Jan 13th, 2026 -

15 Microsoft Copilot Tips and Tricks – 2026

Unlock the Full Potential of Microsoft Copilot

Microsoft Copilot is more than an AI assistant—it’s a productivity powerhouse integrated across Microsoft 365. From drafting documents to automating workflows, Copilot helps businesses save time and work smarter. Here are 15 detailed tips and tricks to maximise its potential in 2026.

15 Detailed Copilot Tips and Tricks

Use Natural Language Commands: Instead of rigid prompts, type requests conversationally. Example: “Summarise this report into 5 bullet points” or “Create a project timeline for Q1.” Copilot understands context and intent.
Summarise Long Documents: In Word, ask Copilot to condense 20-page reports into executive summaries. Perfect for board meetings or client updates.
Create Meeting Notes Automatically: After Teams calls, generate summaries and action items instantly. Example: “Summarise today’s meeting and highlight next steps.”
Automate Email Responses: In Outlook, draft professional replies in seconds. Add tone adjustments like “Make this more formal” or “Add a friendly closing.”
Generate Data Insights in Excel: Ask Copilot to analyse trends, forecast sales, or create pivot tables. Example: “Show top-performing regions for Q4.”
Build Presentations Quickly: In PowerPoint, turn bullet points into polished slides with design suggestions. Example: “Create a 5-slide deck on sustainability goals.”
Plan Projects with Ease: Use Copilot in Planner or Project to create timelines, assign tasks, and set milestones automatically.
Rewrite for Tone and Clarity: Adjust tone for different audiences—formal for clients, conversational for internal teams. Example: “Rewrite this email to sound persuasive.”
Translate Content Instantly: Translate documents or emails into multiple languages for global teams without leaving your app.
Brainstorm Creative Ideas: Use Copilot for marketing copy, blog topics, or campaign slogans. Example: “Suggest 10 LinkedIn post ideas for cybersecurity awareness.”
Check Compliance Before Sending: Validate sensitive content against DLP policies to avoid breaches. Example: “Does this document meet GDPR requirements?”
Automate Repetitive Tasks: In Power Automate, let Copilot build workflows like invoice approvals or onboarding sequences with minimal input.
Enhance Security Recommendations: Ask Copilot for MFA setup steps or Zero Trust best practices to strengthen your security posture.
Integrate with Teams Chats: Use Copilot for quick answers during meetings or summarise chat threads for clarity.
Personalise Output: Provide examples or style preferences for tailored results. Example: “Write this proposal in the same tone as last quarter’s report.”

Prompting Dos and Don’ts

Getting great results from Copilot starts with effective prompting. Here’s how to structure your prompts for the best outcomes:

✔️ Prompting Dos

Be specific: “Create a 200-word summary of this document focusing on financial risks.”
Provide context: Include goals, audience, or tone. “Write this update for the senior leadership team.”
Include examples: “Rewrite this email using the tone of the example below.”
Break large tasks into steps: Let Copilot complete parts—summaries, outlines, then full drafts.
Use follow-up prompts: “Shorten this by 20%.” / “Add 3 alternative headings.”
Ask for improvements: “Make this more concise and remove jargon.”

❌ Prompting Don’ts

Don’t be vague: Requests like “Write something about this” produce generic results.
Don’t skip context: Without purpose or audience, Copilot won’t tailor the output correctly.
Don’t overload one prompt: Avoid asking for tone change, formatting, summarising, and structuring at once.
Don’t assume Copilot knows your internal jargon: Provide definitions or examples as needed.
Don’t expect perfection first try: Treat Copilot as an iterative collaborator.

With the right prompting habits, Copilot becomes dramatically more powerful—and far more aligned with your business goals.

Why These Tips Matter

Copilot isn’t just about convenience—it’s about transforming workflows. By mastering these tips, businesses can reduce manual effort, improve decision-making, and enhance collaboration. AI-driven productivity is no longer optional; it’s a competitive advantage.

Real-World Impact

Companies using Copilot report up to 30% time savings on document creation and 25% faster project planning. For example, a legal firm automated contract drafting, cutting turnaround time by 40%, while a marketing team generated campaign ideas in minutes instead of hours.