MC1192664 – M365 Change Digest

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

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:

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

user settings

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

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)

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  "snapshot_item": {
    "action_required_by": null,
    "ai_action_required_by": "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z",
    "ai_actions": [],
    "ai_master_tags": [
      "User",
      "Admin",
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    ],
    "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"
  }
}