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

Updated May 11, 2026: We have updated the timeline and content. Thank you for your patience. 

Introduction

We’re updating the Copilot Chat experience in Microsoft 365 apps by movingwith simplified entry points for easier discovery and connection to Copilot in the context of working inside of Word, Excel, PowerPoint. In addition to the simplified UI outlined below, users will also see curated suggestions designed to help them get started with Copilot to edit their documents.

We’re reducing the number of entry points to Copilot in Word, Excel and PowerPoint so Copilot feels consistent, predictable and integrated with in-app workflows.

The new UI includes:

• A Copilot Dynamic Action Button (DAB) at the bottom-right corner of the screen replacing the static button in the ribbon.
  • This is an always-available, in-app Copilot primary entry point.
  • The button allows a user to "dock" or move it to the side when they want to focus on the content.
  • A user can right-click the Copilot button and select Dock or drag the icon to dock to the right of the content (or left of content for right-to-left locales). To re-engage with Copilot, a user simply clicks the smaller icon or drag it back to the canvas.
• A contextual entry point on the canvas appears when a user selects text or takes action on canvas with Copilot.
• Suggested User Actions (SUAs) show on hover from the Copilot Dynamic Action Button to offer contextual prompts that help a user know how to engage with Copilot.
• Keyboard and screen reader access: The ability for to work with Copilot in Microsoft 365 apps when using a keyboard and screen readers has also been simplified.
  • For users who have been using Alt + H, F, X to open the Copilot pane in Word, Excel and PowerPoint, they can now press F6 to give focus to the Copilot button out ofand then use the ribbonup arrow to move between suggested prompts.
  • Over time, Copilot keyboard shortcuts are being unified across Microsoft 365 apps and intoplatforms, bringing consistency and supporting keyboard-first users and anyone using a screen reader.
  • The updated shortcuts listed below are already available in Outlook and Word (Windows and Mac), with other apps coming soon.

When this will happen:

General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout begins early December 2025 and is expected to complete by end of May 2026 (previously late March 2026.March).

• Word, Excel, PowerPoint (Web, Desktop, Mobile): rollout will startstarted for asmall % of Small Business and Enterprise users withoutwith a Microsoft 365 Copilot license who haveand 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.license.

Who is affected:

• Microsoft 365 users of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint across web, desktop, and mobile who are eligible for Copilot Chat.Microsoft 365 Copilot.

What will happen:

• The Copilot Chat entry point will move from the app ribbon into the document canvas.
• Users will see a new Copilot iconbutton in the canvas to open Copilot Chat.

  

  Copilot.
• Contextual prompt suggestions will appear to help users engage with Copilot Chat.Copilot.
• The feature remains ON by default for eligible users across web, mobile, and desktop.
• Admins can still disable Copilot Chat using the “Pin Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat” setting in the admin center.
• No changes to Copilot Chat functionality or value.
  

  

• No admin action is required.
• If your “Pin Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat” setting is configured to “Do not pin,” update it to “Pin” if you want users without a Copilot license to access Copilot Chat in Microsoft 365 apps.
• Learn more:
  • Manage Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat.
  • Pin Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat in the Microsoft 365 apps

No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.