MC1454373 – M365 Change Digest

One-line summary

The =COPILOT function in Excel will be retired on September 14, 2026. Users should use the Copilot side pane for AI-assisted tasks instead.

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Details

Summary

The =COPILOT function in Excel will be retired on September 14, 2026. Users can continue AI-assisted tasks via the Copilot side pane. No admin action is needed, but users should be informed and workflows updated accordingly.

Body (from Message Center)

[What and Why:]

Beginning September 14, 2026, the =COPILOT function in Microsoft Excel will no longer be available. This function is currently offered as a preview feature through the Insider and Frontier programs.

Customers can continue using Copilot in Excel through the Copilot side pane, which provides many of the same AI-powered capabilities, including summarizing text, classifying data, generating content, and retrieving information from the web. This change helps streamline the Copilot experience within Excel while continuing to provide AI assistance through a supported interface.

[Rollout Schedule:]

September 14, 2026: The =COPILOT function will be retired and will no longer be available in Excel.

[Impact on Your Organization:]

Who is affected:
- Users participating in the Excel Insider and Frontier preview programs who currently use the =COPILOT function.
Platforms/Services:
- Microsoft Excel, Copilot in Excel.
What will happen:
- The =COPILOT worksheet function will be removed from Excel.
- Users will no longer be able to create new formulas using the =COPILOT function after September 14, 2026.
- Copilot functionality will continue to be available through the Copilot side pane.
- Users can continue performing common AI-assisted tasks, including text summarization, data classification, content generation, and web-based information lookups using the Copilot side pane.

[Action Required/Recommendations:]

No admin action is required.

Review any internal training, documentation, or guidance that references the =COPILOT function.
Inform affected users about the retirement and direct them to use the Copilot side pane for AI-assisted tasks in Excel.
Evaluate existing workflows that depend on the =COPILOT function and transition users to supported Copilot experiences where appropriate.

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    "details_map": {
      "Summary": "The =COPILOT function in Excel will be retired on September 14, 2026. Users can continue AI-assisted tasks via the Copilot side pane. No admin action is needed, but users should be informed and workflows updated accordingly."
    },
    "id": "MC1454373",
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    "last_modified": "2026-08-13T23:34:48Z",
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