Claude can now work across apps to coordinate between the Excel, PowerPoint, and Word add-ins. Instead of switching between apps and providing context each time, Claude can read from one app and make changes in another. For example, you can ask Claude to analyze data in an Excel workbook, then create a presentation in PowerPoint using those results, without copying and pasting between apps.
Requirements
A paid Claude plan (Pro, Max, Team, or Enterprise)
The Claude for Excel add-in installed from the Microsoft Marketplace
The Claude for PowerPoint add-in installed from the Microsoft Marketplace
The Claude for Word add-in installed from the Microsoft Marketplace
Let Claude work across apps
1. Install the add-ins
Get Claude for Excel, Claude for PowerPoint, and Claude for Word from the Microsoft Marketplace. Open each app and activate the add-in at least once before using the cross-app features.
2. Toggle the setting on
Note: If you're a member of a Team or Enterprise plan, an organization owner needs to go to Organization settings > Office agents and toggle the Let Claude work across apps setting on before you can enable this capability individually.
Go to Settings in each of Claude for Excel and Powerpoint and toggle Let Claude work across files on:
Note: This setting is default on for Pro and Max plans and default off for Team and Enterprise plans.
You'll see connected file indicators when Excel, PowerPoint, or Word files are linked to your session:
How it works
When you describe a task that involves multiple files or apps, Claude coordinates behind the scenes:
Claude uses the Excel and PowerPoint add-ins to read from and write to open files.
Context transfers between apps automatically, so you don't need to copy and paste information manually.
You stay in one place while Claude does the switching.
What you can do
Read and write across open files
Claude can read data from an open Excel workbook, PowerPoint presentation, or Word document, and make changes to them directly. For example:
Pull numbers from an Excel model into a PowerPoint slide or a Word memo.
Update a chart in PowerPoint with the latest figures from Excel.
Read content from a presentation and use it to populate a spreadsheet.
Summarize a Word document into PowerPoint slides.
Draft a Word memo using data from an Excel workbook.
Pass context between apps
When Claude works across multiple files in Excel, PowerPoint, and Word, it carries relevant context forward. If you've been building a financial model in Excel and ask Claude to create a summary deck or draft an investment memo, Claude already understands the model's structure and key outputs, so you don't need to re-explain.
Skills work across apps too
Skills you've enabled in your Claude settings apply when Claude is working in Excel, PowerPoint, or Word during a cross-app task. If you have a Skill that enforces your team's modeling conventions in Excel and another that matches your slide template in PowerPoint, Claude uses each one in the right app as it moves through the workflow.
For more on how Skills work, see Use Skills in Claude.
Data handling
Inputs and outputs are automatically deleted from Anthropic's backend within 30 days of receipt or generation, except in cases outlined in How long do you store my organization's data? The Claude for Excel, Claude for PowerPoint, and Claude for Word add-ins do not inherit custom data retention settings your organization may have set, and activity is not currently included in Enterprise audit logs, the Compliance API, or data exports. Chat history is not saved between sessions.
For admins who want to manage access
Team and Enterprise organization owners can control whether team members can access this capability:
Toggle Let Claude work across apps on or off.
Admins can also manage member access to the Claude for Excel, PowerPoint, and Word add-ins through the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.
Current limitations
Claude can only read from and write to files that are currently open in Excel, PowerPoint, or Word.
Claude cannot create, open, close, or switch files directly from the add-ins—the files and add-ins must be open with the feature turned on.
Chat history for cross-app sessions is not saved between sessions.
Troubleshooting
Claude doesn't see my open file
Make sure the add-in is activated in the app (Tools > Add-ins on Mac or Home > Add-ins on Windows) and that working across apps is turned on in Claude Desktop settings.
Changes aren't appearing in the other app
Claude works on open files in sequence. Wait for Claude to finish its current action, then check the target file. You may need to ask Claude to refresh or re-read the file.