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Why Microsoft 365 Copilot Shows 'Preview' with a Full License
Question details
The user wants to know why Microsoft 365 Copilot is labeled as 'Preview' even though they possess an active Business Premium subscription and a full Copilot or Copilot Pro license.
- Product
- Microsoft 365 Copilot
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Using Microsoft 365 applications like Excel after purchasing a full Copilot or Copilot Pro subscription.
- Observed behavior
- The Copilot feature continues to display a 'Copilot (Preview)' tag, causing confusion about whether the paid license is fully active or restricted.
Before troubleshooting, verify that your Copilot Pro or Microsoft 365 Business Premium subscription is active in your Microsoft account dashboard, and ensure your Office applications are fully updated.
Verify Copilot Functionality and Ignore the Preview Label
The 'Preview' label often reflects the software's rollout phase for specific apps (like Excel) rather than an issue with your paid license.
Microsoft often rolls out Copilot features incrementally. In certain apps like Excel, Copilot officially remains in a preview status regardless of your subscription type. If the AI functions can generate content or analyze data successfully, your license is active and working correctly.
Launch an application where the Copilot (Preview) label is appearing, such as Microsoft Excel or Word.
If you are using Excel, highlight your data range and press Ctrl+T to format it as a Table, as Copilot requires this specific format to function.
Click the Copilot icon in the Home ribbon and type a test prompt. If Copilot generates a successful response, your full license is active and you can safely ignore the preview tag.
Refresh Your Microsoft 365 License Token
If Copilot features are completely unresponsive alongside the Preview label, refreshing your account login can resolve backend licensing sync issues.
Try WPS Office with WPS AI for a Seamless Experience
If Microsoft 365's licensing bugs, preview tags, and strict formatting requirements are causing frustration, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a highly compatible alternative with powerful, fully integrated AI features that work smoothly right out of the box.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click 'Download WPS Office Free'.
- 2. Open Your Office Files: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Microsoft documents, spreadsheets, or presentations seamlessly.
- 3. Activate WPS AI: Click the WPS AI button on the ribbon menu to instantly start generating content or summarizing your files.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 'Preview' label mean my Copilot Pro license didn't activate?
No. The 'Preview' label generally indicates the current development stage of the feature within a specific application (like Excel). It does not indicate a failure of your license activation.
Why doesn't Copilot work in my Excel spreadsheet even though I have a paid license?
Copilot for Excel requires your data to be formatted as an official Excel Table. Select your data range, press Ctrl+T, and ensure your file is saved and synced to OneDrive or SharePoint before attempting to use Copilot.
How do I remove the Copilot Preview label?
You cannot manually remove the Preview label. Microsoft removes it on a per-app basis as they finalize features and roll out global updates. Ensure you regularly update your Office apps via File > Account > Update Options to receive the finalized versions.
