OpenAI has announced that its latest AI model GPT-5.6 is coming to Microsoft 365 Copilot. This means people using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Copilot Chat and Cowork will soon get access to an advanced version of ChatGPT directly inside the apps they use every day.
According to the company, the update will help users write documents, analyse data, create presentations and complete work faster with the help of AI.
Sam Altman-led AI startup says that the new GPT-5.6 model will become the default AI model for Microsoft 365 Copilot. GPT-5.6 is company’s latest flagship model and is designed to deliver better performance while using fewer computing resources.
For users, this simply means they can expect more accurate responses, better writing assistance and improved AI capabilities across Microsoft’s productivity apps.
“We can’t wait for customers to see what GPT‑5.6 in Microsoft 365 will do, enabling them to work even more effectively with AI in the tools they use every day. Using Copilot powered by OpenAI’s latest model, customers will be able to produce more polished outputs in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Cowork, and Copilot Chat, whether they are drafting documents, analyzing data, creating presentations, or collaborating across teams,” Nitin Agrawal, President, Copilot & Agents Core, Microsoft, said in a blog post.
In Microsoft Word, GPT-5.6 can help users draft new documents, rewrite paragraphs, improve grammar and refine content with fewer prompts. Instead of repeatedly asking the AI to make changes, you will get more polished results in fewer attempts and it will help you create document faster and easier.
Excel users will also benefit from the upgrade. GPT-5.6 can help analyse large sets of data, identify trends and generate insights more efficiently. This will make it easier for students, professionals and businesses to understand spreadsheets without spending hours manually working through the data.
PowerPoint is also getting smarter with GPT-5.6. The AI can help turn rough ideas into professional-looking presentations with less effort. Users can create slides, improve layouts and generate content more quickly.
The update also extends to Microsoft Cowork, where GPT-5.6 can assist with more complex tasks involving multiple teams or projects. It can help users organise work, coordinate tasks and generate higher-quality outputs while reducing manual effort.
Nikunj Handa, Head of API Product at OpenAI, said, by bringing GPT-5.6 to Microsoft 365 Copilot through the OpenAI API, the company wants to help organisations get more value from AI while improving productivity across everyday work.
Overall, the rollout means Microsoft 365 users will soon have access to OpenAI’s most advanced AI model without leaving the apps they already use.
