MC1184413 – (Updated) Microsoft 365 Copilot for Android: Preview and chat with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files in the Copilot app

Product:

Copilot, Copilot Chat, Entra, Microsoft 365 Apps, Microsoft 365 Copilot, OneDrive, Outlook, SharePoint, Teams

Platform:

Android, Online, World tenant

Status:

Rolling out

Change type:

Admin impact, New feature, Updated message, User impact

Links:

518290

Details:

Summary:
Microsoft 365 Copilot for Android now allows previewing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files with Copilot Chat, but editing requires switching to standalone apps. Offline access and advanced file management move to standalone apps. Tenant admins should prepare by deploying these apps and updating user communications.

Details:
Updated January 9, 2026: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction]
We're introducing a new preview experience in the Microsoft 365 Copilot app for Android that allows users to open Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files and interact with them using Copilot Chat. For editing actions, the Microsoft 365 Copilot app will transition to the fully featured standalone Word, Excel, or PowerPoint apps. This change positions Microsoft 365 Copilot as your AI-first productivity assistant, bringing together activity across Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and other Microsoft 365 apps.
This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 518290.
[When this will happen]
Mid-November 2025: Users may begin seeing prompts to install the standalone Word, Excel, or PowerPoint apps when attempting to edit those file types in Copilot.
Mid-December 2025 - End of January 2026: Previewer experience rollout begins and is expected to complete by end of January 2026 (previously mid-January).

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability

Created:
2025-11-10

updated:
2026-01-10

Task Type

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Docu to Check

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MS How does it affect me

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MS Preperations

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MS Urgency

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MS workload name

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linked item details

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summary for non-techies**

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Direct effects for Operations**

Editing Limitations
Users will be unable to edit Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files directly in the Copilot app, requiring them to switch to standalone apps, which may disrupt workflow and productivity.
   - roles: End Users, Tenant Admins
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=518290

Offline Access Removal
The removal of offline access for file editing in the Copilot app will hinder users' ability to work without an internet connection, impacting productivity in remote or low-connectivity environments.
   - roles: End Users, Tenant Admins
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=518290

File Management Changes
Advanced file management capabilities will be removed from the Copilot app, requiring users to switch to the standalone OneDrive app, which may lead to confusion and inefficiencies.
   - roles: End Users, Tenant Admins
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=518290

Configutation Options**

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Opportunities**

Enhanced User Experience with Copilot Chat
The integration of Copilot Chat allows users to interact with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files seamlessly. This can enhance user productivity by providing instant insights and summaries without needing to open multiple applications. The chat interface can simplify complex tasks, making it easier for users to extract information and make decisions quickly.
   - next-steps: Encourage users to adopt the Copilot Chat feature through training sessions and create a feedback loop to understand user experience. Gather data on usage to identify areas for further improvement.
   - roles: End Users, Product Managers, Training Coordinators
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=518290

Streamlined Document Management
By transitioning to standalone apps for editing, organizations can centralize document management within the Word, Excel, and PowerPoint apps. This separation can improve performance and security, as these apps are designed specifically for document editing, thus reducing the risk of data loss or corruption during edits.
   - next-steps: Implement a communication plan to inform users about the changes and provide resources for installing the standalone apps. Monitor the transition and provide support for any issues that arise during the switch.
   - roles: IT Administrators, Compliance Officers, User Support Teams
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=518290

Improved Compliance and Security Management
The shift to standalone apps allows for better compliance management as organizations can leverage built-in security features of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, ensuring sensitive data is handled appropriately. This is crucial for industries with strict regulatory requirements.
   - next-steps: Review and update compliance policies to align with the new app structure. Conduct training sessions for compliance teams on the security features of the standalone apps and how they can be leveraged for better data protection.
   - roles: Compliance Officers, Security Administrators, IT Managers
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=518290

Potentional Risks**

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IT Security**

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explanation for non-techies**

Imagine you have a Swiss Army knife, which is incredibly handy for quick tasks like opening a bottle or cutting a string. However, when you need to do something more specialized, like carving a detailed sculpture or opening a can, you might need to switch to a dedicated tool like a carving knife or a can opener. This is similar to the changes happening with Microsoft 365 Copilot for Android.

Microsoft 365 Copilot is like that Swiss Army knife. It allows you to preview and interact with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files on your Android device using Copilot Chat. This feature lets you ask questions and get summaries about your documents, much like having a quick conversation with a knowledgeable assistant. However, if you want to make changes to these documents, you'll need to switch to the standalone Word, Excel, or PowerPoint apps, which are like those specialized tools. These apps are designed for more in-depth editing and management of your files.

For those responsible for managing these tools, like tenant admins, it's important to ensure that users have access to these standalone apps. This means planning the deployment of these apps and updating user communications to explain the new workflow. Users will need to understand that while they can still view and interact with files in Copilot, editing will require a switch to the standalone apps.

Additionally, some features like offline access and advanced file management will also move to these standalone apps. This means that for tasks like making files available offline or managing files in OneDrive, users will need to use the dedicated apps for those purposes.

In summary, Microsoft 365 Copilot on Android is becoming more focused on providing quick insights and previews, while the standalone apps will handle the more detailed editing and management tasks. This change aims to streamline how users interact with their documents, ensuring they have the right tool for the right job.