Microsoft Copilot Cheat Sheet
A quick reference for Microsoft Copilot: how it works across Windows, Edge and Microsoft 365, its Vision, Voice and Think Deeper modes, and how to prompt it well. Free to print or save as a PDF.
Modes
| Feature | Description | Example / tip |
|---|---|---|
| Copilot takes longer to reason through complex questions instead of answering instantly. | Use it to plan or compare options | |
| It can look at your screen or a web page and talk you through it. | 'What should I change on this page?' | |
| Have a natural spoken conversation, hands-free. | Ask a question out loud | |
| A side canvas where you collect and build on Copilot's answers. | Draft a plan you keep editing together |
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Where it helps
| Feature | Description | Example / tip |
|---|---|---|
| Drafts in Word, formulas and analysis in Excel, slides in PowerPoint, and email in Outlook. | 'Summarize this Word doc' | |
| Answer questions, summarize pages and compare things from the sidebar. | Summarize the page you're reading | |
| Generate images with Designer, built on DALL-E. | 'Make a hero image for a slide' | |
| Summarize, rewrite, brainstorm, translate and plan. | 'Rewrite this email to be warmer' |
Prompting tips
| Feature | Description | Example / tip |
|---|---|---|
| State who it should act as, the single task, and the output you want. | 'As a recruiter, write a 120-word JD' | |
| In Office apps, reference the document, sheet or email you mean. | 'Add a chart from this table' | |
| Let Copilot see the screen instead of describing it in words. | 'Walk me through this dashboard' |
Frequently asked questions
What is Microsoft Copilot?
Microsoft Copilot is an AI assistant built on OpenAI models and woven across Microsoft's products: Windows, the Edge browser and the Microsoft 365 apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams). It can write, summarize, analyze data, generate images and answer questions.
What is the difference between free Copilot, Copilot Pro and Microsoft 365 Copilot?
Free Copilot covers general chat, web answers and image creation. Copilot Pro adds priority access to the best model and Copilot features inside the Office apps for individuals. Microsoft 365 Copilot is the business plan that works across your organization's work data in Microsoft 365.
Do ChatGPT prompts work in Microsoft Copilot?
Yes. Copilot runs on OpenAI models, so clear roles, context and format instructions transfer directly. In the Office apps, the extra move is to point Copilot at a specific file, table or email rather than pasting the content in.
Can Copilot see my screen?
Copilot Vision can view and discuss a web page or your screen when you turn it on, so you can ask about what you are looking at instead of describing it. You choose when to share, and it is off by default.
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