Top Ten Copilot Use Cases

I've gone from a beginner to an intermediate with MS Copilot. Here are my top ten (plus 5) use cases to make life faster, and more fun. In no particular order.

Just like Word, Excel, or Teams, Copilot exists inside each app, and each version is designed for different kinds of work. The underlying AI capabilities are the same, but the tools, context, and features change depending on where you’re using it. I've referenced which App these use cases work best. But remember, treat AI as an intern. They are fast and motivated, but you need to edit their work.

1. Teams Meetings: Notes and Action Items

   Transcribe your meetings and unlock the feature new users love most. As the ultimate entry point to AI, Copilot delivers instant value by summarizing complex discussions and identifying key action items on command. It’s more than a tool—it’s a personal administrative assistant that ensures you never miss a detail again. It just plain works.

   
   

2. Chat: "Get me ready for my day" & "Get me ready for __________ meeting"

   Another new user benefit used and valued quickly. This series of prompts will list your meetings, seek out agendas, and remind you of recent conversations between you the attendees. While this prompt does struggle to reference a specific pre-made meeting agenda even when attached to a meeting. None-the-less, perfect for last minute preparation.

   
   

3. Chat or M365 Copilot APP: "Find recent communications that about _______" or "Summarize communications about _______".

   Using natural language to direct Copilot to filter through multiple communication modes - Teams messages, emails, files and channel posts on the criteria, then list potential matches with a link to each source. An incredible tool when needing a refresher on conversations that span years with intermediate activity.

   
   

4. Outlook or Word: Summarize email thread or document.

   A built-in prompt in the side or top window pain that provides the standing function to summarizes the active information. Allows you to quickly be brought up to speed and absorb several pages quickly. Especially helpful when you have been added to an already long nuanced thread of information.

   
   

5. PowerPoint: "Create an icon"

   In PPT, ask it to "Create an icon to describe _______", and it will generate icons based on the information provided. Continue creating icons throughout the presentation to carry forward themes. Perfect for internal presentations. Your marketing team will thank you.

6. M365 Copilot APP - Researcher Agent:

   The research agent provides in depth and methodical thinking from external resources and files. For example, the prompt "Report on the top 3 trends impacting the [SECTOR/INDUSTRY]", will send the agent to slowly combs through multiple external sources to give a robust answer.

7. M365 Copilot Agent - Analyst Agent:

   Chatting with the Analyst Agent to "Analyze /[FILE], and provide me insights."

   Similar to Researcher, this (slowly) provides in depth and methodical thinking from internal resources and files that can be referenced by attaching a file or by using /.

   
   

8. Word or M365 Copilot APP: Create Staff FAQ's:

   We often have a SOP that needs to be transformed into usable information for frontline staff. "Create staff FAQ's in the voice of a customer service agent based on /[FILE], provides a draft version in seconds by analyzing many pages of information and then re-packaging it as a series of questions and answers.

   
   

9. Chat or M365 Copilot APP: Analyze Unstructured Data

   "Search all ___________ emails and summarize the number of times that _________ was reported. This prompt will have Copilot filter through unstructured data (in this case emails) to collate specific pieces of information. This is great for communications that are sent by what of text and not through a formal format, spreadsheet or file.

   
   

10. Word: Display as a Table

    "Display content as a table" is a quick prompt I've used in word to quickly convert lengthy paragraph information into a table in seconds. From here, one can quickly evaluate which format communicates the information best.

    
    

11. Word or M365 Copilot APP: "Explain this ___________ in plain terms"

    This is an incredible prompt for everyone who works with legal agreements or other complex language documents. It drastically reduces the time to understand technical or legal language. Try comparing two complex files in simple terms to understand how one document differs from another.

    
    

12. Chat or M365 Copilot APP: Work Superhero Persona

    "Review all the work and communication from [Name], create a Work Superhero Persona based on this information" is a fun and creative prompt that quickly creates a team building discussion on each person style and value they bring to the organization.

14. M365 Copilot APP: Synthesizing Brainstormed Documents

    My creative process often involves gathering a year’s worth of fragmented ideas, articles, and 'half-baked' plans. While rich in inspiration, these files often lack a cohesive direction. AI has become my bridge from chaos to clarity; it synthesizes these unconnected dots into a structured first draft. The prompt, "Create a plan from /FILE 1, /FILE 2, /FILE 3, and FILE/4."

    
    

15. M365 Copilot App - Create: Honourable Mention

    Use this App and prompt it to "Use this Power Point and create a video.", it will source notes and PPT information and deliver a slide show including AI narration. This could be useful to break up a presentation with a new voice. Although, fair warning, this isn't a magic bullet and should only be used in simple sections and with patience, hence it is an honourable mention. The Google AI suite far outpaces Copilot's performance in this area.

    
    

    Then the follow up prompt, "Incorporate our corporate values and vision /FILE 5". With a little re-prompting, I produce a viable foundation that I can critically evaluate and refine.