Microsoft 365 Copilot not working: why the button is missing in Word and what to do

Symptoms

• The Copilot button is missing from the ribbon in Word and Excel
• The button is there, but pressing it shows a no-license message
• Copilot works in the browser but not in the Office apps

Causes and fixes

1. Your account has no Microsoft 365 Copilot or Copilot Pro license

What to do: For a work account ask the admin to assign a license in the admin center; for a personal one get Copilot Pro on top of Microsoft 365 Personal or Family

2. An old version of the Office apps without Copilot support

What to do: Update Office to the current channel through File, Account, Update now

3. The admin disabled Copilot for your group or country by policy

What to do: Contact the admin: the console has separate switches for Copilot in the apps and in Teams

4. You signed into Office with a personal account while the license is on the work one

What to do: File, Account: check which account is active and switch

5. Free Copilot in the browser and Copilot in the Office apps are different products

What to do: Work inside Word, Excel and Outlook needs a paid license; free Copilot works only in the browser and the Copilot app

Common problems and fixes

• Copilot in Excel will not work with your table: file, format and AutoSave
• Copilot limits: why free Copilot refuses and what a license gives you

About Microsoft 365 Copilot

Assistant inside Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams and PowerPoint with access to company data. Paid plans from $20/mo. Free plan available.

Microsoft 365 Copilot · Alternatives to Microsoft 365 Copilot