AI has captivated the imaginations of users in virtually every industry. It can take your work to the next level. On the other hand, users may get disappointing or inaccurate results if they neglect to take the time to learn how to optimize their use of AI. Uncover Copilot best practices, starting with top Microsoft 365 Copilot prompts you have yet to discover.
Microsoft 365 Copilot can access internal data across the Microsoft 365 ecosystem to help users create content, conduct research and analysis, and more. Users interact with Copilot using conversational prompts. These instructions or questions that users provide tell Copilot to perform tasks in Microsoft 365.
For example, a user returning from vacation might ask Copilot to provide an overview of missed meetings and summarize relevant documents. Another user might break through writer’s block by asking Copilot to generate a draft of an email or a presentation.
Copilot has powerful editing capabilities, as well, providing opportunities to upskill. For instance, Word users can highlight text and select “Rewrite with Copilot” to add a more professional tone to their writing. Similarly, users who lack a deep understanding of Microsoft Excel benefit from tips and insights that Copilot provides to enhance analysis.
Part of the beauty of Microsoft 365 Copilot lies in the fact that it responds well to natural language, allowing users to accomplish technical tasks even without deep technical understanding. However, not all prompts will deliver equally valuable results. Keep in mind some basic principles of good prompting.
In the first place, know what goal you want to achieve and be clear about it. For instance, if you want to draft an email specifying action items, create a report on the status of a client, or visualize data using a pie chart, say it explicitly. Precise instructions will help Copilot generate the desired content.
Second, specify the sources you want Copilot to use. For example, you might tell Copilot to use emails and Microsoft Teams meeting minutes from the last two weeks relating to a particular client.
Third, give pertinent context and outline expectations for your desired outcome. This will include details like the target audience and the tone you would like Copilot to use in generated content. For example, you might tell Copilot to create a report for busy executives using a concise, professional tone.
Finding a balance between providing enough detail and yet embracing simplicity takes practice. Keep trying!
Once you have developed a comfort level with the basics, take your Copilot prompts to the next level with the following best practices:
Ready to get to work? Take some time to experiment with Copilot and see what it has to offer. Following are sample prompts from some of the major Microsoft 365 apps:
eMazzanti Technologies, a Microsoft Solution Partner, knows the real impact that AI and automation will have on your business. To help you get the most out of Microsoft Copilot, eMazzanti is hosting free Microsoft Copilot Master Classes where you can see Copilot in action.
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