Summary
- Microsoft is retiring the legacy CIQ-based “@” entity insertion experience on the Word for the web document canvas.
- Affected users will no longer be able to open the legacy entity insertion menu by typing “@” in a document.
- This retirement does not affect @mentions in comments.
- No replacement experience is being provided, so users will need to use other available insert/search workflows in Word for the web.
- No admin controls are available to delay, disable, or reverse this change.
Microsoft is retiring the legacy CIQ based entity insertion feature invoked by typing the at symbol on the Word for the web canvas. The rollout begins in late October 2026. Comment mentions remain unaffected and no direct administrative controls exist. Administrators should update internal training materials and notify users who rely on this workflow.
Administrator impact: No direct administrator action is required.
End user impact: Users will no longer be able to use the at symbol menu to insert entities directly onto the Word for the web canvas.
Score rationale: This is a minor feature retirement with no administrative configuration required and no impact on comment mentions.
Microsoft is retiring the CIQ-based “@” entity insertion on Word for the web’s document canvas by late October 2026, aligning it with other Microsoft 365 apps. Users cannot invoke this menu anymore, but @mentions in comments remain unaffected. No admin action is required; users should be informed.
Message ID: MC1478006
Primary Service: Word
Admin Impact: Low
User Impact: Low
Release Start: 31 Oct 2026
Release End: 31 Oct 2026
Service: Microsoft 365 apps
Category: Plan for change
Tags: Major change, User impact, Admin impact, Retirement
Rollout: October 2026
History
9/23/2026 Item Added to Message Center
Microsoft Message
Microsoft is retiring the CIQ-based “@” entity insertion experience on the document canvas in Word for the web. This retirement aligns Word for the web with the experience available in other Microsoft 365 applications, including Word desktop, Excel, and PowerPoint, where this entry point is no longer available.
As part of this change, users will no longer be able to invoke the CIQ menu from the document canvas by typing “@”. This retirement does not affect @mentions in comments.
Rollout schedule
Retirement (Worldwide, GCC, GCC High, and DoD): Beginning in late October 2026 and expected to complete by late October 2026
Impact on your organization
Who is affected
Users who currently use the CIQ “@” menu in Word for the web to search for and insert entities into documents
Platforms and services
Word for the web
What will happen
- The CIQ-based “@” entry point on the document canvas will be removed from Word for the web.
- Users will no longer be able to use the legacy CIQ menu to search for and insert entities from the document canvas.
- No replacement experience is included as part of this retirement.
- @mentions in comments are not affected and will continue to work as before.
- This change aligns Word for the web with Word desktop, Excel, and PowerPoint, where this entry point is no longer available.
- No admin controls are available to enable, disable, or postpone this change.
Action required and recommendations
No admin action is required.
We recommend that administrators:
- Inform affected users about the retirement of this feature.
- Review and update internal documentation, training materials, and support content that reference the CIQ “@” insertion experience.
- Remove any internal guidance or workflows that depend on the CIQ entity insertion menu.
Compliance considerations
No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.