Starting April 15, 2026, Microsoft will limit inapp Copilot access in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote to users with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license.
Those without a Copilot license will continue to have access to Copilot Chat, formerly known as Microsoft Copilot with Data Protection, which includes:
- Secure AI web chat
- Chatbased agents within the Microsoft 365 Copilot app
- Copilot functionality within Outlook
There are no changes for users who already have a Microsoft 365 Copilot license, and no action is required for those users.
Employees who need full, inapp Copilot functionality in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or OneNote can request a Copilot 365 license through the IT Service Portal, for an annual fee. Approval is required before access can be granted.
For most users, Copilot Chat (Basic) will continue to provide AIpowered assistance for everyday tasks, while licensed users will retain the complete Copilot experience across Microsoft 365 apps.