check before: 2025-12-01
Product:
Copilot, Microsoft 365 Apps, Microsoft 365 Copilot
Platform:
Online, World tenant
Status:
Change type:
User impact, Retirement
Links:
Details:
Summary:
App Skills in Excel will be retired starting December 2025, replaced by Agent Mode in Excel for a streamlined experience. All Microsoft 365 Copilot Excel users will lose App Skills access. No admin action is needed; users should explore Agent Mode and update documentation accordingly.
Details:
[Introduction]
As part of ongoing improvements to the Microsoft 365 Copilot experience, App Skills in Excel will be retired. Capabilities previously accessed through App Skills are being consolidated into Agent Mode in Excel, offering a more streamlined and integrated way to perform tasks directly on the grid. This change simplifies the user experience and aligns with our goal of delivering consistent, intelligent assistance across Excel.
Screenshot 1: App Skills option will be removed
[When this will happen:]
General Availability (Worldwide):
Rollout will begin in early December 2025 and is expected to complete by late February 2026.
Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
Created:
2025-11-10
updated:
2025-11-10
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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Pictures
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summary for non-techies**
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Direct effects for Operations**
Loss of App Skills functionality
Users will lose access to App Skills in Excel, which may disrupt their workflow and productivity as they adapt to the new Agent Mode.
- roles: Excel Users, Data Analysts
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2023/10/01/whats-new-in-microsoft-365-copilot-october-2023/
User adaptation to Agent Mode
Users will need to learn and adapt to the new Agent Mode, which may lead to a temporary decrease in efficiency and increased support requests during the transition period.
- roles: Excel Users, Helpdesk Staff
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2023/10/01/whats-new-in-microsoft-365-copilot-october-2023/
Documentation updates required
Internal documentation referencing App Skills will need to be updated, which may lead to confusion if not done promptly, impacting user experience.
- roles: Technical Writers, IT Support Staff
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2023/10/01/whats-new-in-microsoft-365-copilot-october-2023/
Increased support tickets
The transition from App Skills to Agent Mode may result in an increase in support tickets as users encounter issues or have questions about the new features.
- roles: Helpdesk Staff, IT Support Staff
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2023/10/01/whats-new-in-microsoft-365-copilot-october-2023/
Potential for user frustration
Users may experience frustration due to the sudden removal of familiar features, leading to a negative impact on user satisfaction and morale.
- roles: Excel Users, Team Leaders
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2023/10/01/whats-new-in-microsoft-365-copilot-october-2023/
Configutation Options**
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Potentional Risks**
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IT Security**
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explanation for non-techies**
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** AI generated content. This information must be reviewed before use.
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Last updated 3 weeks ago ago
