check before: 2026-04-01
Product:
Copilot, Microsoft 365 Apps, Microsoft 365 Copilot
Platform:
Online, World tenant
Status:
Change type:
Admin impact, New feature, Updated message, User impact
Links:
Details:
Summary:
The rollout of the updated Microsoft 365 Copilot feature in Excel, allowing access to additional agents via the "…" menu, is paused. Users can still use chat-only Copilot without changes. No admin action is needed; inform support teams and update documentation accordingly.
Details:
Updated May 1, 2026: We have paused rollout of this feature at this time. We will communicate via Message center when we are ready to proceed. We apologize for any inconvenience.
[Introduction]
We are updating the Chat-only Copilot experience in Excel to better align with the editing experience. As part of this update, users who want to access additional Copilot agents (such as Researcher or Analyst) can do so by selecting the "..." menu in the header and choosing M365 Copilot.
[When this will happen]
General Availability (Worldwide): We will communicate via Message center when we are ready to proceed.
Change Category:
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
Scope:
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
Release Phase:
Created:
2026-04-22
updated:
2026-05-02
Task Type
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
Docu to Check
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
MS How does it affect me
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
MS Preperations
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
MS Urgency
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
MS workload name
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
Pictures
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
summary for non-techies**
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
Direct effects for Operations**
Access to Additional Copilot Agents
Users will be unable to access additional Copilot agents (Researcher, Analyst) through the updated menu, limiting their ability to leverage advanced features for data analysis and insights.
- roles: Excel Users, Support Teams
- references: https://support.microsoft.com/office/edit-with-copilot-in-excel-a2fd6fe4-97ac-416b-b89a-22f4d1357c7a
User Experience with Chat-only Copilot
While users can still use the chat-only Copilot, the lack of access to additional agents may lead to frustration and reduced productivity as they cannot utilize the full capabilities of the Copilot feature.
- roles: Excel Users, Support Teams
- references: https://support.microsoft.com/office/edit-with-copilot-in-excel-a2fd6fe4-97ac-416b-b89a-22f4d1357c7a
Configutation Options**
XXXXXXX ... paid membership only
explanation for non-techies**
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
** AI generated content. This information must be reviewed before use.
a free basic plan is required to see more details. Sign up here
A cloudsocut.one plan is required to see all the changed details. If you are already a customer, choose login.
If you are new to cloudscout.one please choose a plan.
change history
| Date | Property | old | new |
| 2026-05-02 | MC MessageTagNames | New feature, User impact, Admin impact | Updated message, New feature, User impact, Admin impact |
| 2026-05-02 | MC Summary | Starting late April 2026, Excel users with Microsoft 365 Copilot licenses can access additional Copilot agents via the "…" menu in the header. The chat-only experience remains unchanged, no admin action is needed, and existing licensing and policies continue to apply. | The rollout of the updated Microsoft 365 Copilot feature in Excel, allowing access to additional agents via the "…" menu, is paused. Users can still use chat-only Copilot without changes. No admin action is needed; inform support teams and update documentation accordingly. |
| 2026-05-02 | MC Last Updated | 04/22/2026 00:49:27 | 2026-05-01T20:01:07Z |
| 2026-05-02 | MC Messages | [Introduction]
We are updating the Chat-only Copilot experience in Excel to better align with the editing experience. As part of this update, users who want to access additional Copilot agents (such as Researcher or Analyst) can do so by selecting the "..." menu in the header and choosing M365 Copilot. [When this will happen] General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout starts in late April 2026 and is expected to be complete by late April 2026. | Updated May 1, 2026: We have paused rollout of this feature at this time. We will communicate via Message center when we are ready to proceed. We apologize for any inconvenience.
[Introduction] We are updating the Chat-only Copilot experience in Excel to better align with the editing experience. As part of this update, users who want to access additional Copilot agents (such as Researcher or Analyst) can do so by selecting the "..." menu in the header and choosing M365 Copilot. [When this will happen] General Availability (Worldwide): We will communicate via Message center when we are ready to proceed. |
| 2026-05-02 | MC Title | Microsoft 365 Copilot: Change in accessing additional agents in Excel | (Updated) Microsoft 365 Copilot: Change in accessing additional agents in Excel |
| 2026-05-02 | MC End Time | 05/30/2026 09:00:00 | 2026-07-31T09:00:00Z |
Last updated 2 weeks ago ago
