Microsoft 365 App Agents Handout: New Word, Excel and PowerPoint Agents Now Available in the Microsoft 365 Copilot App
This one-pager introduces the new Word, Excel, and PowerPoint agents in the Microsoft 365 Copilot app. Describe the file you need, and the agent builds it, grounded in web information and the documents you provide. Read the one-pager to see how to prompt each agent.
What are the new Word, Excel, and PowerPoint Agents in Microsoft 365 Copilot?
The new Word, Excel, and PowerPoint Agents in the Microsoft 365 Copilot app are specialized assistants designed to help you create files from a simple prompt, so you can move from idea to first draft faster.
Instead of starting from a blank document, workbook, or deck, you describe what you need, and the relevant Agent will:
- Generate drafts you can edit and refine
- Organize information into clear structures (documents, spreadsheets, or slides)
- Ground content in information from the web and any files or details you include in your prompt
Each Agent focuses on a different type of work:
- Word Agent – Organizes complex information into clear, well-written documents. It’s well-suited for strategic plans, policy writeups, and technical papers.
- Excel Agent – Pulls together web data and files you choose, then turns them into charts, summaries, and insights using built-in formulas and logic. It’s ideal for financial forecasts, project plans, and decision-making tools.
- PowerPoint Agent – Builds polished presentations with a strong narrative and visual structure. It works well for executive decks, strategic updates, and market overviews.
In short, these Agents help you reimagine how you start work by turning natural language prompts into structured, editable files.
Who can use these Agents and what’s different with a Copilot license?
The Word, Excel, and PowerPoint Agents are designed to be broadly accessible, with different levels of capability depending on your license.
Access without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license
- If you’re a Copilot Chat user, you can use the Word, Excel, and PowerPoint Agents even without a full Microsoft 365 Copilot license.
- You can still create new files from prompts and get help generating drafts and organizing information.
Access with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license
- Licensed users get these same Agents plus additional functionality.
- You also gain access to Work IQ, which enhances how Copilot works with your organizational content and workflows.
This tiered approach lets teams start using the Agents quickly, while licensed users can go deeper with more advanced capabilities and richer context from their work environment.
How do I create a new file using an Agent in Microsoft 365 Copilot?
Creating a new file with the Word, Excel, or PowerPoint Agent is straightforward. Here’s how to get started:
- Open the Microsoft 365 Copilot app.
- Go to the Agents menu and choose Word Agent, Excel Agent, or PowerPoint Agent.
– Alternatively, you can type the app name (e.g., “Word”, “Excel”, or “PowerPoint”) directly in the Copilot Chat prompt box.
- Enter your prompt describing the file you want to create, including any web context or files you want it to use.
Here are some concrete prompt examples you can adapt:
- Word Agent
“Create a 2-page project proposal with an introduction, problem statement, solution overview, and timeline.”
The Agent will organize your content into a structured, readable document.
- Excel Agent
“Create a project tracking workbook with tasks, owners, due dates, and status, plus a summary sheet.”
The Agent can pull in web data and selected files, then apply built-in formulas and logic to produce charts, summaries, and insights.
- PowerPoint Agent
“Create a 6-slide executive update on our go to market plan, including progress, risks, and next steps based on GTM plan.doc.”
The Agent will build a presentation with a clear storyline and visual structure.
By starting with prompts like these, you can quickly move from a rough idea to a structured draft that you can refine with your team.