Short Version
Copilot is moving from a separate assistant into the Outlook compose experience itself. Instead of switching to a chat window, you’ll be able to create, refine, and edit email content in real time, right inside the message you’re writing. Due mid-July to early August 2026.
Details
You’ve always been able to ask Copilot for help with an email, but this update changes where that help happens. Rather than working in a separate chat and copying results across or applying the edits, you’ll see a Copilot side-by-side drafting experience that sits alongside your message, so edits happen in real time inside the email itself.
There are two ways to start. Select the Copilot icon in the toolbar above a blank email and choose Draft to open the Copilot box, then type your own prompt or pick one of the suggested prompts. Alternatively, select Help me write or Help me reply in the message area to open Copilot Chat, where you can ask for a draft, and Copilot may ask clarifying questions before adding one to your message.
Once Copilot generates a draft, you can adjust the length or tone, ask it to try again, or enter a new prompt. You can also select any text within your draft and use Copilot to refine, expand, or rewrite just that selection (1), rather than the whole message, all without leaving the email you’re composing.
One practical thing to know: this doesn’t support messages composed in plain text. If your emails default to plain text, you’ll need to switch to HTML under Settings > Mail > Compose and reply first.
The feature is available in Outlook on the web, New Outlook for Windows, and Outlook mobile. Outlook for Mac support follows after the initial rollout, and Classic Outlook for Windows is planned later in 2026. You’ll need a Microsoft 365 Copilot licence to use it.
Availability
Due mid-July to early August 2026.
Source, related links and references
MC1430542.
Images: Microsoft.
Roadmap ID 564605.
Learn more: Draft an email message with Copilot in Outlook (Microsoft).
See what else is new for Outlook.
Page originally published
17th July 2026.
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