The news: OpenAI is preparing to launch a suite of office productivity tools that could let users bypass tools from Microsoft.

• Users will be able to build and modify presentations and spreadsheets that are compatible with PowerPoint and Excel, per The Information—without using Microsoft’s own apps.
• ChatGPT agents can also “generate reports based on corporate or public data” and manage routine tasks like scheduling and making appointments.

OpenAI hasn’t announced a release date.

All in one: Integrating office features with OpenAI’s existing tools—its agentic web browser and traditional chatbots—could turn ChatGPT into a killer app. Users could complete work tasks, search the internet, shop, and manage personal errands, all without leaving ChatGPT’s interface.

The app recently passed 900 million downloads, according to SensorTower, per Bloomberg, compared with Copilot’s 79 million. Even limited adoption of OpenAI’s office tools by its userbase could seriously undercut competitors’ growth.

Rivals in the field: ChatGPT already challenges Google in search, and these tools could help OpenAI take on Google Workspace in addition to Microsoft Office.

Both platforms have integrated AI tools, like image and text generation, to enhance use cases and subscription offerings. Combining productivity and generative AI (genAI) in ChatGPT could make other subscriptions less attractive.

Driving a wedge: This effort could also strain OpenAI’s relationship with Microsoft, which is reportedly already on the rocks.

Excel and PowerPoint file formats are open source, meaning OpenAI can work with them without Microsoft’s permission, per The Information. But Microsoft could require its apps be used within OpenAI’s productivity suite before it signs off on the latter’s plan to become a public benefit corporation (PBC).

Yes, but: Some core features of Copilot and other traditional productivity apps may not be available.

• Collaboration: OpenAI doesn’t have tools like 365 and Slack that permit multiple users to work on and talk about documents within the app.
• Storage: OpenAI lacks a file library system—chatbot discussions are permanently deleted from its systems after 30 days, for example—which could make long-term projects difficult to execute within the interface.

Our take: This suite could position OpenAI as a serious contender in the office software space, bypassing years of Microsoft and Google development. Companies using ChatGPT could improve workflows by managing documents, generating content, and executing repetitive tasks from a single interface.

However, considering many enterprises are deeply entrenched in existing workflows or other AI tools, OpenAI may need to target individual employees rather than companies.