Introduction to Microsoft 365 Copilot

About This Course

This practical one-hour course introduces Microsoft Copilot and demonstrates how it can be used for chat, search, research, drafting text, and working with Excel. Participants will learn how to create effective prompts, understand the differences between basic and premium Copilot, and apply best practices when using Copilot in the workplace.

This course is ideal for organisations who would like to:

• Introduce AI tools to improve productivity and efficiency
• Upskill staff on the practical use of Copilot
• Navigate the differences between free Copilot and Premium 365 Copilot
• Support digital transformation and modern workplace initiatives

Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft Copilot

This module introduces Copilot and explains where it can be accessed and how it works within Microsoft 365.

• What is Microsoft Copilot?
• Where can you access Copilot?
• Copilot in the browser
• Copilot in Microsoft 365 apps
• Understanding Copilot's strengths and limitations

Module 2: Copilot for Chat, Search and Prompting

This module shows how Copilot can be used as a conversational assistant for finding information, answering questions, and conducting research.

• What is a prompt?
• Writing effective prompts
• Simple versus advanced prompting
• Working with follow-up questions
• Conversational searching and research

Module 3: Copilot for Outlook and Email Creation

Discover how Copilot can help create professional emails, improve existing messages and save time when drafting communications.

• Drafting emails from prompts
• Creating professional first drafts
• Refining and rewriting content
• Adjusting tone and style

Module 4: Copilot for Word and Document Creation

Learn how Copilot can generate documents from prompts and use information from Microsoft 365 to create policies, reports and other business documents.

• Drafting content from scratch
• Working with uploaded documents
• Creating content from SharePoint and OneDrive files
• Summarising long documents
• Rewriting and improving text

Module 5: Copilot for Excel

Explore how Copilot can assist with spreadsheet analysis, calculations, summaries and data visualisation using natural language.

• Using built-in Excel prompts
• Asking questions about spreadsheet data
• Generating calculations and summaries
• Identifying trends and patterns
• Creating charts and visualisations
• Building spreadsheets from prompts
• Checking calculations and results

Module 6: Copilot Researcher

Researcher helps gather, analyse and synthesise information from multiple sources to produce structured reports and summaries.

• Introduction to Researcher
• Gathering information from multiple sources
• Research planning and clarification
• Producing structured reports
• Summarising complex topics

Module 7: Introduction to Copilot Agents

This module introduces Copilot Agents and demonstrates how SharePoint, documents and websites can be used as knowledge sources.

• What is a Copilot Agent?
• Understanding agent knowledge sources
• Using SharePoint document libraries

Learning Outcomes

• Use Microsoft Copilot for chat, search, research, and content creation.
• Create and refine effective prompts.
• Draft emails, reports, policies, and other workplace documents.
• Analyse spreadsheet data using Copilot in Excel.
• Understand how Copilot Agents work and how they can use organisational knowledge.

What is Microsoft Copilot?

Microsoft Copilot is an AI-powered assistant that works across Microsoft 365 applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and OneDrive. It helps users create content, analyse information, summarise data, and improve productivity.

Who should attend this Introduction to Microsoft Copilot course?

This course is suitable for Microsoft 365 users, managers, administrators, knowledge workers, and anyone interested in learning how artificial intelligence can improve workplace productivity and efficiency.

Do I need previous experience with AI to attend?

No. This Microsoft Copilot training course is designed for beginners and provides a practical introduction to generative AI concepts, prompting techniques, and Microsoft 365 Copilot capabilities.

Which Microsoft applications are covered during the course?

The course demonstrates how Microsoft Copilot can be used with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneDrive, to save time and improve productivity.

Will I learn how to write effective prompts?

Yes. Participants learn prompt-writing techniques and best practices to help them generate better responses, summaries, documents, presentations, and insights using Microsoft Copilot.

Can Microsoft Copilot help with everyday work tasks?

Yes. Microsoft Copilot can assist with drafting emails, creating documents, analysing spreadsheets, generating presentations, summarising meetings, and managing information across Microsoft 365.

Is this course suitable for organisations rolling out Copilot?

Yes. The training is ideal for organisations introducing Microsoft Copilot and looking to improve user adoption, increase productivity, and establish good AI usage practices.

Do you provide customised Microsoft Copilot training?

Yes. Microsoft Copilot training can be tailored to your organisation's Microsoft 365 environment, business processes, and industry requirements.

Is Microsoft Copilot training available online?

Yes. Introduction to Microsoft Copilot training can be delivered online via Microsoft Teams or on-site throughout Ireland.