Mastering Microsoft Copilot Prompts: Unlocking Efficiency and Creativity

You may have recently read our introduction to Microsoft Copilot which provided some practical use cases for incorporating this AI technology into your daily tasks. But to get the most out of Microsoft Copilot, you need to know how to communicate with it effectively. This is where prompting comes in. A good prompt gives Copilot the right instructions to generate accurate, relevant, and useful results. As you get started, we’ve put together a guide on Microsoft Copilot prompts with some helpful tips to ensure you get the most out of this powerful tool.

What is a prompt?

Simply put, a prompt is a request or command that you give to Microsoft Copilot to perform a task.

Why good prompting matters

Microsoft Copilot relies on your prompts to understand what you need. A vague prompt can lead to ambiguous or incorrect outputs, while a well-crafted prompt can get the job done quickly and effectively. By mastering Microsoft 365 prompts, you’ll be able to unlock Copilot’s full potential, save time, and boost your productivity.

Our top six tips for crafting effective Microsoft Copilot prompts

Here’s everything you need to know to develop your prompting skills.

1. Start with clear, direct language

With prompts for Microsoft Copilot, clarity is key. Avoid vague instructions and be as direct as possible. For instance, if you’re asking Copilot to create a report, specify the type of report, the data it should use, and any other relevant details. The more detailed your request, the better Copilot can understand and deliver.

Example prompt:

• Vague: “Summarize this data.”
• Clear: “Summarize the Q1 sales data, highlighting the top-performing regions and noting any sales increases over 10%.”

2. Be specific about formatting

Whether you need a document, spreadsheet, or email in a specific format, include the formatting instructions in your prompt. This saves you time on editing later and ensures you get the results in the format you want right away.

Example prompt:

• “Create a bulleted list of the top 5 marketing strategies for 2024.”
• “Generate a table showing projected sales for Q3 and Q4 in Excel.”

3. Keep it conversational

The great thing about Microsoft Copilot is that it understands natural language, which means you don’t have to speak to it like a computer. The best Microsoft Copilot prompts are written in the same way you would ask a coworker for help, using everyday language and commands.

Example prompt:

• “Can you help me draft an introduction for my presentation on project timelines?”
• “Please write an outline for a blog post about the benefits of remote work.”

4. Ask follow-up questions

Sometimes, the first result you get from Microsoft Copilot might not be exactly what you need. That’s okay! You can ask follow-up questions or make adjustments to fine-tune the output.

Example prompt:

• Initial prompt: “Summarize this 10-page report on market trends.”
• Follow-up: “Can you make the summary shorter and focus only on the key trends in technology?”

5. Provide examples or context

If you want a very specific result, providing context or examples can help Microsoft Copilot understand your intent better. Including a brief example or explaining the tone and style you want Copilot to use will give it more guidance.

Example prompt:

• “Write a professional email offering a discount to clients who renew their contracts, similar to the tone used in the email I sent last month.”

6. Break down complex requests

For more complex tasks, it’s helpful to break your Microsoft 365 Copilot prompts down into smaller steps. If you try to ask for too much in a single prompt, Copilot may get confused or give incomplete results. Instead, work through the process one step at a time, guiding Copilot through each part of the task.

Example prompt:

• Step 1: “Create a report summarizing sales data for Q1.”
• Step 2: “Now add a chart showing the top-performing regions.”
• Step 3: “Lastly, include a bullet-point summary of key insights.”
  
  

Learn and grow as you use Microsoft Copilot prompts

As you use Microsoft Copilot prompts more, you’ll notice patterns in the types of prompts that work best for your needs. Don’t be afraid to experiment and learn from the results you get. Over time, you’ll develop a stronger sense of how to craft prompts that yield the best outcomes, and your workflow will become more seamless.

This AI-powered technology is a fantastic tool for improving the efficiency of your daily work. We are helping our managed IT clients with the technological requirements and deployment [link to deployment blog once published] of Microsoft Copilot. So, continue to watch for blogs and webinars from us about tips and guidelines for incorporating this tool into your organization. In the meantime, let’s have a conversation about the first steps.