Microsoft Office Gives Users Control: Say Goodbye to the Annoying Copilot Button

In the upcoming week, Microsoft is set to release updates for its Office apps that will give users the option to disable a floating Copilot button. This button, which has recently made its way into Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, hovers above the bottom right-hand corner of spreadsheets and documents. Many Excel users have expressed frustration over its presence, as it blocks cells and cannot be fully removed.

Acknowledging the feedback from users, Katie Kivett, partner group product manager at Microsoft, stated, “While we are seeing increased engagement with Copilot in Office apps with this update, we are also hearing the need for more control over how Copilot appears. While one of our goals is to evolve Copilot to be more adaptive and flexible over time, we are making some adjustments in the short term.”

While a dock option already exists to make the floating Copilot button smaller, Microsoft is introducing a new feature that allows users to move the button to the ribbon, eliminating its floating presence on documents. This new option will be accessible next week by right-clicking the “Dynamic Action Button.”

The changes to Office apps follow Microsoft’s recent efforts to remove unnecessary Copilot buttons from various Windows 11 applications. After years of incorporating these buttons extensively, Microsoft appears to be recognizing that these additions can sometimes be more bothersome than beneficial.