Microsoft Copilot Chat: Work vs Web toggle explained

If you've ever used Microsoft Copilot Chat with a Microsoft 365 Copilot add-on license, you may have noticed a toggle at the top of the screen, split into two sides: one that reads ‘Work’ and one that reads ‘Web.’  

Don’t see this? Don’t worry. As of August 2025, you won’t see this if you don’t have an add-on license.  

These tabs in Copilot are designed to help you navigate two very different types of information: one rooted in your company’s internal data, and the other drawn from the broader internet.  

Understanding how these tabs work - and when to use each - can make a big difference in how effectively you find answers, generate content, or make decisions. Whether you're drafting a report, researching a new topic, or compiling a to-do list, knowing the difference between Work and Web helps you get the most out of Copilot.  

In this blog, we will break down what each tab does, how they source their information, and when to use them to your advantage. 

Microsoft Copilot Chat Work Tab 

By selecting the ‘Work’ tab at the top of the Microsoft Copilot Chat page, Copilot uses the Microsoft Graph to connect directly to your own Microsoft 365 data. Allowing it to reason over your emails, documents, meetings, and more.  

You should use this tab when you want assistance or support on working with things that sit within your existing Microsoft 365 environment. 

You could give Copilot prompts like: 

• When is my next meeting with [Colleague Name]? 

• Summarise messages from my manager in the last 48 hours 

• Help me prepare for my upcoming meeting: [Meeting Name] 

• What is the latest from [Colleague Name]? 

• Take [document] and list key points from it  

Toggling over to 'Work' is great for boosting productivity, preparing you for meetings, and keeping you on top of the work that is taking place across your organisation.  

Microsoft Copilot Chat Work Tab 

Alternatively, by selecting the ‘Web’ tab, Copilot will pull answers from the wider internet. This mode combines the power of generative AI with the most relevant ad up-to-date information from the web.  

You might use it for finding recent stats, researching certain topics, and keeping up-to-date with the latest news. You can also use it to generate content like blog posts, reports, training materials and other documents, using existing information from the internet rather than your own Microsoft 365 data.  

You could give Copilot prompts such as:  

• Rewrite this piece of content to make it more concise and engaging

• Are there any current global events that could impact our supply chain? 

• Give me a list of benefits of using AI tools at work  

• I’ve got a marketing meeting coming up about a trade show, can you suggest an engaging agenda?  

• Give me some stats from recent research about the use of AI at work