Short Version
The Researcher agent (for complex, multi-step research across work and web data) will soon be available in Word. Now due 8th September to 6th October 2025.

Details
Microsoft are adding the Researcher agent in Microsoft. If you are unfamiliar with the Researcher agent, in a nutshell, it “combines OpenAI’s deep research model with Copilot’s orchestration and search capabilities to help users conduct complex, multi-step research across work and web data*”.

Assuming you have a M365 Copilot license, the Researcher agent will appear in the Copilot prompt box in Word (2):


Availability
Due on web and  Mac mid to late July 2025.
Due on Windows late July to mid-August 2025.

Now due on Word for Windows, web, and Mac: 18th August to 1st September 2025.
Now due from 8th September to 6th October 2025.

Source, related links, and references
MC1111176.
Image(s): Microsoft.
*Microsoft.
Introducing Researcher and Analyst in Microsoft 365 Copilot | Microsoft 365 Blog.
Get started with Researcher in Microsoft 365 Copilot – Microsoft Support.

Page originally published
9th July 2025 and kept up to date.


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