MC1540513

Microsoft SharePoint Online and OneDrive for the web: Updated search experience with Copilot Search

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Major Update: This post contains a significant change that may impact your organisation.

What and why

We are updating the search experience in SharePoint Online and OneDrive on the web to align with the Copilot Search experience across Microsoft 365. This updated experience allows users to search using natural-language prompts and combines relevant search results, AI-generated summaries with source references, and filters. By bringing SharePoint and OneDrive onto a common search interface, we are providing a more consistent and familiar search experience across Microsoft 365.

Rollout schedule

  • Frontier Preview (Worldwide): Rollout began in mid-October 2026 and is expected to complete by mid-January 2027.
  • General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout begins in mid-January 2027 and is expected to complete by mid-April 2027.

Impact on your organization

Who is affected

  • Users who search for content in SharePoint Online and OneDrive on the web

Platforms and services

  • SharePoint Online
  • OneDrive on the web

What will happen

  • Users will see a modernized search experience aligned with Copilot Search across Microsoft 365. Please note that, while the core experience is shared, some AI-powered capabilities are available based on licensing.
  • SharePoint Online and OneDrive on the web will use a common search interface, providing a more consistent experience regardless of where users begin their search.
  • During the Frontier Preview period, SharePoint Online and OneDrive on the web will provide an opt-out option if users determine a critical search feature they rely on is unavailable.

Modernized search experiences in SharePoint and OneDrive

SharePoint search
OneDrive search

Action required and recommendations

No significant deployment work is required. We recommend that you test any custom search experiences or integrations that may be affected by the updated search experience. If your organization needs more time to prepare for this change, options are available to defer the new experience at the tenant and individual site level.

Learn more

We will publish new documentation prior to General Availability release.

Compliance considerations

No compliance considerations identified. Review as appropriate for your organization.