💡 Our Technical Review in summary
Summary
- This update introduces an enhanced method for referencing work content within Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat using the ‘/’ (forward slash) command.
- Users can now search for and link specific files and emails directly in their prompts to improve the accuracy and grounding of Copilot responses.
- Critical Update: As of December 17, 2025, Microsoft clarified that referencing emails via the ‘/’ command is exclusively available when using Copilot Chat within Outlook (both the full application and the side pane).
- The rollout for email integration is expected to be completed by the end of January 2026. File referencing is already currently available.
Impact
- User Experience: Prompt creation is streamlined as users no longer need to manually upload documents or copy-paste text to provide context. Suggested prompts will also dynamically include relevant files or emails based on user activity.
- Data Security: The feature respects existing Microsoft 365 permissions. Users can only search for and reference content they already have explicit permission to access based on Microsoft Graph signals.
- Outlook Specificity: Admins should note that while file referencing works across Copilot Chat interfaces, the email referencing capability is localized to the Outlook environment.
- Licensing Distinction: Users with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license benefit from full Graph grounding in the “Work” scope. Users without a license remain grounded in the web but can still use the ‘/’ command to manually include specific files for reasoning.
Action Required
- No Admin Configuration: This feature is enabled by default, and no changes to tenant settings or user permissions are required.
- User Training: It is recommended to update internal guidance documentation to inform users of the ‘/’ shortcut. Specifically, highlight that they must be in Outlook to reference emails using this method.
- Compliance Review: Verify that your organization’s data governance policies are up to date, as this feature makes it easier for users to bring internal data into generative AI conversations.
Microsoft Official Update
Service: N/A
Category: planForChange
Severity: normal
Updated December 17, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Access to emails by typing ‘/’ in the prompt box will only be available when using Copilot Chat in Outlook. This applies to both the full app and side pane experience. Thank you for your patience.
We’re enhancing Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat with new capabilities that make it easier for users to include work content—such as files and emails—in their prompts. By typing ‘/’ in the prompt box, users can quickly search and reference relevant files or emails, streamlining prompt creation and improving Copilot responses. Additionally, some suggested prompts beneath the input box will now include relevant files or emails to help users get started quickly.
Note: For users without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license, Copilot Chat is still grounded only in the web. Users can also choose to include additional content in the prompt for Copilot to reason over, such as with the methods described above. Chat is not automatically grounded in the organization’s graph or the user’s personal graph – this is only available for users with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license when using Chat in Work scope.
This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 500377.
When this will happen:
- Files: Currently available (Roadmap ID 497112)
- Emails: Rollout begins early October 2025 (previously mid-September) and completes by end of January 2026 (previously late November 2025). Roadmap ID 500377.
How this affects your organization:
This update improves usability and prompt relevance in Copilot Chat by allowing users to reference files and emails in their prompts (without uploading them manually) or as part of suggested prompts under the input box. Users will only see content they have access to, based on interaction signals (such as accessed, modified, or shared) and properties (such as creation or last update date).
No changes to default settings or user permissions are required.
What you can do to prepare:
No admin action is required. You may want to inform your users about the new reference capabilities.
Learn more: Using Context IQ to refer to specific files, people, and more in Microsoft 365 Copilot and Copilot Chat
Compliance considerations
