Microsoft's Copilot app adds a tabbed interface, Office integration and automation

Microsoft has unveiled a redesigned version of its dedicated Copilot app, adding a tabbed interface and direct integration with Office apps. Engadget reported the update on September 25. The company may be easing off on pushing AI features into Windows, but it is still developing the standalone app, which received a minor refresh earlier this year.

The goal is to make Copilot more useful for consumers and businesses alike. For companies that constantly process data, generate reports and create presentations, the new features address a concrete need.

A tabbed interface with three modes

The "Home" tab is where typical AI chats and other work happen. Eventually, the company says, it will intelligently route requests between Copilot's different modes: a simple question may stay in Chat mode, while a more complex query can trigger Copilot mode, where work is delegated to the assistant.

Coding in natural language

The "Code" tab lets users create small tasks through natural language, with no programming skills required. "Describe an app, tracker, dashboard, automation, or workflow in natural language, and Copilot chooses an approach and builds it," said Jared Spataro, Microsoft's Chief Marketing Officer of AI at Work. The output can range from simple desktop widgets to dashboards for managing data.

Autopilot and Office integration

The "Autopilot" tab unlocks agentic capabilities, letting Copilot respond to threads and handle recurring tasks without any input from the user. "It can do things like set up and manage a full supplier review process: building the schedule and workback plan, then handling prep, meetings, and follow-ups on its own, right down to reaching out to stakeholders for updates," Spataro wrote.

Office integration matters most for enterprises, where teams process data, generate reports and build presentations every day. Engadget notes that Microsoft has not yet made the case for serious consumer Copilot adoption, but the picture looks different for corporate users.