In short. Copilot sends a short Bing query informed by the prompt or file, while excluding the full prompt and file except for very short prompts.
Definition: No. As of 17 October 2026, Microsoft documents that Copilot creates a short Bing query from a few words in the prompt or an uploaded file. The full prompt or file is not used as the query unless the prompt is already very short.
Key facts
- Microsoft's web search help says Copilot generates a short query based on the prompt and sends it to Bing.
- Microsoft's web access and privacy documentation says the generated query is different from the original prompt and consists of a few words informed by it.
- Microsoft's Copilot Chat privacy documentation says additional terms from an uploaded file may be sent when Copilot Chat needs them to understand the prompt.
- The same documentation lists entire uploaded files among the information excluded from the generated query.
What does Copilot send to Bing?
When web search is enabled, Copilot parses the prompt, identifies terms for which web information could improve the answer, and generates a query for Bing. Microsoft's web access documentation describes the query as different from the original prompt and says it consists of a few words informed by the prompt. Bing then returns information that Copilot can use to compose its response.
The support article gives the operational summary: Copilot generates a Bing search query using a few words from the prompt or from an uploaded file. The result is a search query derived from the request, rather than a transcript of the request. Microsoft does not publish a token or character limit for the words "short" or "few words" on these pages.
Does a file become part of the Bing query?
Microsoft's documentation separates using a file to understand a request from sending the file itself. It lists entire Microsoft 365 files and files uploaded into Copilot among the information that is not included in the generated query. The Copilot Chat privacy page adds that terms from uploaded files may be sent when Copilot Chat needs them to understand the prompt.
Microsoft gives this example for a prompt that refers to an internal strategy document and asks about a public announcement:
Fabrikam clean energy policy announcements
The documented explanation says Copilot identifies "clean energy policy" as a major theme and adds it to the generated query. The document itself is not included. Copilot then compares the web results with the strategy described in the internal document.
How can you inspect the query?
The support page says a Sources button appears below a response when Copilot uses web search. Selecting it shows the exact query sent to Bing and the sources used. Microsoft's web access documentation also says the linked citation section shows the exact web search queries derived from the prompt.
The availability depends on the Copilot surface. Microsoft documents web search query citations for Copilot Chat and says the queries are available in the chat thread for 24 hours. The same documentation says citations are not available in the Copilot pane inside a Microsoft 365 application such as Word or PowerPoint.
What else is excluded from the query?
Microsoft says generated queries are sent to Bing with user and tenant identifiers removed. Its documentation gives usernames, domains, and tenant IDs as examples of identifying information based on a user's Microsoft Entra ID. The same page says web search queries sent to Bing do not affect search ranking, rich captions, autosuggest, trending, or zero input.
Related terms
FAQ
Does Copilot Chat send an uploaded document to Bing?
No. Microsoft says the entire uploaded file is excluded from the generated query, while terms from the file may inform the query when Copilot Chat needs them to understand the prompt.
Can the full prompt be the Bing query?
Only when the prompt is already very short. Microsoft's example is “New York City weather”; otherwise the documentation describes a few words derived from the prompt.
Can I see the exact query Copilot sent?
In Copilot Chat, open the linked citation section or select Sources below a response that used web search. Microsoft says the exact queries are visible in the chat thread for 24 hours.
Sources
- Microsoft Support, "How web search works in Microsoft Copilot Chat and agents", undated, accessed 17 October 2026
- Microsoft Learn, "Data, privacy, and security for web search in Microsoft Copilot and Microsoft Copilot Chat", undated, accessed 17 October 2026
- Microsoft Learn, "Microsoft Copilot Chat Privacy and Protections", undated, accessed 17 October 2026
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