- By Alex David
- Wed, 17 Sep 2025 01:15 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Microsoft is making advancements in AI by launching Copilot Chat for free in Core Office apps - Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote - for Microsoft 365 business users.
Companies will no longer have to purchase a separate Copilot license and will now have basic features of Copilot for free, allowing them to have real-time AI support in their workflows.
ALSO READ: Huawei Watch Ultimate 2 Could Launch On September 19: Expected Design, Features, And Price
What is Copilot Chat in Office Apps?
Copilot Chat is a sidebar-based contextual assistant that works within the document or file currently open. It can:
- Draft or rewrite text in Word and Outlook
- Summarise lengthy reports or emails
- Analyse data sets and trends in Excel
- Build slide outlines in PowerPoint
- Generate structured notes and summaries in OneNote
Copilot Chat is unlike other AI apps as it is responsive to the file being worked on, making its responses accurate and suitable.
Free vs Paid Copilot: What’s the Difference?
Though the free version is a big plus, it does not replace the Microsoft 365 Copilot premium license which is $30 per user a month.
ALSO READ: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 5G Gets Massive ₹41,500 Price Cut On Amazon
Free Copilot Chat (new update):
- Works only within the file you are editing
- Great for quick summaries, rewrites, and contextual insights
- No price increase for Microsoft 365 business plans
Copilot License ($30/month):
- Access to full organizational data, not just single files
- File uploads and image generation
- Priority access to the latest AI models (including GPT-5)
- Faster, more reliable responses during peak demand
What’s Next for Copilot in Microsoft 365?
Starting October 2025, Microsoft plans to integrate its sales, service, and finance Copilots into the larger Microsoft 365 Copilot subscription. This could simplify licensing for enterprises and potentially lower costs for those already using vertical-specific AI tools.
Why It Matters?
By embedding Copilot Chat directly into Office apps at no extra charge, Microsoft is:
- Making AI productivity tools mainstream for businesses of all sizes
- Lowering barriers to AI adoption within organizations
- Setting the stage for Copilot as a standard feature, rather than a premium add-on
With rivals like Google pushing AI deeper into Workspace, this move reinforces Microsoft’s strategy of turning Office into an AI-first productivity suite.