Tools and ways of working
Copilot in Microsoft 365: where it helps
Work in Outlook, Word, Excel and Teams? AI may already be in your software. Where Copilot helps, and what to watch out for.
5 min read
If your business uses Microsoft 365, Copilot is often the most obvious AI assistant. Its big advantage: it works in the programs you already use, with your work account.
Where it helps
- Outlook: summarising long email threads, preparing a reply.
- Teams: summarising meetings and listing actions, if recording or transcription is on with participants' consent.
- Word: producing a first draft, summarising or rewriting a document.
- Excel: suggesting formulas, analysing and explaining data.
- PowerPoint: building a presentation from a document.
Licence and access
What Copilot can do depends on your Microsoft licence. Some features are available with your normal work account; others need a separate licence. Check what's in your plan before you decide.
Work account, not personal
Always use Copilot for work with your work account. Your organisation's terms then apply. With your work account, Copilot can also draw on files and emails you have access to.
Watch out for
- Access rights: Copilot sees what you're allowed to see. If files are shared too widely, information can surface for people who shouldn't see it. Check sharing permissions in your organisation.
- Recordings and transcripts only with everyone's consent.
- Checking: summaries can miss details.
Checklist
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Prompt to copy
Summarise this email thread in five points: what's being asked, by whom, by when, what's been decided and what I still need to do. Then suggest a short reply I can adjust.
