Insights
Microsoft Copilot in Outlook, Teams, Excel and PowerPoint: practical uses
Microsoft 365 Copilot is built into the apps professionals use every day, and what it can do differs per app. Below is an overview of common uses. Available features depend on your licence and your organisation's settings, and Microsoft expands them regularly.
Copilot in Outlook
In Outlook, Copilot can summarise a long email thread so you quickly see what was discussed. It can also draft a reply, with the tone or length you specify. Always read a draft before sending it.
Copilot in Teams
In Teams meetings with transcription or recording switched on, Copilot can summarise the discussion, list action items and answer questions about the meeting. In chats, it can summarise a long conversation.
Copilot in Excel
In Excel, Copilot helps you explore data: it can suggest formulas, point out trends or outliers and propose charts or PivotTables. It works best with well-structured data, for example formatted as a table. Always check formulas and conclusions yourself.
Copilot in PowerPoint
In PowerPoint, Copilot can build a first draft of a presentation from a prompt or an existing document, summarise a deck or help rework slides. The result is a starting point: content and design still need your input.
Learning to use Copilot across apps
Across all apps, the result depends heavily on how you phrase your request and what information you provide. And in every app, checking the answer remains your responsibility.
Want to practise this with your own files and tasks? Explore our Microsoft Copilot training.