it open directly within the Copilot interface.
  • The feature is enabled by default for all tenants.
  • No admin configuration changes are required.
  • Existing Purview policies for PDFs continue to apply.

What you can do to prepare:

  • No action is required from administrators.
  • Optionally notify helpdesk/support teams of the updated PDF experience.
  • Update internal documentation if it describes Copilot PDF behavior.

Compliance considerations:

No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.

Change History

Show
April 23, 2026 at 8:31 PM Updated
Title
Previous
Open PDFs within Copilot
New
(Updated) Open PDFs within Copilot
Summary
Previous
Starting mid-February 2026, Microsoft 365 Copilot will open PDFs directly within its interface by default, enhancing user experience without requiring admin changes. This applies to all licensed Copilot users, with existing PDF policies remaining in effect. No action is needed, though notifying support teams is optional.
New
Starting mid-April 2026, Microsoft 365 Copilot will open PDFs directly within its interface, improving user experience. This feature is enabled by default for all licensed users, requires no admin changes, and maintains existing Purview policies. No action is needed, but support teams can be notified.
Last Updated Date
Previous
2026-01-29T00:39:56.840Z
New
2026-04-23T17:01:33.943Z
Tags
Previous
New feature,User impact
New
Updated message,New feature,User impact
Body Content
Previous

Introduction

Microsoft is improving the reading and review experience in Microsoft 365 Copilot by enabling PDFs to open directly within Copilot when users click them. This update streamlines content access and reduces context switching based on customer feedback.

When this will happen:

General Availability (Worldwide): rollout will begin in mid-February 2026 and is expected to complete by late February 2026.

How this affects your organization:

   Who is affected:

  • All Microsoft 365 users who interact with PDFs in Microsoft 365 Copilot.
  • A Microsoft 365 Copilot license is required to use this feature.

   What will happen:

  • Users who click a PDF inside Copilot will have it open directly within the Copilot interface.
  • The feature is enabled by default for all tenants.
  • No admin configuration changes are required.
  • Existing Purview policies for PDFs continue to apply.

What you can do to prepare:

  • No action is required from administrators.
  • Optionally notify helpdesk/support teams of the updated PDF experience.
  • Update internal documentation if it describes Copilot PDF behavior.

Compliance considerations:

No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.

New

Updated April 23, 2026: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience. 

Introduction

Microsoft is improving the reading and review experience in Microsoft 365 Copilot by enabling PDFs to open directly within Copilot when users click them. This update streamlines content access and reduces context switching based on customer feedback.

When this will happen:

General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout will begin in mid-April 2026 (previously mid-February) and is expected to complete by early May 2026 (previously late February).

How this affects your organization:

   Who is affected:

  • All Microsoft 365 users who interact with PDFs in Microsoft 365 Copilot.
  • A Microsoft 365 Copilot license is required to use this feature.

   What will happen:

  • Users who click a PDF inside Copilot will have it open directly within the Copilot interface.
  • The feature is enabled by default for all tenants.
  • No admin configuration changes are required.
  • Existing Purview policies for PDFs continue to apply.

What you can do to prepare:

  • No action is required from administrators.
  • Optionally notify helpdesk/support teams of the updated PDF experience.
  • Update internal documentation if it describes Copilot PDF behavior.

Compliance considerations:

No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.

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