Posted inMicrosoft 365 apps

MC1454373: Excel Retires =COPILOT Function and Shifts AI Capabilities to Copilot Side Pane

3 minutesPosted inMicrosoft 365 apps
MWPRO IMPACT SCORE
OPERATIONAL IMPACT
48
0 25 50 75 100
MODERATE IMPACT • ASSESS BUSINESS IMPACT
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Primary Audience

Microsoft 365 AdminsTenant AdminsIT ManagersService OwnersEnd Users
Why this score?
AI Confidence
HIGH
Enough detail is available to trust this assessment.
Assessment Reasoning
The removal of the =COPILOT function affects Insider and Frontier users who rely on formulas for Copilot tasks. Admins should review documentation and communicate changes to relevant audiences. Workflow adjustments may be necessary where the function was used, though Copilot capabilities remain available in the side pane. The fixed date is 30 days away, increasing urgency to inform and prepare while implementation effort is limited to communication and minor process changes.
40
🛡️ Admin Impact
MEDIUM
45
👥 User Impact
MEDIUM
65
⚡ Urgency
HIGH
35
🔧 Effort
MEDIUM
ℹ️ WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
📌

AT A GLANCE

The =COPILOT function in Excel preview will be retired on 14 September 2026. Users should switch to the Copilot side pane for AI tasks.
👥

END USERS

Users in preview who use =COPILOT will lose this function and need to use the Copilot side pane instead.
🛡️

IT ADMINS

Review training and documentation, inform affected users, and check workflows that rely on the =COPILOT function.
📅

ROLLOUT TIMELINE

Upcoming:
14 September 2026

📢 Official Microsoft Message Center Announcement

Frontier =COPILOT function in Excel will no longer be available
Message ID: MC1454373

[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.

Source: Microsoft Message Center • Analysed by MWPro

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