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Copilot Data & Privacy Issues

How to Use Local or Cloud Files with Copilot Pro

Khadija KhanKhadija Khan Oct 1, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users want to know if they can reference local or cloud files as grounding data to generate content, such as PowerPoint presentations, using Microsoft Copilot Pro.

Using Local or Cloud Files with Copilot Pro for Content Creation
Product
Microsoft Copilot Pro
Device & OS
not provided
Scenario
Attempting to generate highly contextual presentations or documents by feeding personal files into Copilot Pro.
Observed behavior
Users are unable to link or upload their local or cloud files as grounding data because the feature is not currently available in the consumer version of Copilot Pro.
Before you start

Verify that your Microsoft 365 applications are fully updated to the latest version to ensure you have access to any newly released Copilot features.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Manual Text Input as a Workaround for Grounding Data

Since Copilot Pro does not currently support direct file integration for grounding data, you can manually paste essential information into the Copilot prompt to generate your presentation.

As of the current release, Microsoft has no confirmed public roadmap or release date for using local or cloud files as grounding data in Copilot Pro. Grounding data is typically used to give the AI context from your specific documents.

While enterprise versions (Copilot for Microsoft 365) utilize Microsoft Graph to access OneDrive and SharePoint files, consumer Copilot Pro users must rely on manual text inputs to guide the AI.

1
Open Your Source File

Locate and open the local or cloud file (such as a Word document or PDF) that contains the information you want to base your presentation on.

2
Copy the Essential Text

Highlight the core text, outlines, or data points you need. Right-click and select 'Copy' (or press Ctrl+C).

3
Launch Copilot in PowerPoint

Open Microsoft PowerPoint, create a new blank presentation, and click the 'Copilot' button located on the right side of the 'Home' ribbon tab.

4
Prompt with Copied Data

In the Copilot chat pane, type a command such as 'Create a presentation based on this information:' and then paste your copied text into the prompt box before pressing Enter.

Use Manual Text Input as a Workaround for Grounding Data
Monitor Future Updates: Check official Microsoft Copilot announcements and the Microsoft 365 roadmap regularly for future availability of file grounding capabilities in the Pro tier.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What does grounding data mean in Microsoft Copilot?

Grounding data refers to the specific files, emails, or datasets that the AI references to generate contextually accurate and personalized content, rather than relying solely on its general training data.

Can I use OneDrive files to create a PowerPoint in Copilot Pro?

Currently, Copilot Pro does not support pulling data directly from OneDrive files to generate PowerPoint presentations. You must manually copy and paste the text from your OneDrive files into the Copilot prompt.

Is file grounding available in any version of Copilot?

Yes, Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 (the Enterprise version) supports file grounding. It uses Microsoft Graph to securely access your organization's SharePoint and OneDrive files to generate content.

When will Copilot Pro get local file support?

There is currently no confirmed public roadmap or official release date from Microsoft regarding when local or cloud file grounding will be added to the consumer Copilot Pro subscription.