Copilot, Microsoft’s AI assistant, is revolutionizing teamwork in Microsoft Teams. Here’s what you need to know:
- Copilot enhances meetings, chats, and project management in Teams
- It summarizes discussions, takes notes, and suggests next steps
- Copilot integrates with other Microsoft 365 apps for seamless workflow
Key benefits:
- 70% of users report higher productivity
- Tasks like searching and writing are 29% faster
- 85% say Copilot speeds up content drafting
To use Copilot in Teams:
- Go to Chat in Teams
- Select a chat
- Click Open Copilot
- Choose from available options
| Feature | What it does |
|---|---|
| Chat summaries | Quick review of main points |
| Meeting assistance | Recap discussions, generate action items |
| Intelligent call recap | Auto-note taking during calls |
| Message rewriting | Adjust tone, add calls to action |
| Information retrieval | Find specific info using natural language |
Copilot in Teams is changing how teams collaborate, making meetings more productive and communication clearer. By handling routine tasks, it allows team members to focus on high-value work.
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What is Copilot in Microsoft Teams?
Copilot is an AI assistant in Microsoft Teams that helps you get more done. It works with you during meetings, chats, and projects.
Copilot basics
Copilot uses AI to understand what you’re asking and respond. It looks at your Microsoft 365 data to give you relevant help.
Copilot can:
- Understand your questions
- Find info in your Microsoft 365 apps
- Create content based on your data
- Do repetitive tasks for you
Main features
Here’s what Copilot does in Teams:
| Feature | What it does |
|---|---|
| Meeting help | Summarizes talks, lists action items, helps during calls |
| Chat boost | Improves messages, writes replies, finds old chat info |
| Content creation | Helps write docs, make presentations, brainstorm ideas |
| Task tracking | Assigns and follows up on tasks |
How Copilot improves Teams
Copilot makes Teams even better:
1. Better meetings
Copilot joins your meetings as an AI helper. It writes down what everyone says and who said it. After the meeting, it gives you a summary with main points and to-dos.
"Copilot in Teams can be used interactively, in real-time and via the Copilot prompt, will respond to a wide range of requests which makes it potentially much more transformative." – Jamie Wheeldon, Chief Architect for Symity
2. Clearer communication
In chats, Copilot helps you write better messages. It can suggest ways to make your writing clearer or more effective.
3. Smoother workflows
Copilot does many boring tasks for you. This gives you more time for important work. It can set up meetings, handle emails, and update projects automatically.
4. Faster info finding
Need to find something from an old chat or meeting? Copilot can search through it all and give you the answer you need.
How to set up Copilot in Microsoft Teams
Want to supercharge your team’s productivity? Here’s how to get Copilot up and running in Microsoft Teams:
What you need
First, make sure you’ve got:
- Microsoft 365 Business or Enterprise subscription
- Copilot licenses ($30 per user/month)
- Microsoft Entra ID
- OneDrive for all users
Turning it on
Here’s the quick setup:
- Head to the Microsoft 365 admin center
- Go to Billing > Licenses
- Assign those Copilot licenses
- Hit up the Copilot section to tweak settings
Users can then find Copilot in the top right of their Teams window.
Rolling it out company-wide
IT folks, listen up:
1. Start small
Get a test group going. Let them play around and report back.
2. Keep an eye on things
Use the Copilot Dashboard in Viva Insights to see how it’s impacting work.
3. Stay fresh
Keep those Microsoft 365 apps updated. Stick to Current Channel or Monthly Enterprise Channel.
4. Check your pipes
Make sure your network can handle the Microsoft 365 traffic.
5. Set up Teams right
Don’t forget about external access and guest settings.
Pro tip: For the full Copilot experience, use the new Outlook (it’s still in preview, but worth a look).
"The Copilot launch exceeded our wildest expectations and kickstarted our growth in ways we hadn’t anticipated." – Akshay Kothari, CPO of Notion
While this isn’t about Microsoft’s Copilot, it shows how AI tools can shake things up in a good way.
Using Copilot to improve communication
Copilot in Microsoft Teams is shaking up team communication. Here’s how it’s boosting chats, emails, and calls.
Better chat conversations
Copilot cuts through the noise in long chats. It can:
- Summarize the last 30 days
- Spotlight decisions
- List action items
Just ask "What did I miss?" or "What were last month’s key takeaways?"
Managing emails in Teams
Copilot bridges Teams and Outlook:
- Summarizes unread messages across both platforms
- Drafts email responses in Teams
Try this: "Summarize my recent unread messages from Sarah" for a quick overview from your inbox and Teams chats.
Improving voice and video calls
During calls, Copilot’s got your back:
- Takes notes
- Recaps for latecomers
- Suggests follow-ups
Pro tip: Near the end of a meeting, ask Copilot "What questions can I ask to move the meeting forward?" It’ll help you wrap up smoothly.
Post-call, Copilot creates summaries with action items, even without a transcript. Everyone stays in the loop.
"Copilot can monitor Teams meetings and automate the process of highlighting key talking points along with suggested action items, responsibilities, and deliverables." – TechTarget
Making team meetings more productive
Copilot in Microsoft Teams is changing how teams handle meetings. Here’s how this AI assistant boosts productivity:
Preparing for meetings
Copilot makes meeting prep a breeze:
- Smart agendas: Just give it a few keywords, and boom – you’ve got a structured agenda. For example:
"Create a meeting agenda for my accounting client, Rock Castle Construction, on March 1st using this structure: Review financials, Evaluate expenses, Monthly income, Action Items, and Next meeting agenda."
- Info gathering: It pulls relevant docs, old meeting notes, and project updates. No more scrambling for info at the last minute.
During meetings
Copilot’s got your back while you’re in the thick of it:
- Live transcription: Captures every word. No need to furiously scribble notes.
- Task assignment: Spots and assigns tasks as they come up.
- Quick catch-ups: Latecomers? No problem. Copilot can give them a quick summary without derailing the meeting.
Need help mid-meeting? Just ask Copilot:
- "What have we covered so far?"
- "Did we agree on [topic]?"
- "Any tasks for me?"
After the meeting
Copilot keeps working even after you’ve logged off:
- Smart summaries: Whips up concise recaps, highlighting the important stuff.
- Task lists: Compiles and assigns action items.
- Follow-up emails: Drafts emails with meeting minutes and to-dos.
| Copilot Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Meeting summaries | 4x faster than manual summaries |
| User productivity | 2x increase during meetings |
| Task of summarizing | 58% less draining for users |
With Copilot, nothing falls through the cracks. Everyone knows what they need to do next.
Working together on documents
Copilot in Microsoft Teams supercharges document collaboration. Here’s how:
Writing documents as a team
Copilot jumpstarts your writing. Just ask it to draft something:
"Copilot, draft an intro for our quarterly report. Highlight 15% revenue growth and new product launch."
Boom. You’ve got a starting point.
When multiple people are working:
- Copilot locks paragraphs being edited
- Changes sync when team members reconnect
- It flags any conflicts
Keeping track of document changes
Copilot makes version control a breeze:
- Records edits without permanent changes
- Easy review, accept, or reject changes
- Shows how documents evolve
To use this, hit "Track Changes" in the REVIEW tab before editing.
Suggestions for better content
Copilot doesn’t just spell-check. It makes your writing better:
| Feature | What it does |
|---|---|
| Style tips | Makes writing clearer |
| Inclusive writing | Creates more accessible content |
| Content polish | Improves quality and clarity |
Want Copilot’s input? Here’s how:
- Open your doc in Teams
- Ask Copilot: "How can I make this paragraph punchier?"
- Use what works for you
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Managing tasks and projects with Copilot
Copilot in Microsoft Teams makes task and project management a breeze. Here’s how:
Making and assigning tasks
Copilot makes task creation simple:
- Just tell it what you need done
- It suggests team members and schedules tasks
For example:
"Copilot, create a task to update the Q2 sales report. Assign it to Sarah and set the deadline for next Friday."
Boom. Task created, assigned, and scheduled.
Checking project progress
Want to know how a project’s doing? Just ask Copilot:
"Copilot, show me the progress on the website redesign project."
You’ll get a quick overview, including any potential issues.
Creating reports
Copilot takes the headache out of report generation:
| Report Type | Copilot’s Magic |
|---|---|
| Monthly sales | Pulls data, makes charts |
| Performance summaries | Analyzes metrics, highlights key points |
| Financial statements | Compiles figures, formats properly |
To create a report:
1. Open Excel or Power BI in Teams
2. Activate Copilot
3. Tell it what report you need
Copilot does the rest, saving you tons of time.
Using Copilot with other Microsoft 365 apps
Copilot doesn’t just work with Teams. It’s like a Swiss Army knife for the whole Microsoft 365 suite. Here’s how it makes your work life easier across different apps:
Connecting Teams with other apps
Copilot bridges Teams and other Microsoft 365 apps. It’s like having a personal assistant that can:
- Write Word docs based on your Teams chats
- Whip up PowerPoint slides from your meeting notes
- Crunch numbers in Excel using data from Teams conversations
- Summarize Outlook emails and share them in Teams
Imagine this: You’re in a Teams meeting and you say, "Copilot, make a PowerPoint about what we just discussed." Boom! It creates slides on the spot using your meeting transcript.
Using data across apps
Copilot taps into the Microsoft Graph to use data from different apps. It’s like it has a backstage pass to all your work info:
| App | What Copilot uses | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Outlook | Your email threads | Sums them up in Teams chats |
| Word | What’s in your docs | Suggests edits right in Teams |
| Excel | Your spreadsheet data | Makes charts for Teams presentations |
| PowerPoint | Your slides | Comes up with talking points for Teams meetings |
This cross-app data use helps you make smarter decisions and work better with your team.
Boosting productivity across Microsoft 365
Copilot’s not just a cool toy. It’s a real time-saver:
- People save about 1.2 hours a week using it
- 67% of early users said it helped them focus on what matters
Here’s how Copilot supercharges specific apps:
1. Word
It’s like having a writing buddy. Copilot can draft text, add new stuff based on your other docs, and sum up long documents.
2. Outlook
Think of it as your email assistant. It writes emails for you and gives you the TL;DR of long email threads.
3. PowerPoint
It’s your presentation maker. Copilot creates slides using info from other docs and can give you the highlights of long presentations.
4. Excel
It’s like a formula wizard. Tell it what you want in plain English, and it’ll create the formula. It can also spot trends in your data.
5. Teams
Copilot’s your meeting MVP. It summarizes chats and calls, and suggests what to do next during or after meetings.
Tips for better team collaboration with Copilot
Setting communication guidelines
Want to get the most out of Copilot in Teams? Set some ground rules:
- Be specific when you ask for help. Don’t just say "summarize the meeting." Instead, try "Recap the Fundraiser meeting, suggest a follow-up agenda, and list action items with owners."
- Use the same language for common tasks. Maybe start with "Copilot, please…" when you need something.
- Share what works. If someone finds a great way to use Copilot, tell the team.
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Ask for details | Be vague |
| Give context | Assume Copilot knows everything |
| Be polite | Treat it like a machine |
Teaching team members to use Copilot
Help your team level up with Copilot:
1. Make a cheat sheet: List common tasks and the best way to ask for them.
2. Show and tell: Run sessions where you use Copilot for real work stuff.
3. Let people play: Give team members time to explore Copilot on their own.
4. Keep talking: Check in regularly about what’s working and what’s not.
Balancing AI help with human input
Copilot’s great, but don’t forget the human touch:
- Use Copilot to get started, then add your own expertise.
- Double-check what Copilot says before you use it.
- Let Copilot handle the boring stuff so you can focus on being creative.
"Knowing how to prompt… is the key to unlocking the power and potential of generative AI." – Jennifer Marsman, Principal Engineer in Microsoft’s Office of the Chief Technology Officer.
Solving common problems
Handling privacy and security
Privacy and security are big deals when using Copilot in Teams. Microsoft’s got your back with built-in safeguards:
- Copilot only shows what you’re allowed to see
- It doesn’t learn from your chats
- It follows the rules (like GDPR)
Want to boost security? Try this:
1. Set clear data policies
Make rules about what to share with Copilot. Make sure everyone knows them.
2. Use Microsoft Purview
Admins can control how long Copilot keeps chat data.
3. Train your team
Show people how to use Copilot safely. Teach them to avoid sharing sensitive stuff.
Dealing with information overload
Copilot can help manage the info flood, but it’s easy to drown. Here’s how to stay afloat:
- Start your day with Copilot’s summary of key emails and chats
- Decide when to use email, chat, or meetings
- Use "Do Not Disturb" when you need to focus
"I used to waste time searching for that perfect PowerPoint deck. Now I just ask Copilot to find it." – Maryleen Emeric, Senior Director at Microsoft
Fixing common technical issues
Copilot acting up? Try these:
- Check if you’re signed in with a Copilot license
- Update your license (File > Account > Update License)
- Make sure you’re on the right channel (Current or Monthly Enterprise)
- Turn on "Experiences that analyze your content" and "All connected experiences"
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Can’t see Copilot | Refresh license, check account |
| Missing features | Check channel and privacy settings |
| Can’t change settings | Talk to IT |
The future of AI in team collaboration
AI is shaking up team collaboration. Microsoft’s Copilot and Teams are at the forefront. Here’s what’s coming and how to prep.
New features on the horizon
Microsoft’s beefing up Teams with AI:
- Better meeting summaries: Copilot will merge spoken words and chat messages.
- Smart message writing: Rewrite messages in different styles.
- Intelligent call recap: Take notes and list action items during calls.
"Copilot can adjust your message to add a call to action, or like how a pirate would speak." – Microsoft
These updates are coming soon. Intelligent call recap hits Teams Premium next quarter.
AI’s impact on work
AI’s set to flip team collaboration on its head:
1. AI teammate:
Team Copilot will work in Teams, Loop, and Planner. It’ll run meetings, write agendas, and manage projects.
2. Custom AI helpers:
Companies can create AI "Agents" for specific tasks. Think an AI handling the entire order process.
3. Smarter virtual meetings:
New features will make remote meetings feel more real, with auto camera switching and better speaker recognition.
Gearing up for new collaboration tools
To get ready:
- Learn the new tools as they roll out.
- Rethink how AI can help with daily tasks.
- Train your team to use AI tools effectively.
Conclusion
Microsoft Teams with Copilot is shaking up teamwork. This AI assistant tackles everything from chat summaries to meeting management.
Key points:
- Teams boasts 300+ million monthly users
- Copilot enhances chats, meetings, and calls
- It recaps, manages tasks, and boosts productivity
The results? Pretty impressive:
- 70% of users report higher productivity
- Tasks like searching and writing are 29% faster
- 85% say Copilot speeds up content drafting
James Thomas from Dentsu Creative puts it this way:
"It helps [people] get to their ideas faster…It’s not there to replace them, it’s just something they can use to supercharge their ideas."
To get the most out of Copilot:
- Make it a daily habit
- Identify AI-friendly tasks
- Invest saved time in high-value work
As AI reshapes work, stay sharp. Keep up with new features and help your team leverage these tools effectively.
FAQs
How does Copilot enhance the user experience in Teams?
Copilot is your private meetings assistant in Teams. It:
- Sends end-of-meeting prompts
- Summarizes key points
- Identifies next steps and task owners
- Combines spoken and written content for easy catch-up
How to enable Copilot in Microsoft Teams?
To turn on Copilot:
1. Go to Chat in Teams
2. Select a chat
3. Click Open Copilot (look for the icon)
4. Choose from options like:
- Highlights from the past day
- What decisions were made?
- What are the open items?
What can Copilot do in Teams?
Copilot in Teams boosts productivity with:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Chat summaries | Quick review of main points and action items |
| Meeting assistance | Recap discussions and generate action items |
| Intelligent call recap | Auto-note taking during calls |
| Message rewriting | Adjust message tone or add calls to action |
| Information retrieval | Find specific info using natural language |
During meetings, ask Copilot things like "Recap the meeting so far" or "Did the team agree on [topic]?" to stay in the loop.