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MC1194615 Microsoft Excel: Enabling M365 subscribers to use Copilot Chat in locally stored modern workbooks

By: Author Alex Lim

Posted on

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Home » Update » MC1194615 Microsoft Excel: Enabling M365 subscribers to use Copilot Chat in locally stored modern workbooks

Summary

  • Microsoft 365 subscribers can use Copilot Chat with locally stored Excel modern workbooks.
  • This feature is enabled by default without requiring admin action.
  • Workflows for Excel workbooks stored in SharePoint or OneDrive remain unaffected.
  • All Microsoft 365 subscribers using the relevant Excel formats will benefit from this change.
  • No compliance considerations have been identified for this feature.

Admin Impact: Low
User Impact: Low
Release Start: 15 Dec 2025
Release End: 30 Jan 2026
Services: M365 Apps, M365 Copilot Chat
Category: Stay informed
Tags: New Feature, User Adoption, Admin Action

History

12/12/2025 Item Added to Message Center

Microsoft Message

We’re enabling Microsoft 365 subscribers to use Copilot Chat when working in Microsoft Excel modern workbooks (.xlsx, .xlsb, .xlsm, .ods, .xltx, .xltm, and .xlam files) stored locally. This brings parity with workbooks stored in SharePoint or OneDrive, allowing users to query Copilot Chat regardless of storage location.

When this will happen

General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout will begin in mid-December 2025 and is expected to complete in January 2026.

How this affects your organization

Who is affected: All Microsoft 365 subscribers using Excel modern workbooks stored locally.

What will happen:

  • Microsoft 365 subscribers will be able to query Copilot Chat when opening and working in locally stored Excel modern workbooks.
  • This feature is enabled by default; no admin action is required.
  • There is no impact to existing workflows for workbooks stored in SharePoint or OneDrive.

What you can do to prepare

All locally stored Modern Excel workbooks are blocked today from querying Copilot Chat. We are enabling M365 subscribers who open these workbooks and query Copilot Chat. See Manage Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat to manage that chat experience.

Learn more:

  • Manage Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat | Microsoft Learn
  • Overview of Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat | Microsoft Learn

Compliance considerations

No compliance considerations identified. Review as appropriate for your organization.