Short Version
Microsoft is introducing new capabilities for unlicensed Copilot Chat users across Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and Word. Due early January to late March 2026.
Details
Changes include:
Microsoft will expand Copilot Chat in Outlook to reason over your entire inbox, calendar, meetings, and other enterprise data. You will be able to ask Copilot to source information across emails, uncover action items, and manage your calendar.
Agent Mode will be available in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, accessible through the Tools menu in the Copilot Chat input box. It will help you create and refine content using web data and referenced files, without accessing work data.
Use Word, Excel, and PowerPoint Agents in Copilot Chat to create high-quality documents, workbooks, and presentations using web data and referenced files. You will access these agents from the Tools menu in the input box or by typing “@” and selecting the agents.
Microsoft states that additional documentation will be provided closer to the rollout.
Availability
Due early January to late March 2026.
Source, related links, and references
MC1187671.
Image(s): Microsoft.
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1st December 2025, and kept up to date.
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