Advanced 365 Limited

04/15/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 04/15/2024 08:08

Copilot in Microsoft Word: Top 5 Uses (with Prompts)

All organisations rely on being able to produce documents for a huge variety of purposes, and document creation can often be a tiresome task. Microsoft Word, long regarded as the benchmark for document creation, has taken a giant leap forward with the integration of Copilot's generative technology. This collaboration not only streamlines the document creation process but also transforms it, making it smarter, quicker, and more intuitive. Whether it's drafting contracts, revising content, or summarising lengthy reports, Copilot in Microsoft Word is redefining the way we approach digital document creation.

In this blog, we'll explore how Copilot's advanced capabilities can enhance various aspects of your organisation's productivity and provide a starting point for those looking to harness this powerful tool.

1. Assist with Drafting Documents

The integration of Copilot's generative technology with Microsoft Word elevates the standard for digital document creation. Recognised as the leading software for drafting and writing, Microsoft Word, when paired with Copilot's adept writing capabilities, revolutionises how documents are produced. This synergy enables users to generate comprehensive drafts from simple commands, significantly reducing time spent on initial document preparation while ensuring polished, stress-free outputs.

For instance, crafting a contract becomes an effortless task with Copilot. By instructing Copilot to "draft a contract for [subject]," users can leverage Copilot's ability to amalgamate organisational data and its extensive training data. This results in a detailed contract that accurately reflects the provided specifications.

However, to harness Copilot's full potential in drafting accurate documents, it is essential to provide clear, specific details about the desired output. Copilot excels when given robust context, allowing it to produce precisely what is requested. Hence, articulating your requirements clearly and in detail, using natural language, enhances Copilot's effectiveness.

After generating your document, you can talk to Copilot to fine-tune it and ensure that you have exactly what you need.

2. Rewrite and Edit Content

Beyond its capability to generate initial drafts, Copilot in Microsoft Word can revise and enhance documents according to your preferences. You can simply ask Copilot to rewrite and edit your content however you'd like, asking for revisions and new edits with specific focal points, which is useful for longer or more complex pieces.

For example, you may have a document that requires a more professional tone. By instructing Copilot to uplift the language to a professional standard, it will modify any informal phrases or terminology, presenting you with a refined draft suitable for professional contexts in record time.

Using Copilot for subtle tonal adjustments can significantly impact the perception of your written communication. A request like "make this email sound more polite" allows Copilot to scrutinise and adjust your wording, ensuring that your message is conveyed with the intended positivity and respect.

Through these functionalities, Copilot in Microsoft Word not only enhances the efficiency of document creation but also ensures that the final content aligns perfectly with your intended tone, style, and level of professionalism.

3. Summarise Lengthy Documents

Reading through lengthy documents is time-consuming, and sometimes you only need to know the general points from a long document rather than every intricate detail of the piece. Copilot in Word can help with this, simply by asking it to summarise the document.

For example, ask Copilot to 'Summarise this document into bullet points' and it will do so, saving you time and letting you gather key points from the document in a matter of seconds.

You can even ask Copilot to generate insights on the document, providing a deeper analysis and extracting valuable information beyond the surface summary. This additional layer of understanding enriches your grasp of the document's content, empowering you to leverage the material effectively.

4. Ask Questions About a Document

Similarly to it's ability to summarise documents, Copilot offers the additional functionality of responding to targeted inquiries about a document's content. By posing questions such as "What does this document say about [subject]?," users can obtain specific insights directly related to their area of interest, facilitated by Copilot's intelligent response mechanism.

Expanding on this feature, you can simply talk to Copilot, enabling users to explore a wide range of questions related to the document. Whether seeking deeper understanding of the subject matter, requiring clarification on particular points, or desiring constructive feedback for document enhancement, Copilot is equipped to provide informed responses.

4. Create Content from Other Files

Copilot's integration extends across the entirety of your organisation's digital environment, enabling it to harness organisational data for content generation. This ability allows Copilot to effortlessly draw upon files stored within your organisation's database, transforming them into valuable content in seconds.

To tap into this capability, simply instruct Copilot to "Create an email based on [selected file]," and it will use the chosen file as a foundation for generating the requested content - in this instance, an email. While cross-referencing the original document is advisable for accuracy, the AI will be able to generate an email of the highest quality from other documents.

Copilot can also bridge the gap between different types of files, such as PowerPoint and Excel documents, and create content based on documents created in those other applications.

How To Get Started

Microsoft Copilot is an important AI tool and is one that every organisation needs to be aware of. Harnessing Copilot's capabilities can significantly enhance productivity, improving many different areas of your business.

If you're looking to take advantage of Copilot but don't know where to start, reach out to us today. Our experts are here to help you get started and will make sure that Copilot is set up properly within your organisation while also answering any questions you may have.