Co Pilot is in Word but not in Excel

Question

Co Pilot is in Word but not showing in Excel on my dsktop but is showing in Excel when I use Excel online

Answer 1

Copilot appearing in Word but not in Excel on the desktop while working in Excel for the web typically indicates a client-side configuration or eligibility issue on the desktop apps.

Check the following on the desktop where Excel is missing Copilot:

1. Confirm the correct account and license
   • In Excel desktop, go to File > Account.
   • Ensure the primary account shown is the same one used in Word and in Excel for the web, and that it has a Copilot license.
   • If needed, sign out of other accounts and sign back in with the Copilot-licensed account.
2. Make sure Excel is on a supported build
   • Copilot in Excel requires a recent Microsoft 365 build (for example, Excel for Windows 16.0.16731.10000 or later, Excel for Mac 16.76.729.0 or later).
   • In Excel, go to File > Account > Update Options > Update Now to install the latest updates.
3. Refresh the Copilot license in the desktop apps
   • Windows:
     1. Open any Microsoft 365 app (Word, Excel, or PowerPoint).
     2. Go to File > Account.
     3. Select Update License.
     4. Close all Microsoft 365 apps and reopen Excel.
   • Mac:
     1. Open any Microsoft 365 app.
     2. From the top menu, select <app name> > About <app name>.
     3. Select More Info....
     4. Select Refresh License.
     5. Close all Microsoft 365 apps and reopen Excel.
4. For business tenants, verify the update channel (Windows)
   • In any desktop app, go to File > Account and check Product Information.
   • If Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel is shown, Copilot features are not available in that channel.
   • Copilot requires Current Channel or Monthly Enterprise Channel. Contact the organization’s IT/admin to move the device to a supported channel. Until then, Excel for the web will continue to show Copilot.
5. Check privacy and connected experiences settings
   • Windows:
     1. Open any Microsoft 365 app.
     2. Go to File > Account.
     3. Under Account Privacy, select Manage Settings.
     4. Ensure Experiences that analyze your content is turned on.
     5. Ensure All connected experiences is turned on.
   • Mac:
     1. Open Word.
     2. Go to Word > Preferences > Privacy.
     3. Turn on Experiences that analyze your content.
     4. Turn on All connected experiences.

If Excel for the web shows Copilot correctly, that confirms the license is valid; aligning the desktop app’s account, build, update channel, and privacy settings with the above steps should make Copilot appear in Excel desktop as well.

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References:

• How to find and enable missing Copilot button in Microsoft 365 apps
• Import data from the web and internal sources with Copilot in Excel
• Get started with Copilot in Excel