Introduction to Microsoft 365 Copilot

Microsoft 365 Copilot is a smart Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool that helps boost productivity in Microsoft apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams.

Built directly into these apps, Copilot works as an assistant. It gives real-time tips, automates tasks, and makes workflows easier.

This article will explore what Microsoft 365 Copilot is, how it can help you work more efficiently, and how much it costs.

Table of contents

1. What is Microsoft 365 Copilot?
2. Microsoft 365 Copilot process
3. How can Microsoft 365 Copilot improve your productivity?
4. Getting started: How to use Microsoft 365 Copilot
5. Pricing for Microsoft 365 Copilot
6. Why Microsoft 365 Copilot is worth considering
7. Final Thoughts: Is Microsoft 365 Copilot right for you?

What is Microsoft 365 Copilot?

Microsoft 365 Copilot is more than a basic AI tool. It uses large language models (LLM) like GPT (the tech behind ChatGPT) combined with your Microsoft 365 data, including emails, calendars, and documents.

It works within Microsoft apps to help you create content, summarise info, analyse data, and reply to emails faster.

Whether you’re writing a report, working with data, or managing your inbox, Copilot gives you tips and insights based on the app you’re using.

It's designed to fit naturally into your workflow, making you more productive with less effort.

Microsoft 365 Copilot process

Microsoft 365 Copilot follows a simple process called RAG: Retrieve, Augment, and Generate.

First, it retrieves information from your documents, emails, and calendars.

Then, it augments or improves that information by analysing it to find key points or trends.

Finally, it generates useful results, like summaries, drafts, or charts.

This step-by-step approach helps Copilot give you smart suggestions that fit exactly what you need in the moment, making your work easier and faster.

How can Microsoft 365 Copilot improve your productivity?

Microsoft 365 Copilot offers a range of features to make your daily tasks easier. Below are some ways it can improve productivity in key applications.

Word: Draft documents faster

With Copilot integrated into Word, you can generate entire drafts, summarise documents, and even refine your writing style.

Simply provide a prompt, and Copilot can generate text based on your instructions. It can also suggest edits, rewrite sections for clarity, and ensure your tone matches your intent.

Excel: Analyse data with ease

In Excel, Copilot simplifies data analysis by generating insights, suggesting charts, and even writing complex formulas for you.

You can ask questions like, "What are the key trends in this data?" and it will provide a clear summary. This saves time, especially if you’re not an Excel expert.

PowerPoint: Create presentations in minutes

Copilot in PowerPoint helps design presentations by generating slides based on your content.

You can input ideas or even existing Word documents, and it will automatically create slides with relevant designs, layouts, and key points highlighted. It can also suggest images and icons to enhance your presentation.

Outlook: Manage emails efficiently

Email management becomes more streamlined with Copilot in Outlook.

It can help draft responses, summarise long email threads, and prioritise important messages. This is particularly useful for those who deal with high volumes of emails and need to quickly address key issues.

Teams: Run more effective meetings

In Teams, Copilot helps with meeting summaries, action item tracking, and real-time note-taking. It can also help you prepare for meetings by summarising relevant documents and highlighting key discussion points.

Getting started: How to use Microsoft 365 Copilot

Using Microsoft 365 Copilot in Word is simple because it’s built right into the app. Once turned on, Copilot appears as a helpful sidebar ready to assist you. Here’s how to start:

• Open Word: Launch Word like you usually do.
• Find Copilot: You’ll see Copilot in the toolbar on your screen.
• Give it a task: For example, if you have a long report, you can ask “Summarise this document.” Copilot will create a summary for you.
• Adjust the result: If the summary needs tweaking, you can refine it until it matches what you want.
• Explore more features: Try different prompts, like “Rewrite this paragraph to make it clearer”, and see how Copilot can enhance your writing.

Pricing for Microsoft 365 Copilot

Microsoft 365 Copilot is offered as an add-on to existing Microsoft 365 subscriptions. Pricing can vary depending on your organisation’s size and needs.

As of now, Microsoft has announced that Copilot will be available at a price of around £24.70 per user per month.

This cost is on top of your standard Microsoft 365 plan, so it’s essential to factor that into your budgeting.

Why Microsoft 365 Copilot is worth considering

Microsoft 365 Copilot makes work easier by handling complex tasks, improving documents, and saving time. Here’s why it’s worth considering:

• Better efficiency: Copilot takes care of routine tasks and offers smart tips, so that you can focus on more important work. For instance, EPAM Systems boosted productivity and simplified their workflow using Copilot, see their story here.
• Accessibility for all skill levels: You don’t have to be a tech expert to use Copilot. It’s designed to be intuitive, making advanced features accessible to all users.
• Seamless integration: Copilot works where you work—in the Microsoft apps you already know and use, without the need to learn a new platform.

Final thoughts: Is Microsoft 365 Copilot right for you?

If you often use Microsoft 365 apps and want to work more efficiently, Microsoft 365 Copilot is worth trying.

Whether you manage large data in Excel, write content in Word, or lead projects in Teams, Copilot offers personalised help to improve your workflow.

Though there’s an extra cost, the time and effort saved can make it a smart investment, especially for those who depend on Microsoft 365 every day.

With AI features built into your apps, Microsoft 365 Copilot is designed to change how you work, making tasks easier and quicker.