Copilot works in Word and PowerPoint, but not Excel desktop app — blank Copilot pane

Niko Verio 25 Reputation points
2026-08-21T03:16:56.53+00:00

I’m having an issue with Copilot in the Microsoft 365 Excel desktop app.

Copilot works normally in Word and PowerPoint, but in Excel, when I click the Copilot button, the Copilot side pane opens completely blank, and nothing happens.

So far I have tried:

  • Repairing Microsoft 365
  • Reinstalling Microsoft 365 on my computer

Restarting the computer

Signing out and back into my Microsoft 365 account

Trying several suggested troubleshooting steps

The Copilot button is visible in Excel, so the feature appears to be enabled, but clicking it only opens a blank pane.

Since Copilot works correctly in Word and PowerPoint with the same Microsoft 365 account, this appears to be an issue specific to the Excel desktop application.

Has anyone experienced this problem or found a solution?

I would appreciate any suggestions for troubleshooting the Excel Copilot integration specifically.

Microsoft Copilot | Other
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Answer accepted by question author

AI answer

2026-08-21T03:17:15.3366667+00:00

Since the Copilot button is present in Excel, the main next checks are app state, license refresh, build/update channel, and privacy settings.

  1. Check the new Copilot entry point behavior In Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Copilot now opens from the Copilot Dynamic Action Button anchored in the lower-right corner of the document. The capabilities did not change, only the entry point changed.
  2. Update Excel to the latest build Make sure Microsoft 365 is fully updated. Copilot visibility and behavior depend on the app build being current.
  3. Refresh the Microsoft 365 license In any Microsoft 365 app on Windows:
    • Go to File > Account
    • Select Update License
    • Close and restart all Microsoft 365 apps
    On Mac:
    • Select the app name menu at the top
    • Select About <app name>
    • Select More Info...
    • Select Refresh License
    • Restart all Microsoft 365 apps
  4. Check the Microsoft 365 update channel if this is a work device Copilot features are not available in Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel. Excel must be on Current Channel or Monthly Enterprise Channel. To check:
    • Open Excel
    • Go to File > Account
    • In Product Information, look for the update channel
    If it shows Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel, the device needs to be moved to a supported channel. The web version of Microsoft 365 apps can be used in the meantime.
  5. Verify privacy settings These settings can prevent Copilot from appearing or functioning correctly. On Windows:
    • Open Excel
    • Go to File > Account
    • Under Account Privacy, select Manage Settings
    • Confirm Experiences that analyze your content is turned on
    • Confirm All connected experiences is turned on
    On Mac:
    • Open Word
    • Select Word > Preferences > Privacy
    • Confirm Experiences that analyze your content is turned on
    • Confirm All connected experiences is turned on
  6. Check whether Copilot was disabled in Excel itself On Windows:
    • In Excel, go to File > Options > Copilot
    • Make sure Enable Copilot is selected
    • Restart Excel
    On Mac:
    • In the app menu, go to Preferences > Authoring and Proofing Tools > Copilot
    • Make sure Enable Copilot is selected
    • Restart Excel
  7. If this is a work or school account, confirm sign-in context Copilot Chat in Microsoft 365 apps requires being signed in with the work or school account.
  8. If the issue remains Excel-desktop-only Since repair, reinstall, restart, and sign-out/sign-in were already tried, the supported next path is to verify the items above, especially:
    • latest build
    • license refresh
    • supported update channel
    • connected experiences/privacy settings
    • Excel’s Enable Copilot setting
    If Excel desktop still opens a blank pane after those checks, use Excel on the web as a temporary workaround while the desktop app configuration is corrected.

References:

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  1. 谷中 俊介 0 Reputation points
    2026-08-21T07:43:02.13+00:00

    I had the exact same issue and managed to fix it by changing a simple setting.

    Try turning off the startup screen in Excel options:

    1. Go to File > Options > General.
    2. Scroll down to Start up options.
    3. Uncheck "Show the Start screen when this application starts".
    4. Click OK and restart Excel.

    I have no idea why this startup screen setting affects the Copilot pane, but it completely resolved the blank pane issue for me. Hope this helps!

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  2. Niko Verio 25 Reputation points
    2026-08-21T03:26:39.1366667+00:00

    The workaround works, but I prefer to have Copilot work on my desktop Excel.

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