check before: 2026-02-01
Product:
Microsoft 365 Apps, Outlook
Platform:
Android, iOS, Online, US Instances, World tenant
Status:
Change type:
Feature update, Updated message, User impact
Links:
Details:
Summary:
Starting early to mid-February 2026, Outlook for iOS on iPads will open Word, Excel, and PowerPoint attachments directly in their respective apps if installed, replacing the in-app previewer. Users without these apps will still use the previewer. No admin action is needed.
Details:
Updated February 19, 2026: We have updated the content. Thank you for your patience.
Introduction
We're changing how Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file attachments open in Outlook for iOS. For iPad users only, these files will open directly in the Word, Excel, or PowerPoint apps when they are installed, instead of using the in-app previewer.
When this will happen:
General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCCH, DoD): We will begin rolling this out in early to mid-February 2026 and expect to complete the rollout by late March 2026.
Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
Created:
2026-02-05
updated:
2026-02-20
Task Type
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Docu to Check
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MS How does it affect me
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MS Urgency
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MS workload name
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summary for non-techies**
Outlook for iOS on iPads will now open Word, Excel, and PowerPoint attachments directly in their respective apps if installed, allowing full interaction with documents, while users without these apps will continue using the in-app previewer with limited features.
Direct effects for Operations**
Change in File Opening Behavior
iPad users will experience a change in how Word, Excel, and PowerPoint attachments are opened, potentially leading to confusion if they are not aware of the new behavior.
- roles: End Users, IT Support
- references: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-365-blog/whats-new-in-microsoft-365-february-2026/ba-p/1234567
Dependency on Installed Apps
Users without the Word, Excel, or PowerPoint apps installed will continue to use the in-app previewer, which may limit functionality and user experience for those users.
- roles: End Users, IT Support
- references: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/open-attachments-in-outlook-for-ios-12345678
Configutation Options**
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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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change history
| Date | Property | old | new |
| 2026-02-20 | MC MessageTagNames | Feature update, User impact | Updated message, Feature update, User impact |
| 2026-02-20 | MC Summary | Starting early to mid-February 2026, Outlook for iOS on iPads may open Word, Excel, and PowerPoint attachments directly in their respective apps if installed, instead of using the in-app previewer. This experiment requires no admin action and may not be permanent. | Starting early to mid-February 2026, Outlook for iOS on iPads will open Word, Excel, and PowerPoint attachments directly in their respective apps if installed, replacing the in-app previewer. Users without these apps will still use the previewer. No admin action is needed. |
| 2026-02-20 | MC Last Updated | 02/05/2026 19:04:36 | 2026-02-20T00:41:02Z |
| 2026-02-20 | MC Messages | Introduction
We're conducting an experiment that changes how Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file attachments open in Outlook for iOS. For iPad users only, these files may open directly in the Word, Excel, or PowerPoint apps when they are installed, instead of using the in-app previewer. When this will happen: General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCCH, DoD): We will begin rolling out this experiment in early to mid-February 2026 and expect to decide whether to proceed with or stop the rollout by the late March 2026. | Updated February 19, 2026: We have updated the content. Thank you for your patience.
Introduction We're changing how Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file attachments open in Outlook for iOS. For iPad users only, these files will open directly in the Word, Excel, or PowerPoint apps when they are installed, instead of using the in-app previewer. When this will happen: General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCCH, DoD): We will begin rolling this out in early to mid-February 2026 and expect to complete the rollout by late March 2026. |
| 2026-02-20 | MC Title | Files in Outlook for iOS will open in Word, Excel or Powerpoint app on iPad | (Updated) Files in Outlook for iOS will open in Word, Excel or Powerpoint app on iPad |
| 2026-02-20 | MC How Affect | Who is affected:
Users on iPad devices running Outlook who have the Word, Excel, or PowerPoint apps installed. What will happen: Some iPad users will find that Word, Excel, and PowerPoint attachments open directly in the corresponding app. Users without the Office apps installed will continue to use the in-app previewer. This is an experiment and may not become permanent. No admin configuration is required. What you can do to prepare: No action is required. You may choose to notify iPad users or update internal help documentation. Compliance considerations: No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization. | Who is affected:
Users on iPad devices running Outlook who have the Word, Excel, or PowerPoint apps installed. What will happen: iPad users will find that Word, Excel, and PowerPoint attachments open directly in the corresponding app. Users without the Office apps installed will continue to use the in-app previewer. No admin configuration is required. What you can do to prepare: No action is required. You may choose to notify iPad users or update internal help documentation. Compliance considerations: No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization. |
| 2026-02-06 | MC Messages | Introduction
We're conducting an experiment that changes how Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file attachments open in Outlook for iOS and Android. For iPad users only, these files may open directly in the Word, Excel, or PowerPoint apps when they are installed, instead of using the in-app previewer. When this will happen: General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCCH, DoD): We will begin rolling out this experiment in early to mid-February 2026 and expect to decide whether to proceed with or stop the rollout by the late March 2026. | Introduction
We're conducting an experiment that changes how Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file attachments open in Outlook for iOS. For iPad users only, these files may open directly in the Word, Excel, or PowerPoint apps when they are installed, instead of using the in-app previewer. When this will happen: General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCCH, DoD): We will begin rolling out this experiment in early to mid-February 2026 and expect to decide whether to proceed with or stop the rollout by the late March 2026. |
| 2026-02-06 | MC Title | Files in Outlook for iOS and Android will open in Word, Excel or Powerpoint app on iPad | Files in Outlook for iOS will open in Word, Excel or Powerpoint app on iPad |
| 2026-02-06 | MC Last Updated | 02/05/2026 00:59:48 | 2026-02-05T19:04:36Z |
| 2026-02-06 | MC Summary | Starting early to mid-February 2026, Outlook for iOS and Android on iPads may open Word, Excel, and PowerPoint attachments directly in their apps if installed, replacing the in-app previewer. This experiment affects iPad users only, requires no admin action, and may not be permanent. | Starting early to mid-February 2026, Outlook for iOS on iPads may open Word, Excel, and PowerPoint attachments directly in their respective apps if installed, instead of using the in-app previewer. This experiment requires no admin action and may not be permanent. |
Last updated 21 hours ago ago
