{
"$type": "site.standard.document",
"description": "Starting early to mid-February 2026, Outlook for iOS and Android on iPads may open Word, Excel, and PowerPoint attachments directly in their apps if installed, replacing the in-app previewer. This experiment affects iPad users only, requires no admin action, and may not be permanent.",
"path": "/m365-message-center/message/mc1227071/",
"publishedAt": "2026-02-05T01:00:10.000Z",
"site": "https://blog.tophhie.cloud",
"textContent": "**Introduction**\n\nWe’re conducting an experiment that changes how Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file attachments open in Outlook for iOS and Android. For **iPad users only,** these files may open directly in the Word, Excel, or PowerPoint apps when they are installed, instead of using the in-app previewer.\n\n**When this will happen:**\n\nGeneral Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCCH, DoD): We will begin rolling out this experiment in **early to mid-February 2026** and expect to decide whether to proceed with or stop the rollout by the **late March 2026**.\n\n**How this affects your organization:**\n\n**Who is affected:**\n\n * Users on **iPad devices** running Outlook who have the Word, Excel, or PowerPoint apps installed.\n\n\n\n**What will happen:**\n\n * Some iPad users will find that Word, Excel, and PowerPoint attachments open directly in the corresponding app.\n * Users without the Office apps installed will continue to use the in-app previewer.\n * This is an experiment and may not become permanent.\n * No admin configuration is required.\n\n\n\n**What you can do to prepare:**\n\n * No action is required.\n * You may choose to notify iPad users or update internal help documentation.\n\n\n\n**Compliance considerations:**\n\nNo compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.",
"title": "MC1227071: Files in Outlook for iOS and Android will open in Word, Excel or Powerpoint app on iPad",
"updatedAt": "2026-02-05T01:00:10.000Z"
}