← Back
(Updated) Microsoft 365 Copilot: Review PDFs using Copilot context menu and AI actions
MC1192664 · build prod-20251231-200323
Category
stayInformed
Severity
normal
Major change
False
Last modified
2025-12-17 17:18:04
Summary source
Azure OpenAI (gpt-4.1)
Action by (Graph)
Action by (AI)
2026-01-01 00:00:00
Services
Microsoft Copilot (Microsoft 365)
Tags
Updated message, New feature, User impact, Admin impact
Master tags
Roadmap IDs

One-line summary

Copilot adds a context menu to OneDrive web PDFs, enabling plain-language explanations and custom prompts for faster reviews; rollout starts early January 2026.

Similar updates

More like this
MC1187850 Microsoft 365 Copilot: Use Copilot AI Actions with OneDrive files in File Explorer
Microsoft 365 Copilot: Use Copilot AI Actions with OneDrive files in File Explorer Copilot AI Actions in Windows File Explorer let users summarize and generate FAQs for OneDrive files; available by default for Copilot-licensed users starting late September 2025. [Introduction:] We’re bringing the power of Microsoft Copilot AI Actions directly.
MC1155433 (Updated) Microsoft Copilot (Microsoft 365): Use Copilot with OneDrive files in File Explorer and Activity Center
(Updated) Microsoft Copilot (Microsoft 365): Use Copilot with OneDrive files in File Explorer and Activity Center Copilot is now integrated into Windows File Explorer and OneDrive activity center, enabling users to summarize, compare, and query files using AI; rollout is complete and feature is on by default. Updated December 3, 2025: This item.
MC1185443 Microsoft 365 Copilot: Copilot integration for OneDrive files in macOS Finder
Microsoft 365 Copilot: Copilot integration for OneDrive files in macOS Finder Copilot is being integrated into Finder for OneDrive on macOS, letting users query file contents directly; rollout starts mid-November 2025 and completes by late December 2025. Updated November 14, 2025: We have updated the image. Introduction We’re enhancing the macOS.
MC1182707 (Updated) New Copilot button in file previewer for OneDrive and SharePoint
(Updated) New Copilot button in file previewer for OneDrive and SharePoint A new Copilot button will appear in the file previewer in OneDrive and SharePoint, replacing the command bar Copilot entry for users with paid Copilot licenses. Updated December 12, 2025: We have updated the timeline. We will not be rolling out this feat... [Introduction].
MC1188228 Microsoft 365 Copilot: Summarize and share OneDrive files in Windows using Copilot
Microsoft 365 Copilot: Summarize and share OneDrive files in Windows using Copilot Microsoft 365 Copilot will let users generate and share file summaries directly from File Explorer and OneDrive activity center in Windows, streamlining collaboration and context sharing. When this will happen General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCC High, DoD): .
MC1187835 (Updated) Microsoft 365 Copilot: Use Copilot with OneDrive files in macOS activity center
(Updated) Microsoft 365 Copilot: Use Copilot with OneDrive files in macOS activity center Copilot actions like summarizing documents and generating FAQs are now available in the OneDrive activity center on macOS for users with Copilot licenses; rollout completes by mid-December 2025. Updated December 1, 2025: We have updated the timeline..

Details

Summary
Microsoft 365 Copilot will roll out globally from early to late January 2026, enabling faster PDF reviews via a context menu in OneDrive web. It offers "Explain this" and custom prompts for text explanation. A Copilot license is required; no action is needed now.

Body (from Message Center)

Updated December 17, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience. 

Introduction

Microsoft 365 Copilot makes PDF reviews faster and easier. It explains selected text in plain language and lets you customize prompts for tailored results, so you spend less time switching between apps.

When this will happen

General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCC High, DoD): We will begin rolling out in early January 2026 (previously mid-December 2025) and expect to complete by late January 2026.

How this will affect your organization

The Copilot context menu provides quick access to actions that reduce PDF review time. Two options are available:

  • Explain this (default): Instantly explains selected text in plain language.
  • Custom prompt: Add your own prompt for tailored results—no need to switch apps.

For OneDrive for work users, the Copilot context menu is available for PDFs in OneDrive web.

Steps to use the Copilot context menu in OneDrive web:

  1. Go to https://onedrive.com and sign in with your work account.
  2. Select the PDF you want to review.
  3. Highlight any text in the PDF. The context menu will display Explain this. Press Enter for a plain-language explanation. 
  4. user settings

  5. To customize, type your own prompt in the input field and press Enter for tailored results. 
  6. user settings

Licensing requirements

A Microsoft 365 Copilot license is required to use this feature.

What you need to do to prepare

No action is required at this time.

Note: Some users may see this feature before others in your organization.

Compliance considerations

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

 

Raw JSON (for debugging)

Expand/collapse the full payload below.
Show/hide raw
{
  "snapshot_item": {
    "action_required_by": null,
    "ai_action_required_by": "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z",
    "ai_actions": [],
    "ai_master_tags": [],
    "ai_model": "gpt-4.1",
    "ai_summary": "Copilot adds a context menu to OneDrive web PDFs, enabling plain-language explanations and custom prompts for faster reviews; rollout starts early January 2026.",
    "ai_topics": [
      "Copilot",
      "OneDrive"
    ],
    "category": "stayInformed",
    "details_map": {
      "Summary": "Microsoft 365 Copilot will roll out globally from early to late January 2026, enabling faster PDF reviews via a context menu in OneDrive web. It offers \"Explain this\" and custom prompts for text explanation. A Copilot license is required; no action is needed now."
    },
    "id": "MC1192664",
    "importance": 4,
    "is_major_change": false,
    "last_modified": "2025-12-17T17:18:04Z",
    "ms_products": [
      "Copilot"
    ],
    "platforms": null,
    "roadmap_ids": [],
    "services": [
      "Microsoft Copilot (Microsoft 365)"
    ],
    "severity": "normal",
    "tags": [
      "Updated message",
      "New feature",
      "User impact",
      "Admin impact"
    ],
    "title": "(Updated) Microsoft 365 Copilot: Review PDFs using Copilot context menu and AI actions"
  }
}