Is Copilot really included in Office 2024?
With Microsoft's promotion of AI as the future of productivity, many users and IT buyers are wondering: does Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus come with Copilot as standard? The answer is more complex than a simple yes or no. If you're expecting AI-powered writing, data analysis or presentation tools straight away, you might be disappointed.
In this post, we explain the facts about AI licensing in Office 2024, what „Copilot“ really means, how it is offered and what your license actually includes. If you are considering a purchase or already have the Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus License for 3 devices this guide will help you understand which AI functions you can access - and which you cannot.
What is Microsoft Copilot?
Copilot is Microsoft's AI-powered assistant, integrated into apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams. It can:
- Writing e-mails, reports or summaries
- Create PowerPoint presentations from Word documents
- Create and analyze Excel charts with natural language
- Automate meeting notes and task lists in teams
But here's the catch: Copilot is not a free add-on in Office 2024.
Is Copilot included in Office 2024 Professional Plus?
The short answer: No, not by default
Nevertheless, the most advanced suite in the Microsoft portfolio, Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus contains Copilot not out of the box. Microsoft positions Copilot as separate additional subscription, not as an integrated function of Office 2024.
What is actually included?
When you purchase Office 2024 Professional Plus, you will receive:
- One-time purchase for 3 devices
- Lifetime license (no subscription)
- Access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Publisher, Access and OneNote
- No native AI integration or co-pilot support
To be able to use Microsoft 365 Copilot, you generally need:
- A Microsoft-365 subscription (E3, E5 or Business Standard)
- One Copilot license (currently 30 USD/user/month)
You can find more information on the prices of Microsoft Copilot at Microsoft's official page.
Common myths about Copilot and Office 2024
1st myth: Copilot is included free of charge in Office 2024 Pro Plus.
Fact: It is a separate paid service and requires a Microsoft-365 environment.
2nd myth: Office 2024 has the same functions as Microsoft 365.
Fact: Office 2024 is a stand-alone product without Cloud AI integration.
Myth 3: You can activate Copilot by upgrading from Office 2024.
Fact: You would have to go to Microsoft 365 change, not just perform an upgrade.
Why Microsoft has chosen a separate AI license
Microsoft's reasons are both technical and strategic:
- Infrastructure: Copilot requires access to Microsoft Graph, OneDrive and Teams - all cloud services from M365.
- Revenue model: Positioning Copilot as a premium add-on supports recurring revenue.
- User control: Companies can decide who gets AI access - helpful for compliance and cost control.
AI alternatives if you use Office 2024 Standalone
If you don't want to switch to Microsoft 365, there are some Third-party AI tools, which you can combine with Office 2024:
- Grammarly - For writing, clarity and tonality in Word or Outlook
- ChatGPT Web - For content creation, summaries and analysis outside of Office
- Power BI Desktop (free of charge) - For data visualization instead of Excel Copilot
These cannot completely replace Copilot, but offer useful support without a full M365 migration.
License comparison: Copilot vs. Office 2024 Pro Plus
| Function | Office 2024 Pro Plus | Microsoft 365 + copilot |
| One-off payment | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (subscription) |
| Cloud AI assistant (Copilot) | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Internet/cloud integration | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Best suited for | Offline users, SMEs | Large teams, AI-intensive workflows |
Conclusion: Know what you are really paying for
Microsoft's branding around Copilot can be confusing. Office 2024 Professional Plus is a powerful suite - but it contains none AI functions. If you buy it and expect Copilot, you might be disappointed.
Before investing, check whether you have a stand-alone one-time license or a abo-based AI experience prefer. For many users, the clarity lies in choosing the right product for their needs.
For more detailed analyses and expert comparisons, visit winandofficews.
FAQ: Microsoft Office 2024 Copilot licensing
Q1: Can I add Copilot to Office 2024 Pro Plus later?
No. Copilot is not supported in the standalone Office suite. You need a Microsoft-365 plan.
Q2: Does Copilot work offline?
No. Copilot is based on cloud services, including Microsoft Graph and Azure AI. It requires constant internet connection.
Q3: Is Copilot available in all regions and languages?
Microsoft is rolling it out worldwide, but availability may vary. Check the official availability page for updates.
