Microsoft makes Copilot easier to summon, harder to ignore in Office

"Microsoft is "streamlining" access to Copilot within its productivity applications and updating the keyboard shortcut to activate the assistant. "We heard from many of you that you're unsure how to start engaging with Copilot," the company says, though it did not elaborate on where it had heard this. On its Microsoft 365 Copilot feedback forum, the top-voted request was for more granular agent availability controls."

"First, the company is reducing the number of entry points to its assistant. There will be the Copilot icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen (hover over it to get suggestions), and a contextual entry point when users interact with content (Microsoft gives the example of selecting text). Microsoft has also updated the keyboard shortcuts for its assistant."

"Hitting F6 now shifts the focus to the Copilot button in the canvas, and the Up Arrow key lets users move between prompts. In addition to setting focus on the Copilot button, Alt+C will move focus to the Copilot Chat pane if it is already open. "Before you know it, Copilot will be editing your content directly from conversation," enthused Microsoft."

"Awkwardly, the fifth-most-voted request at the time of writing is "Disable the M365 Copilot Floating Button in Office Apps," which called the feature "highly disruptive." One commenter stated: "Not allowing users to remove this floating bubble is beyond obnoxious." Fortunately for such refuseniks, Microsoft is going to make accessing Copilot more straightforward."

Microsoft is streamlining access to Copilot inside Microsoft 365 productivity applications. Access will rely on a Copilot icon in the bottom-right corner that provides suggestions on hover, plus a contextual entry point when users interact with content such as selecting text. Keyboard shortcuts are being updated so F6 shifts focus to the Copilot button in the canvas, and the Up Arrow key moves between prompts. Alt+C moves focus to the Copilot Chat pane when it is already open. Feedback requests included more granular agent availability controls and disabling the Copilot floating button, which some users found disruptive. Microsoft expects Copilot to edit content directly from conversation.

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