microsoft has recognized that the flotation Co-pilot The button introduced in Word and Excel disrupted users’ workflows. The company is now rolling out a solution that will allow users to move the Copilot button back to the ribbon, where AI integrations previously appeared in Office apps. This rollback is expected to take effect in the last week of May 2026, according to Windows Latest.
The floating Copilot button recently became the default in Office apps, drawing criticism from users. Many users found that it obstructed data on the screen, especially in Excel, where the button overlapped the workspace and could not be dismissed.
What was wrong with the floating passenger button and what changes now?
The floating button was placed in the bottom right corner of Office apps, similar to where chatbot widgets typically appear on web interfaces. Users argued that Office is not a web application and that the ribbon, which has traditionally housed Office tools, was the most appropriate location.
One reader comment commented: “The placement of the Copilot button is the worst decision I’ve seen. I understand the reasoning behind placing it in the bottom right corner, a common place for chatbots and live chat buttons on web user interfaces for years, but Excel is not a web app.
The button does not need to be in the bottom corner and can cover the usable workspace.” Users also noted that the button obstructed screenshots used for data validation and other workflows that require the entire screen to be visible.
The upcoming update will allow users to move Copilot back to the ribbon, restoring its position to match the way Office tools have traditionally been organized. Users who prefer the floating button can continue using it. The change is optional and does not apply in any direction.
Microsoft said the company has been working to make Microsoft 365 more connected and integrated with Copilot, and that it is listening, learning and making improvements along the way.
Why Microsoft pressed the floating co-pilot button in the first place
Microsoft has acknowledged that Copilot interactions and user engagement increased after the floating button was set as the default option. The data indicates that location did indeed drive usage, but it also negatively affected the experience of users who didn’t want the AI assistant to take up that space.
The big picture shows that Microsoft has been actively promoting the adoption of Copilot across its product line. CEO Satya Nadella recently announced that the company has 20 million paying enterprise customers for Copilot, a 33% increase from 15 million in January.
However, separate reports suggest that less than 3.3% of Microsoft 365 and Office 365 users who interact with Copilot Chat are actually paying for it, despite Microsoft spending $37.5 billion on AI in the second quarter of fiscal 2026.
How to move Copilot back to the tape
Microsoft has not yet provided detailed instructions for the upcoming change. Once the deployment is complete, users will be able to find an option to move Copilot back to the ribbon within Word and Excel settings.
Microsoft is also expected to offer new options to control how prominently Copilot appears in the interface, building on existing settings to disable Copilot in Office apps entirely.
The rollout is scheduled to begin in the last week of May 2026 and will be rolled out gradually, as is usual with Office app updates.
