Microsoft Copilot is an AI-powered assistant integrated into Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, and Outlook. Priced at $30 per user per month, it helps users save time and work more efficiently by automating repetitive tasks, analyzing data, and drafting content. Here’s a quick look at how it improves productivity:
- Word: Drafts documents, summarizes content, and adjusts tone – cutting writing time by up to 50%.
- Excel: Automates formulas, analyzes data, and creates visuals – reducing report preparation from days to hours.
- Outlook: Summarizes email threads, drafts replies, and organizes inboxes – saving up to 45% of email management time.
Key Stats:
- Users save 1.2 hours per week on average.
- 70% report increased productivity.
- 77% prefer working with Copilot over traditional methods.
Whether you’re creating documents, crunching numbers, or managing emails, Copilot simplifies workflows and helps you focus on more meaningful tasks.
Microsoft Copilot Tips and Tricks to Boost Your Productivity
Microsoft Copilot in Word
Microsoft Copilot is changing how professionals write in Word by using AI to speed up document creation. As part of Microsoft 365, it streamlines the writing process, helping users produce polished documents much faster.
Quick Document Creation
Copilot can draft reports, proposals, or summaries based on simple prompts. This lets professionals focus on reviewing and improving the content rather than starting from scratch.
"Microsoft Word Copilot offers suggestions for clearer, more concise language, and can even adapt the tone to suit different audiences." – Amaxra
Writing Assistance Features
Copilot’s tools include adjusting tone (like shifting from casual to formal), expanding content, refining language, and summarizing lengthy documents. For instance, in January 2024, a user turned a 15-page report into concise bullet points, making team discussions more efficient (Pragmatic Works, 2024). These features save time and improve the quality of drafts.
Time Saved vs. Manual Writing
According to Amaxra’s December 2023 report, Copilot reduces initial drafting time by as much as 50%. This gives teams more room to focus on strategic thinking and fine-tuning their work.
"Copilot in Word simplifies the amount of time you might need to spend on reading, so you have more time to instead think about how you should act on it." – Gabe Ho, Microsoft
With precise prompts, users can get the most out of Copilot. Its ability to pull data from multiple sources and format content automatically turns what used to be time-consuming tasks into quick, efficient workflows. This is especially valuable for organizations that deal with heavy documentation.
Microsoft Copilot in Excel
Microsoft Copilot simplifies Excel tasks by using natural language to handle everything from basic math to creating advanced visuals.
Formula and Calculation Help
Copilot makes working with formulas easier by interpreting natural language. You can create even the most complex formulas without needing to remember Excel’s syntax. For example, in June 2024, Copilot automatically split a data column and performed calculations based on simple instructions.
"With Copilot, you can effortlessly create new columns or rows in your table that perform calculations based on existing data." – Microsoft Support
If you’re working with biographical data, you can ask Copilot to "Add a column that calculates how long each person was alive for." It will handle the formulas, including conditional logic for those still living. Once the data is ready, Copilot can transform it into visual insights.
Data Charts and Analysis
Turning numbers into visuals is another strength of Copilot. In July 2024, Microsoft demonstrated how Copilot created a line graph showing US birth rates by day of the week, highlighting differences between weekdays and weekends.
"Microsoft Copilot in Excel revolutionizes the chart creation process, allowing users to seamlessly transform data into insightful visuals." – Microsoft Excel Blog
To get the most out of Copilot, save your Excel files in OneDrive or SharePoint. This ensures access to its cloud-based features and real-time collaboration tools.
Excel Task Speed Comparison
The November 2024 general release of Copilot showcased how much faster it makes common Excel tasks. With Python integration, users can now perform advanced data analysis directly in Excel.
"Copilot in Excel lets users gain insights without spreadsheet expertise." – Microsoft Community Hub
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Microsoft Copilot in Outlook
Microsoft Copilot is transforming Outlook, making email management and organization quicker and easier. Just like its features in Word and Excel, Copilot in Outlook is designed to save time on routine tasks, allowing you to concentrate on more important work.
Email Thread Summaries
Tired of scrolling through endless email threads? Copilot simplifies this by summarizing the key points. By clicking "Summary by Copilot" at the top of any email thread, users can instantly view a concise summary, complete with numbered citations for easy reference.
"Copilot condenses long email threads into summaries, so you don’t have to slog through the entire back-and-forth to unearth takeaways." – Microsoft WorkLab
This feature is especially helpful when you consider that 85% of emails are read in under 15 seconds, according to the 2024 Work Trend Index Annual Report. These summaries allow you to quickly understand the main points without having to read every single email. Beyond summaries, Copilot also makes email writing faster and more effective.
Email Writing Assistant
Need help drafting a professional email? Copilot’s writing assistant offers context-based suggestions, pulling from previous messages to create tailored drafts. By selecting the Copilot icon and choosing "Draft with Copilot", users can specify details like the recipient, purpose, and tone to generate a draft.
"With Copilot in Outlook, you can get helpful suggestions on how to adjust the tone, clarity, and reader sentiment before you hit send." – Microsoft Support
The assistant provides real-time feedback on tone and clarity, ensuring your message is polished before you send it. You can choose to apply these suggestions individually or all at once, keeping your personal writing style intact while benefiting from AI-powered insights.
Smart Email Organization
In February 2025, Stoneridge Software highlighted how Copilot’s organizational tools can help users manage their inboxes more efficiently. Early adopters reported saving up to 45% of their email management time thanks to automated rules and intelligent categorization.
"With AI, the future workday will likely involve an ever-shrinking amount of time spent wading through inboxes." – Microsoft WorkLab
Users can set up custom rules with simple commands like "highlight emails from [contact]" or "move emails containing [keyword] to folder [X]." This automation ensures that urgent messages are prioritized and your inbox stays tidy without requiring constant manual effort.
Tips for Using Microsoft Copilot
To make the most of Microsoft Copilot in tools like Word, Excel, and Outlook, it’s important to know how to interact with it effectively.
Writing Clear Instructions
Clear and specific prompts lead to better results from Copilot. As Microsoft Learn puts it:
"The more specific your prompt, the better Copilot can generate a productive response." – Microsoft Learn
For example, if you need an analysis, try something like: "Analyze Q1 2025 sales data for next week’s board presentation in three bullet-point findings." Be clear about your goal, provide context, and specify the desired format.
Once you’ve set the instructions, review the results to ensure they meet your needs and are accurate.
Checking Copilot’s Work
Always review Copilot’s output carefully to ensure it meets your standards. Here are some key steps:
- Verify data: Double-check numbers, dates, and calculations in Excel.
- Review tone: Make sure the language aligns with your audience and purpose.
- Cross-check sources: Confirm that any cited information is accurate.
- Refine output: Use follow-up prompts to tweak or improve the results.
Adding Copilot to Team Tasks
Copilot can also streamline team workflows by automating repetitive tasks. A McKinsey report highlights that 60% of employees spend over a third of their work time on tasks that could be automated.
"Businesses must integrate AI tools to achieve greater efficiency. Automating repetitive tasks frees up time and helps you save cost." – Matt Mulcahy, Director of Business Development, ProSource
For example, Bayer‘s crop sciences division used Copilot for data analysis, allowing them to process large datasets quickly and improve their operations.
Conclusion
Microsoft Copilot is changing the game for productivity in tools like Word, Excel, and Outlook, helping users complete tasks 29% faster.
On average, users save 1.2 hours per week, with 70% reporting increased productivity.
"Once they’ve worked with Copilot, 77% don’t want to go back to working without it." – Microsoft WorkLab
Here’s how it boosts productivity across different apps:
| Application | Productivity Boost |
|---|---|
| Word | 85% of users finish first drafts faster |
| Excel | Improved speed for data analysis |
| Outlook | 64% spend less time managing emails |
This surge in efficiency aligns with the fact that 72% of businesses now use at least one AI-assisted function.
Colette Stallbaumer, GM of Microsoft 365 Copilot, sums it up perfectly:
"Copilot combines the power of large language models with your data in the Microsoft 365 apps to turn your words into the most powerful productivity tool on the planet"
Priced at $30 per user per month, Copilot offers a strong return on investment, helping professionals streamline tasks and empowering organizations to work smarter.
