Microsoft hides Copilot floating button

Microsoft is reversing part of a recent Copilot interface change in Word, Excel and PowerPoint after complaints that a new floating AI button was getting in the way. The company said this week that users will be able to hide the button or move Copilot back to the ribbon, restoring a more familiar placement inside the Office apps. The change follows criticism from users and coverage by tech outlets that said the button obstructed content, especially in spreadsheets. Microsoft disclosed the update in a post on its Microsoft 365 Insider Blog. ### What exactly did Microsoft change in Office? Microsoft 365 Insider said on May 21 that Word, Excel and PowerPoint had been updated with a “consolidated, more visible entry point” for Copilot at the bottom right of the apps. The company called it a Dynamic Action Button and said it was meant to suggest Copilot actions based on the document. (techcommunity.microsoft.com) The new placement replaced a simpler ribbon-based entry point for some users and made Copilot persistently visible inside documents, spreadsheets and presentations. Office Watch, which described the change earlier this week, said there was initially “no off switch” for the floating button. (techcommunity.microsoft.com) ### Why did users object to the floating button? Windows Latest reported on May 22 that Microsoft had acknowledged the button was interfering with users’ workflows and was rolling out a fix that lets them move the AI control back to the ribbon. The report said the complaints were especially strong from Excel users, where screen space is tighter and overlays can block cells or controls. (office-watch.com) The Verge reported that Microsoft is now letting Office users remove what it called an “annoying Copilot button,” underscoring how quickly the company responded after the backlash. Pureinfotech and Neowin, citing the change, also said users had criticized the button for blocking parts of the interface in Word, Excel and PowerPoint. (windowslatest.com) ### How is Microsoft changing course? Microsoft 365 Insider said users will be able to right-click the Dynamic Action Button to hide it. The company also said a setting will let users switch the Copilot entry point back to the ribbon, reversing the most visible part of the redesign. (theverge.com) The company framed the change as part of “shaping Copilot” across the apps rather than a retreat, but the practical effect is to restore user control over where the AI tool appears. That reading is based on Microsoft’s own description of the new hide and placement options. (techcommunity.microsoft.com) ### Why does the Visual Studio update matter here? Microsoft’s Visual Studio team said on May 21 that it was introducing a Plan agent that lets developers map out work before Copilot starts editing files. The blog post said “no code changes happen until you say so,” and described the feature as a way to keep users in control while Copilot works through a plan step by step. (techcommunity.microsoft.com) The timing put two Microsoft AI product decisions side by side: one restoring a less intrusive Office interface, and another emphasizing explicit user approval in developer tools. Microsoft did not link the two announcements directly, but both updates were published this week on official company channels. (devblogs.microsoft.com) ### What happens next for Office users? Microsoft said the new right-click hide option and ribbon setting are being rolled out through Microsoft 365 Insider channels for Word, Excel and PowerPoint. The company’s May 21 post is the main source for the feature details and rollout description. (techcommunity.microsoft.com) Visual Studio’s Plan agent is already available to try, according to the Visual Studio Blog post published May 21. Microsoft said users can test it on their next feature or refactoring task and provide feedback through its developer channels. (devblogs.microsoft.com) (techcommunity.microsoft.com)