Forum Discussion
M365 Copilot requirements explained!
If you don't have a Copilot license, but just have an M365 E3 license, where can you use Copilot? For instance, should there be icons for Copilot in Word, and Excel?
What You Can Access with M365 E3 (No Copilot License)
You’ll still see standard Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams.
You might see Copilot-related UI elements (like icons or placeholders) in some apps, but they’ll be non-functional unless a Copilot license is assigned.
You can use basic AI features like Editor in Word or Ideas in Excel, but not the full Copilot experience (e.g., generating content, summarizing documents, or creating formulas via natural language).
What You Can’t Use Without a Copilot License
Copilot in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams: These require a Microsoft 365 Copilot license (e.g., Copilot for Microsoft 365).
Copilot Studio: You can browse and explore, but building or deploying agents typically requires a Copilot license.
Copilot Chat across apps: This feature is gated behind the Copilot license.
Should You See Copilot Icons?
Possibly, yes. Microsoft has started rolling out Copilot UI elements even to users without licenses, especially in enterprise environments. These icons may appear in Word or Excel but clicking them will prompt you to upgrade or show limited functionality.