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Getting the Most Out of Microsoft Copilot

Written by David Eichkorn | Jul 10, 2024 3:15:00 PM

Early adopters of Microsoft® Copilot have been impressed with this comprehensive AI-enabled integration for Microsoft’s suite of tools. In fact, in a recent survey, 70% of respondents said that Copilot helped them be more productive and 68% felt that Copilot improved the quality of their work.

If you're looking for a way to revolutionize the way your team accomplishes administrative tasks - and take your PC-based business to new heights - consider unlocking the full potential of Copilot.

You'll be equipped not only to boost productivity and creativity but to streamline your decision-making process. This innovative AI integration isn't just a tool—it's a game-changer that will transform the way you approach tasks across the entire Microsoft 365 suite of applications.

In this article, we will cover the following topics:

Exploring the Core Features of Copilot


By leveraging the power of a large language model, Copilot becomes your virtual assistant, aiding in tasks across Microsoft 365 applications (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, etc.).

Here are some suggestions that show how you can leverage the power of Copilot:

  • Draft content or revise existing content
  • Translate content into other languages
  • Identify trends, anomalies or patterns in data
  • Automate repetitive tasks
  • Create charts, graphs or tables
  • Manage your calendar
  • Generate meeting summaries and action items

It’s important to note that, with its adaptive learning capabilities, Copilot's assistance becomes more personalized – more “in tune” with you – over time. The more you interact with Copilot, the better it becomes at anticipating your needs and preferences.

RELATED ARTICLE: Case Study Highlights Teams as Complete Collaboration Solution

Maximizing Office Productivity with Copilot


Imagine having an assistant who knows your work style and helps you use the capabilities of Microsoft 365 to its full extent. Copilot's AI is that assistant.

Let’s use the Microsoft Word app as an example to show how Copilot can increase your office productivity.

In Word, Copilot can give a fresh perspective to older documents, offering suggestions for content, summarizing lengthy materials and ensuring adherence to online accessibility standards. It doesn't stop there. Copilot can translate your content, polish your style and even help with research – all within the familiar interface of Word.

In fact, Copilot works with all of the Microsoft 365 applications. Wondering what Copilot can do in Excel?

When it comes to Excel, Copilot is the analytical whiz you've always wanted. It can identify patterns, perform natural language calculations and automate the mundane tasks that eat up your time. Need a forecast or a complex formula? Copilot can handle it, making the power of Excel's data manipulation accessible to everyone, no matter their level of technical expertise.

Crafting Effective Prompts for Optimal AI Performance

To get the best out of Copilot, you need to communicate effectively. Think of Copilot as a partner that's only as good as the instructions it receives. Therefore, mastering the art of prompt crafting is essential. Specific, detailed requests yield the most accurate responses. If the outcome isn't what you would like, rephrase and refine your prompt. This process ensures that the AI's output aligns closely with your objectives.

And remember: verification is key. Always review Copilot's suggestions to ensure they meet your standards. With practice, your prompts will become more intuitive and Copilot's responses will become more precise, leading to a coordinated and efficient workflow.

Enhancing Team Collaboration Using Copilot

In today's landscape of remote and hybrid work, maintaining team synergy can be challenging. Copilot serves as a hub for collaboration, allowing team members to concurrently work on documents, spreadsheets and presentations. Real-time suggestions and edits are visible to all, fostering an environment where ideas and feedback flow seamlessly.

Copilot not only breaks down communication barriers, but also ensures that your team's creative process is synchronized, secure and productive. This AI-powered collaboration is set to redefine teamwork, facilitating a workspace where distance is no longer an obstacle on the path toward innovation and organizational success.

Ensuring Enterprise-Grade Security and Compliance with Copilot

Security and compliance are non-negotiable in today's business environment. Powered by Azure OpenAI Service, Copilot is built to meet the stringent security standards that Microsoft is known for. Advanced encryption and secure data handling are at the core of Copilot's design, ensuring that your sensitive information remains protected.

Furthermore, Copilot is configurable to align with your organization's specific security, compliance and privacy policies. This offers peace of mind while you leverage the power of AI in Microsoft 365. With Copilot, you can be confident that your organization's integrity is upheld as you harness the potential of artificial intelligence.

Want to learn more about what Microsoft Copilot can do for your company? Download Elevity’s primer, How to Get Started with Microsoft Copilot. This user's guide to leveraging AI for business shows you how Copilot works and explains how it will transform your business operations.