Fix Copilot Pro Not Activated in Excel (Works in Word)
Question details
The user needs to activate Copilot Pro in Excel, as it is currently working in Word but not showing up properly in Excel.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to use Copilot Pro in an Excel workbook that is saved on OneDrive with AutoSave enabled, using an updated Microsoft 365 application.
- Observed behavior
- Excel continues to show the Copilot preview or does nothing when Copilot is selected, despite the license being active and working properly in Microsoft Word.
Verify that your Excel workbook is saved to OneDrive or SharePoint and that AutoSave is turned on, as Copilot in Excel strictly requires these settings to function.
Update the Microsoft 365 License in Excel
Manually forcing a license update directly from within Excel usually resolves account synchronization issues that prevent Copilot from activating.
Even if Copilot Pro is working in Word, Excel might be stuck on an older cached license state. Updating the license forces Excel to ping the Microsoft servers and recognize your active Copilot Pro subscription.
Launch Microsoft Excel, click on the File tab in the top-left corner, and select Account from the left-hand menu.
Click the Update License button located under your product information.
Sign in using the Microsoft account that is associated with your Microsoft 365 and Copilot Pro subscriptions.
Close Excel and any other Microsoft 365 applications you have open. Reopen Excel to check if the Copilot button is now active on the Home tab.
Reinstall Microsoft 365 Apps
If the Update License button is missing or updating the license does not work, a clean reinstallation can restore missing features.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Copilot work in Word but not in Excel?
Copilot in Excel has stricter requirements than Word. Your file must be saved on OneDrive or SharePoint, and AutoSave must be enabled. Additionally, Excel sometimes caches older license states, requiring a manual license refresh to recognize your Copilot Pro subscription.
What should I do if the Update License button is missing in Excel?
If the Update License option is unavailable under File > Account, you may be using an older version of Excel or a mismatched installation. Uninstalling and reinstalling Microsoft 365 from your official Microsoft account portal usually restores this option.
Can I use Copilot in Excel with local files?
No, Copilot in Excel currently requires the workbook to be saved to Microsoft OneDrive or SharePoint, and the AutoSave feature must be turned on. It does not support locally saved files.
