MC1189000 – Updated UI for Copilot Chat entry point in Word, Excel and PowerPoint apps

Product:

Copilot, Copilot Chat, Microsoft 365 admin center, Microsoft 365 Apps, Microsoft 365 Copilot

Platform:

mobile, Online, Web, Windows Desktop, World tenant

Status:

Change type:

Feature update, User impact, Admin impact

Links:

Details:

Summary:
The Copilot Chat entry point in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint will move from the ribbon to the document canvas starting December 2025. It includes contextual prompt suggestions, remains on by default, and requires no admin action unless adjusting the pinning setting for users without a Copilot license.

Details:
[Introduction]
We're updating the Copilot Chat experience in Microsoft 365 apps by moving the entry point button out of the ribbon and into the document canvas. This change makes Copilot Chat easier to discover and use, and introduces curated, contextual prompt suggestions relevant to the current document or selection.
[When this will happen:]
General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout begins early December 2025 and is expected to complete by late March 2026.
Word, Excel, PowerPoint (Web, Desktop, Mobile): rollout will start for a % of Small Business and Enterprise users without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license who have pinning enabled. These users will see the entry point for Copilot move out of the ribbon, represented by the icon pictured below.
We will continue the rollout progressively for users with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license in the new year.

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:

Created:
2025-11-22

updated:
2025-11-27

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**

User Experience Disruption
Users may struggle to find the new Copilot Chat entry point, leading to confusion and decreased productivity during the transition period.
   - roles: End Users, Productivity Managers
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/copilot/manage, https://learn.microsoft.com/copilot/microsoft-365/pin-copilot-chat-navbar

Training and Adaptation Needs
Users will require training to adapt to the new location of the Copilot Chat feature, which may lead to temporary inefficiencies.
   - roles: End Users, Training Coordinators
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/copilot/manage, https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2310640

Potential Licensing Confusion
Users without a Copilot license may be confused about their access to the new feature, impacting their experience and satisfaction.
   - roles: End Users, IT Support Staff
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/copilot/manage, https://learn.microsoft.com/copilot/microsoft-365/pin-copilot-chat-navbar

Configutation Options**

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Opportunities**

Enhanced User Engagement with Copilot Chat
By moving the Copilot Chat entry point to the document canvas, users will have easier access to contextual prompts that are relevant to their current work. This can significantly enhance user engagement and productivity, as users can receive immediate assistance tailored to their tasks without navigating through the ribbon.
   - next-steps: Conduct user training sessions to familiarize users with the new entry point and how to utilize contextual prompts effectively. Gather user feedback to further refine the experience.
   - roles: End Users, Product Managers, Training Coordinators
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/copilot/manage, https://learn.microsoft.com/copilot/microsoft-365/pin-copilot-chat-navbar

Improved Collaboration Features
The new Copilot Chat interface in the document canvas can facilitate better collaboration among team members by providing real-time suggestions and insights directly within the document context. This encourages teamwork and can lead to higher quality outputs as users can leverage Copilot's capabilities together.
   - next-steps: Promote the use of Copilot Chat in collaborative projects and create guidelines on how to maximize its features during teamwork. Monitor collaborative projects to assess improvements in outcomes.
   - roles: Team Leaders, Project Managers, Collaboration Specialists
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/copilot/manage, https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2310640

Streamlined Admin Management
With the Copilot Chat entry point being on by default, IT admins can focus on other priorities instead of managing the visibility of the feature. This change reduces the administrative overhead associated with user settings and allows for more efficient IT operations.
   - next-steps: Review current admin settings to ensure they align with the new default configuration. Consider automating user settings management to further streamline IT operations.
   - roles: IT Administrators, Operations Managers, Compliance Officers
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/copilot/manage, https://learn.microsoft.com/copilot/microsoft-365/pin-copilot-chat-navbar

Potentional Risks**

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IT Security**

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explanation for non-techies**

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