Anthropic has announced the integration of its Claude AI assistant with Microsoft 365 services. This integration allows Claude to extract content from Word documents, Teams messages, and Outlook emails during conversations with users. These updates aim to enhance Claude’s utility in workplace settings.

Claude now has the capability to connect with Microsoft SharePoint and OneDrive to automatically search and analyze documents without requiring manual uploads. The Microsoft 365 connector is currently accessible to all Claude Team and Enterprise plan users, but administrators must enable the integration before end users can link their accounts.

The integration with Microsoft Outlook enables Claude to access email threads and analyze communications to provide relevant context in its responses. Additionally, Claude can search through chat conversations in Microsoft Teams, access channel discussions, and review meeting summaries.

In a further development, Anthropic is introducing enterprise search in Claude, allowing the AI assistant to search across a company’s various data sources. This feature is particularly beneficial for onboarding new team members, analyzing customer feedback patterns, and identifying internal experts swiftly.

The integration between Claude and Microsoft 365 utilizes a Model Context Protocol (MCP) connector, Anthropic’s open-source standard for connecting AI applications to different data sources and applications. Microsoft has embraced MCP and plans to implement it widely in Windows for enhanced AI capabilities.

Microsoft has increasingly relied on Anthropic AI models to enhance its Microsoft 365 applications. These models are powering various Microsoft tools such as Copilot Researcher, GitHub Copilot, Copilot Studio, and a new Office Agent that can generate Word and PowerPoint documents. Microsoft’s collaboration with Anthropic signifies its commitment to diversifying its AI capabilities while avoiding dependence on a single AI provider.