Summary
- SharePoint Online and OneDrive on the web are getting an updated search experience aligned with Copilot Search across Microsoft 365.
- Users will be able to search with natural-language prompts and see combined results, AI-generated summaries with source references, and filters.
- The change applies to users searching content in SharePoint Online and OneDrive on the web.
- Admins should test any custom search experiences or integrations that may be affected and review whether tenant-level or site-level deferral is needed.
Primary Service: SharePoint
Admin Impact: Low
User Impact: Medium
Release Start: 15 Jan 2027
Release End: 15 Apr 2027
Services: OneDrive, SharePoint
Category: Plan for change
Tags: Admin Action, Feature Update, New Feature, User Adoption
History
11/5/2026 Item Added to Message Center
Microsoft Message
We are updating the search experience in SharePoint Online and OneDrive on the web to align with the Copilot Search experience across Microsoft 365. This updated experience allows users to search using natural-language prompts and combines relevant search results, AI-generated summaries with source references, and filters. By bringing SharePoint and OneDrive onto a common search interface, we are providing a more consistent and familiar search experience across Microsoft 365.
Rollout schedule
- Frontier Preview (Worldwide): Rollout began in mid-October 2026 and is expected to complete by mid-January 2027.
- General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout begins in mid-January 2027 and is expected to complete by mid-April 2027.
Impact on your organization
Who is affected
Users who search for content in SharePoint Online and OneDrive on the web
Platforms and services
- SharePoint Online
- OneDrive on the web
What will happen
- Users will see a modernized search experience aligned with Copilot Search across Microsoft 365. Please note that, while the core experience is shared, some AI-powered capabilities are available based on licensing.
- SharePoint Online and OneDrive on the web will use a common search interface, providing a more consistent experience regardless of where users begin their search.
- During the Frontier Preview period, SharePoint Online and OneDrive on the web will provide an opt-out option if users determine a critical search feature they rely on is unavailable.
Modernized search experiences in SharePoint and OneDrive
Action required and recommendations
No significant deployment work is required. We recommend that you test any custom search experiences or integrations that may be affected by the updated search experience. If your organization needs more time to prepare for this change, options are available to defer the new experience at the tenant and individual site level.
Learn more
We will publish new documentation prior to General Availability release.
Compliance considerations
No compliance considerations identified. Review as appropriate for your organization.