MC1116511 - Microsoft 365 Copilot | Chat now supports new file types in search grounding

Service

Microsoft 365 suite

Last Updated

Jul 23, 2025

Published Jul 16, 2025

Tag

Updated message
New feature
User impact

Platforms

Desktop
Web

Summary

Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat will support new file types like CAD, ZIP, and MP4 for search grounding, enhancing response relevance. The rollout begins late August 2025, completing by mid-September. No user interface changes; feature is on by default and requires eligible Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat licenses.

More information

Updated July 23, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.

Introduction

We’re expanding the file types supported in Copilot Chat to align with the Microsoft Search experience. This enhancement allows users to ground their questions in a broader range of content types, improving the relevance and accuracy of Copilot responses.

This message is associated with Roadmap ID 492268.

When this will happen

General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out in late August 2025 (previously late July) and expect to complete by mid-September 2025 (previously mid-August).

How this will affect your organization

Users will be able to ask Copilot questions about additional file types, including CAD, ZIP, and MP4. This update enhances Copilot’s ability to retrieve and reason over content from a wider variety of files, improving productivity and search flexibility.

There are no changes to the user experience with this update — the feature enhancement is entirely on the back end and will not alter the Copilot interface or behavior for users.

This feature will be on by default.

What you need to do to prepare

No action is required at this time. However, to take advantage of this feature, users must be licensed for Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat. Eligible licenses include:

  • Microsoft 365 A1/A3/A5 (including MA3/MA5 for students and faculty)
  • Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Standard, and Premium
  • Microsoft 365 E3/E5
  • Microsoft 365 F1/F3
  • Microsoft Teams (all SKUs including Enterprise, Essentials, and Rooms)
  • Office 365 A1/A1 Plus/A3/A5
  • Office 365 E1/E1 Plus/E3/E5
  • Office 365 F3

Note: Versions labeled "(no Teams)" and "EEA (no Teams)" are also supported.

Learn more: 

Compliance considerations

  • Does the change alter how existing customer data is processed, stored, or accessed? - Yes. Additional file types are now accessed for grounding Copilot responses.
  • Does the change introduce or significantly modify AI/ML or agent capabilities that interact with or provide access to customer data? - Yes. Copilot’s grounding capabilities are extended to more file types.
  • Does the change provide users any new way of interacting with generative AI? - Yes. Users can now query Copilot using content from more file types.