Microsoft Launches Free Copilot Chat Sidebar for Microsoft 365 Users
Microsoft has introduced a new Copilot Chat sidebar for Microsoft 365 users, available across Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote. This update enables users to leverage AI to draft documents and analyze spreadsheets without the need for an additional Microsoft 365 Copilot license, reports 24brussels.
The Copilot Chat feature, launched on September 15, 2025, presents a secure AI-driven chat interface designed to assist users with a range of tasks. “Copilot Chat is secure AI chat grounded in the web—and now, it’s available in the Microsoft 365 apps,” said Seth Patton, General Manager of Microsoft 365 Copilot product marketing. “It’s content aware, meaning it quickly understands what you’re working on, tailoring answers to the file you have open. And it’s included at no additional cost for Microsoft 365 users.”
This free version of Copilot can rewrite documents, generate summaries, and assist with creating PowerPoint slides. However, the premium Microsoft 365 Copilot license, priced at $30 per month per user, continues to offer superior integration within Office applications. This premium license is not restricted to a single document and can analyze extensive datasets across different projects.
“Users with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license get priority access to features like file upload and image generation, along with the latest technology like GPT-5, including faster response times and more consistent availability—even during peak usage periods,” Patton added.
Earlier this year, Microsoft had included AI-powered Copilot features in Office apps for consumer Microsoft 365 subscriptions, but simultaneously increased subscription prices. With the introduction of Copilot Chat for business users, Microsoft is not imposing any new price adjustments. Additionally, the company is preparing to bundle its sales, service, and finance Copilots into the Microsoft 365 Copilot subscription in October, offering possible cost reductions for businesses utilizing these advanced AI tools.
