Microsoft Apps Get Revamped Copilot Experience With Faster Access, Keyboard Shortcuts & Smarter Suggestions

Microsoft has been gradually expanding Copilot across Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint. As you may know, Microsoft’s AI assistant is integrated deeply inside Microsoft 365 apps to help users write, summarize, edit, and manage content faster. Now, Microsoft is rolling out a redesigned Copilot experience with smarter suggestions, simplified entry points, and keyboard-focused navigation.

Microsoft redesigns Copilot with smarter suggestions and simpler access

Microsoft says many users still struggle with figuring out how to start using Copilot. To address that, the company is now adding proactive suggestions directly inside the Copilot button. Users can hover over the button or use keyboard shortcuts to begin interacting with Copilot instantly. Microsoft notes that Copilot can eventually edit content directly from conversations.

The company is also reducing Copilot entry points to just two locations. The first is a Copilot icon placed at the bottom-right corner. The second appears contextually whenever users select or interact with content. Speaking of customization, users can also dock the Copilot button while focusing on documents. Soon, Microsoft will even allow dragging the icon beside content areas for easier access.

Copilot now focuses heavily on keyboard-first workflows

Alongside the redesign, Microsoft is introducing smarter suggestions that evolve as users refine content. Suggestions become increasingly specific depending on selected text size. For example, whole documents receive drafting help, while selected words receive rewrite and correction suggestions.

Microsoft is also simplifying keyboard shortcuts across Microsoft 365 apps. Users can now press F6 to focus on the Copilot button quickly. Windows users additionally get Alt + C, while Mac users receive Cmd + Control + I shortcuts.

The updated Copilot experience is rolling out to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for Windows and Mac now, with web support is coming later. Microsoft says wider availability should arrive by early June on Windows via Build 2606 (Version 19822.20182) or later and on Mac via Build 16.108 (Version 26050324) or later.