Microsoft Lets Office Users Remove Annoying Copilot Button

Microsoft Responds to User Feedback on Copilot Button

Microsoft is rolling out Office app updates next week that allow users to disable a floating Copilot button. The button appeared in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint in recent weeks, floating above the bottom right-hand section of spreadsheets or documents. It has angered many Excel users in particular, because it obstructs cells and you can’t fully disable it.

Why the Floating Copilot Button Irritated Users

“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,” admits Katie Kivett, partner group product manager at Microsoft. “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.”

Key User Complaints

• The floating button obstructs cells in Excel spreadsheets.
• Users had no option to fully disable it.
• It appeared in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint without clear customization controls.

How to Move the Copilot Button to the Ribbon

While Microsoft already has a dock option for the floating Copilot button to make it slightly smaller and less annoying, it’s now adding an option to move the button to the ribbon so it will no longer float on top of documents. This new option will appear next week when users right-click the “Dynamic Action Button.”

Step-by-Step Guide to Disable the Floating Button

To remove the floating Copilot button from your Office apps:

1. Open Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.
2. Locate the floating Copilot button at the bottom right.
3. Right-click the “Dynamic Action Button.”
4. Select the option to move it to the ribbon.

Microsoft’s Shift Away from Aggressive Copilot Integration

This change to Office apps comes just a month after Microsoft also started removing “unnecessary” Copilot buttons from various Windows 11 apps. After years of shoving Copilot buttons everywhere, it seems like Microsoft is finally waking up to the fact that these additions can be more annoying than useful.

Broader Implications for Copilot in Windows 11

Microsoft’s decision to remove Copilot buttons from Windows 11 apps signals a broader shift in strategy. The company is now prioritizing user experience over aggressive feature promotion. This aligns with feedback from users who found the buttons intrusive.

What This Means for Office Users

• Greater control over the Copilot interface.
• Reduced clutter in spreadsheets and documents.
• More adaptive and flexible Copilot features in future updates.