How To Use Microsoft Copilot: Elevate Your Productivity With AI-Powered Assistance

October 8, 2024

Juggling multiple tasks and responsibilities can often feel overwhelming when you do business. You need technology that makes your day easier and helps your organization run smoothly.

Imagine if you had a tool that could manage repetitive tasks, streamline workflows, and even make sense of data with minimal effort. That’s where Microsoft Copilot comes in—an AI-powered solution designed to enhance your productivity and free you from endless to-dos.

Whether you're trying to maximize your team's output or struggling to keep up with the demands of growing your business, Microsoft 365 Copilot can help you reclaim your time. In this guide, we'll walk you through how this AI assistant works, its benefits, and, ultimately, how to use Microsoft Copilot.

What is Microsoft Copilot?

Microsoft Copilot is an AI-powered assistant built into the Microsoft 365 apps you already use, like Word, Excel, and Teams. But it’s more than just an extra feature—Copilot uses generative AI to understand and assist with complex tasks. Think of it as your new best friend in the digital workspace, helping you easily draft documents, summarize data, or even manage your inbox.

What makes Copilot unique is its ability to interact naturally with your inputs. Whether you’re typing out a complex formula in Excel or need to quickly organize your thoughts in PowerPoint, Copilot can automate your workflow.

By combining large language models with your data and apps, Microsoft 365 Copilot becomes an indispensable tool that understands context, learns your preferences, and adapts to your needs. It helps you get the best results while letting you focus on more strategic aspects of your business.

Employees learning how to use Microsoft Copilot.

Benefits of Microsoft Copilot for businesses

As a business owner, you understand that time and efficiency are your most valuable assets. That’s where Microsoft Copilot comes in. Imagine having an AI-powered assistant that simplifies routine tasks, allowing you to focus on scaling your business and driving growth. Here are a few ways Copilot can transform your day-to-day operations:

Boosted productivity

With Copilot, you can reduce time spent on administrative tasks like email management, document drafting, and data analysis. By handling these repetitive processes, Copilot allows you to prioritize more critical business decisions. Whether you’re editing a PowerPoint presentation or analyzing sales figures in Excel, Copilot works behind the scenes to enhance your output.

Streamlined workflows

Need to prepare for a Teams meeting or quickly access information across your organization? Copilot integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Teams, offering real-time insights and summaries. It even assists with business chats, making your virtual collaborations more effective.

AI technology for personalized support

One of Copilot’s biggest strengths is its ability to learn from your patterns and iterate its responses accordingly. This personalized approach helps businesses operate more smoothly, as Copilot aligns with your unique processes.

Cost efficiency and scalability

The more efficient your business becomes, the easier it is to scale. By leveraging the AI technology in Microsoft 365 Copilot, you save time and resources, which translates to long-term cost savings. Plus, as your business grows, Copilot scales with you, adapting to increased data and workloads without additional complexity.

Employees discussing how to use Microsoft Copilot.

Learn how to use Microsoft Copilot: The basics steps

Getting started with Microsoft Copilot in Microsoft 365 is easier than you might think. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you integrate this AI-powered assistant into your workflow:

Enable Copilot in Microsoft 365

First, open any Microsoft 365 app such as Word, Excel, or Teams. Look for the Copilot icon, typically located in the top toolbar. This icon may resemble a small robot or a helper symbol, depending on the app version.

If you don’t see the Copilot icon, make sure your Microsoft 365 apps are up to date by clicking File > Account > Update Options > Update Now. Once the update is complete, click the Copilot icon to activate it within your document, spreadsheet, or meeting.

Interact with Copilot

To get started, click on the Copilot icon, which will open a text box where you can type your commands or prompts. For example, if you’re in Word, type something like, “Summarize this document” or “Suggest improvements to this paragraph.”

In Excel, you can prompt Copilot by typing, “Create a pivot table for this data” or “Analyze the trends in this spreadsheet.” In Microsoft Teams, you might say, “Summarize the action items from this meeting” or “Draft an email based on this conversation.”

Hit Enter to see Copilot in action. You’ll get instant feedback and results right within the app you’re using.

Use Copilot in Microsoft Teams

Open Microsoft Teams and start a meeting or join an existing one. During the meeting, you’ll see the Copilot icon in the meeting toolbar. Click on it to open the assistant.

You can now prompt Copilot with specific instructions, like “Summarize the last 10 minutes of the discussion” or “Generate a to-do list based on today’s conversation.” After the meeting, Copilot will provide a concise summary, which you can review, edit, or share with your team directly from the Teams app.

Refine and iterate

As you continue using Microsoft Copilot, it learns your preferences. To refine any action or result, simply click the Refine button (located at the bottom of the Copilot window). For example, if Copilot drafts a document or report you’d like to tweak, you can request further adjustments by typing prompts like “Make this more concise” or “Add more detail about the budget.”

The more you interact with Copilot, the better it becomes at understanding your style and providing personalized recommendations.

Explore additional resources

If you want to learn more about Copilot’s capabilities, check out the Help & Support section in any Microsoft 365 app by clicking Help > Microsoft Support. You can also access Microsoft Learn, which offers tutorials and tips on how to make the most of Copilot features across Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more.

People discussing on implementing Microsoft Copilot.

Tips for using Microsoft Copilot

While Microsoft Copilot is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, a few tips can help you get even more out of this powerful tool. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to fine-tune your experience, these best practices will ensure you’re maximizing your productivity:

Start with clear, specific prompts

Copilot works best when you give direct and concise instructions. Instead of asking, “What can I do with this data?” try something more specific like, “Create a sales report comparing Q1 and Q2 revenue.” The clearer your prompt, the faster and more accurate Copilot can respond.

Leverage Copilot for data insights

If you’re working with large datasets, Copilot can save you hours of manual labor by analyzing data for you. Simply type a prompt like, “What are the key trends in this data?” or “Create a pie chart showing customer demographics,” and Copilot will handle the rest.

Integrate Copilot into your daily workflow

Don’t just use Copilot occasionally—integrate it into your everyday processes. Start your morning by asking Copilot to summarize your most important emails or generate a task list from your latest Teams meeting. The more you use Copilot, the better it becomes at anticipating your needs.

Stay up-to-date on new features

Microsoft Copilot is continuously evolving, with new features and capabilities being rolled out. To ensure you’re getting the most out of it, keep your Microsoft 365 apps updated, and check out Microsoft Learn for the latest tutorials and best practices.

Test different use cases

Don’t be afraid to experiment. Whether it’s drafting a business proposal in Word, analyzing quarterly profits in Excel, or scheduling tasks in Outlook, Copilot is designed to handle a wide variety of tasks across your Microsoft 365 apps. Explore different use cases to see how Copilot can best serve your business needs.

By applying these tips, you’ll get the most value out of Microsoft Copilot. The more you know how to use Microsoft Copilot, the more you’ll realize how much time and effort it can save, allowing you to focus on what truly matters—growing your business.

Improving your business technology with Techlocity

Improving business tech with Techlocity

If you want to take your business technology to the next level, having the right IT partner can make all the difference. Implementing tools like Microsoft Copilot is just the beginning. What you need is a team that understands how to align technology with your business goals, ensuring everything runs seamlessly and securely. That’s where we come in.

With over 15 years of experience providing expert IT support, Techlocity specializes in proactive IT solutions that keep your business ahead of the curve. From managed IT services to infrastructure and cloud solutions, our team has the expertise to integrate advanced technology like Microsoft Copilot into your daily operations—without the hassle.

Final thoughts

Microsoft Copilot isn’t just an AI assistant; it’s a game-changer for businesses looking to optimize their workflows, improve efficiency, and reduce time spent on mundane tasks. By leveraging the power of Microsoft Copilot, you can empower your team to focus on strategic work, driving your business forward.

Integrating Copilot into your daily routine doesn’t have to be difficult. With the right steps and tips, you’ll find that this AI-powered tool can enhance your productivity in ways you never imagined.

If you want to know more about how to use Microsoft Copilot or get your business to new heights, let's talk.

Frequently asked questions

What is Microsoft 365 Copilot?

Microsoft 365 Copilot is an AI-powered assistant embedded in various Microsoft 365 apps, such as Word, Excel, and Teams. It helps automate tasks, analyze data, and streamline workflows to improve productivity across your organization.

How does Copilot work with Microsoft 365?

Copilot for Microsoft 365 integrates seamlessly with tools like Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams, using your data to perform tasks like drafting documents, creating charts, and even organizing meeting notes. It's designed to work with various Microsoft products, including Microsoft Graph, to provide relevant insights and assistance.

How can I use Copilot in Windows 11?

To use Copilot in Windows 11, simply open any Microsoft 365 app, like Word or Excel, and click the Copilot icon. You can prompt Copilot to perform tasks such as creating summaries, generating charts, or analyzing data. You’ll need a Microsoft account to access these features.

Can I use Copilot in Teams for business chats?

Yes. Copilot in Teams can summarize conversations, generate action items, and create meeting minutes. It can even be used during copilot business chat to streamline collaboration across your team.

Is Microsoft Edge compatible with Copilot?

Yes, Copilot works smoothly with the Edge browser. You can use Copilot with Microsoft Edge to assist in browsing-related tasks, such as summarizing articles, gathering insights, or organizing data while navigating between pages.