Seven New Copilot Features in Microsoft 365
The co-pilot has changed a lot since the beginning of this year . Not only does the bot have an official app , but now anyone with a Microsoft 365 account can access Copilot in apps like Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Previously, this was exclusive to business users.
If you have Microsoft 365 and Copilot Pro, or your company uses this set of tools, you can access some of Copilot’s new features right now. Microsoft has announced a list of 14 new Copilot features coming this month , but seven of them actually apply to admins and management. For the rest of us, the other seven are the key new features worth paying attention to:
You can create images directly in Word and Powerpoint documents.
This month, both Word and Powerpoint will allow you to create images and search for stock images using Copilot through Microsoft Designer. If you tell Copilot to generate an image for you, it will generate and present the usual series of options that you can choose to insert into your document. When you use this feature in Powerpoint Designer, it will be included in your “attractive slide design.”
Help PDFs, emails, and meetings in Word
Starting last month, Microsoft introduced the ability to link to PDFs and encrypted Word documents using Copilot in Word. This month, the company will also add the ability to link to Microsoft Cloud information, including your emails and meetings. These updates complement the types of data you may have previously referenced, including Word and PowerPoint files.
You can later use these file types in your prompts using Copilot in Word. If you call Copilot and ask them to write you a project proposal, you can ask Copilot to create one based on one of these files from the advanced menu. If you discussed a project in detail in a meeting, or if the notes are in PDF format, Copilot can analyze that document or file and create a report based on it.
Enhanced support for creating PowerPoint presentations from PDFs and encrypted Word files.
Likewise, in June, Microsoft introduced the ability to create PowerPoint presentations from new PDF and Word file types. You can also link to Word documents and PowerPoint presentations within PowerPoint itself.
However you create a PowerPoint presentation using Copilot, you should notice three key improvements in how the AI renders your PowerPoint document, including improved headings, sections, and slides; presentation structures with slides for your agenda, sections, and conclusion; and new transitions and animations.
You can also use PowerPoint Chat to answer questions using the Microsoft cloud, Microsoft Graph, and Bing.
What’s New in Excel
Microsoft has announced three new Copilot features for Excel, all coming this month:
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Copilot now works with “table-like” data ranges with headers on a single row. Microsoft says this is more efficient than before because you won’t need to format the data before calling Copilot.
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The edit field is available no matter which cell you select, so you can use Copilot without worrying about where you are in your spreadsheet.
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Copilot will be more conversational in answering questions about Excel data, including step-by-step instructions for specific tasks.
Co-pilot in Teams
Do you know who you communicate with at work? You may think so, but the more artificial intelligence functions our work programs take on, the less you can interact with a real person.
A new Teams feature rolling out right now is Copilot integration into Teams chats and channels. After entering your message, you can tell Copilot to change the words as you wish. Microsoft offers prompts like “add a call to action,” “make it compelling,” or “convert my message to a list and add inclusive language.”
You may think that your boss sent a handwritten message to the team or that you are having a fun conversation with a co-worker. But as far as you know, they used Copilot to change their words. You may be communicating with an LLM.
Copilot lets you rewrite content in SharePoint
Copilot rewriting is coming to SharePoint: If you use the app to create websites for your organization, you can use the familiar Copilot tools to rewrite text. Doesn’t look like there’s anything particularly innovative here, mind you. These appear to be the usual rewriting tools one would expect from generative AI. However, you can now use them directly in SharePoint. This will happen this month.
Co-pilot in the loop
Loop is Microsoft’s collaboration app that allows team members to work together on a project in real time. While you can start a project from scratch using a blank canvas or template, Microsoft wants you to use Copilot to create a “structured, collaboration-ready document.” If you’re using Loop, you can try asking Copilot to customize your workspace based on whatever settings you need. Microsoft introduced this feature in May.