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Metadata at May 1, 2026

Message ID

MC1297982

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Published

May 1, 2026

Service

Microsoft 365 suite
Microsoft 365 apps

Tag

Feature update
User impact
Admin impact
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MC1297982 - Use sensitivity labels to block all connected experiences that analyze content in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

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What changed since this version

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Updated June 3, 2026: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience. 

Introduction

Microsoft is updating an existing sensitivity label setting that controls whether certain connected experiences can analyze file content. This change extends support of this label setting to additional platforms and extends coverage of the label setting to include all connected experiences that analyze content in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, rather than a subset of these experiences.

When this will happen

  • Public Preview: We will begin rolling out in mid-May 2026 and expect to complete by mid-June 2026 (previously late May 2026May).
  • General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCC High, DoD): We will begin rolling out in early mid-June 2026 (previously early June) and expect to complete by late June 2026.

How this affects your organization

Who is affected

  • Organizations using Microsoft Purview sensitivity labels in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
  • Users opening files that have a sensitivity label configured with “Prevent some connected experiences that analyze content”

What will happen

  • Files with this label setting will not be sent to any Microsoft connected experiences for content analysis.
  • Previously, this label setting blocked only a subset of connected experiences; enforcement is now expanded in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
  • This change applies automatically to existing labels configured with this setting.
  • There is no change to label configuration, and the behavior is enforced by default once the feature rolls out.

What you can do to prepare

No action is required if your organization already uses sensitivity labels.

Optional recommended steps:

  • Review sensitivity labels that use the “Prevent some connected experiences that analyze content” setting to confirm they align with your organization’s data handling expectations.
  • Inform compliance and helpdesk teams that labeled files may no longer interact with connected experiences that analyze content in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
  • Update internal documentation if you describe how sensitivity labels affect Office app functionality.

Compliance considerations

QuestionAnswer
Does the change alter how existing customer data is processed, stored, or accessed?Yes. Files with applicable sensitivity labels are now fully blocked from being sent to Microsoft connected experiences for analysis, expanding enforcement beyond a subset of experiences.
Does the change modify Information Protection labels or their enforcement?Yes. Existing sensitivity label settings now enforce broader blocking behavior across all connected experiences that analyze content.
Does the change introduce or modify AI/ML capabilities that interact with customer data?Yes. The change restricts how labeled content can be analyzed by Microsoft connected experiences, including AI‑powered analysis.

Snapshot from May 1, 2026

Introduction

Microsoft is updating an existing sensitivity label setting that controls whether certain connected experiences can analyze file content. This change extends support of this label setting to additional platforms and extends coverage of the label setting to include all connected experiences that analyze content in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, rather than a subset of these experiences.

When this will happen

  • Public Preview: We will begin rolling out in mid-May 2026 and expect to complete by late May 2026.
  • General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCC High, DoD): We will begin rolling out in early June 2026 and expect to complete by late June 2026.

How this affects your organization

Who is affected

  • Organizations using Microsoft Purview sensitivity labels in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
  • Users opening files that have a sensitivity label configured with “Prevent some connected experiences that analyze content”

What will happen

  • Files with this label setting will not be sent to any Microsoft connected experiences for content analysis.
  • Previously, this label setting blocked only a subset of connected experiences; enforcement is now expanded in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
  • This change applies automatically to existing labels configured with this setting.
  • There is no change to label configuration, and the behavior is enforced by default once the feature rolls out.

What you can do to prepare

No action is required if your organization already uses sensitivity labels.

Optional recommended steps:

  • Review sensitivity labels that use the “Prevent some connected experiences that analyze content” setting to confirm they align with your organization’s data handling expectations.
  • Inform compliance and helpdesk teams that labeled files may no longer interact with connected experiences that analyze content in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
  • Update internal documentation if you describe how sensitivity labels affect Office app functionality.

Compliance considerations

QuestionAnswer
Does the change alter how existing customer data is processed, stored, or accessed?Yes. Files with applicable sensitivity labels are now fully blocked from being sent to Microsoft connected experiences for analysis, expanding enforcement beyond a subset of experiences.
Does the change modify Information Protection labels or their enforcement?Yes. Existing sensitivity label settings now enforce broader blocking behavior across all connected experiences that analyze content.
Does the change introduce or modify AI/ML capabilities that interact with customer data?Yes. The change restricts how labeled content can be analyzed by Microsoft connected experiences, including AI‑powered analysis.