Learn Copilot with Rishona

Microsoft Copilot tips, prompts and shortcuts 🪄

Learn how to save time in Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel and PowerPoint with Copilot.

[Learn Copilot with Rishona @LearnCopilot]

Welcome to Learn Copilot with Rishona

I'm Rishona Elijah, a Microsoft MVP and trainer who helps people get more value from Microsoft Copilot.

Discover new ways to save time and work smarter with Copilot.
🔗 LinkedIn: https://t.co/ctZzq2nINd 🔗 Blog: https://t.co/SHAQdTHikC

[Learn Copilot with Rishona @LearnCopilot]

Need to know who in your organisation has worked on something similar?

In Copilot, run the prompt with Work IQ on:

"Who has been involved in conversations or documents about [topic]?"

[Learn Copilot with Rishona @LearnCopilot]

"I want to learn about the types of things Copilot in Excel can do. Can you generate a spreadsheet with mock data for me, then give me a list of 20 prompts I can try, which demonstrate your capabilities for a casual Excel user like me."

[Learn Copilot with Rishona @LearnCopilot]

You don't have to test Copilot on your real work spreadsheets.

If you're looking for extra practice, ask it in Excel to build a practice workbook with mock data. You get a safe sandbox and a guided tour of what it can do, all in one go.

Prompt in the reply ⬇️

[Learn Copilot with Rishona @LearnCopilot]

Fixing "Last, First" names one cell at a time in Excel is time you won't get back. Ask Copilot in Edit mode:

"Create a new column that shows people's first names, then a space, then their last names."

It works for splitting [email protected] email addresses too.

[Learn Copilot with Rishona @LearnCopilot]

You shouldn't have to explain job to Copilot at the start of every chat. Tell it once:

"Remember that I [explain your common tasks/audience/other context about you]"

Copilot can then shape its future responses around that.

[Learn Copilot with Rishona @LearnCopilot]

Your PowerPoint already has the approved messages, structure and visuals.

The only thing missing is you presenting it.

Copilot can write the narration, add a voiceover and turn the deck into a video people can watch without a live presenter.

Check out how Create feature can generate videos from your presentations within minutes: https://t.co/xqtjHCyLLo

[Learn Copilot with Rishona @LearnCopilot]

@DerekJohnsonSV I've been seeing so many incredible creations with this. I'm glad we'll no longer be stuck watching presentations that are a block of heavy text on a slide 🙌

[Learn Copilot with Rishona @LearnCopilot]

It's usually web browser version of the Microsoft apps that get the new Copilot features first.

If you are waiting for a new feature to drop, check if it's available there first. You can access all the browser apps (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook) from here https://t.co/4satW1Oojx

[Learn Copilot with Rishona @LearnCopilot]

After running a task in Copilot's Researcher, try the "Infographic" option. It can take the detailed findings from Researcher and turn it into shareable overview.

[Learn Copilot with Rishona @LearnCopilot]

"The current presentation is a corporate template containing approved layouts and design elements. Treat this file as a template only, not as content. Generate a new presentation about [describe presentation or attach files]

Instructions for layout usage:
- Use only the layouts available in the current presentation
- Select layouts based on the content needs of each slide
- Reuse layouts as many times as needed
- Do not attempt to use every layout

Instructions for slide creation:
- Create a complete, well structured presentation with logical flow (title, agenda, sections, content, summary)
- Add slides as required to fully represent the attached content
- Use the icons in this template throughout the presentation where relevant
- Do not create any new icons or images
- Add speaker notes to the presentation
- Include charts where necessary to represent the data. The chart styling must align to the sample charts in the template

Clean-up and finalisation:
-Remove all original template slides and placeholder slides that are not used
Remove duplicate or unused layouts that were not populated with content"

[Learn Copilot with Rishona @LearnCopilot]

Stop rebuilding decks slide by slide just to fit your corporate template.

Open your template in PowerPoint, attach your source file and ask Copilot to build the whole deck using only your approved layouts (chart design and icons included)

PROMPT ⬇️

[Learn Copilot with Rishona @LearnCopilot]

Find the gaps in your deck before your audience does 👩‍🏫
Set Copilot to Chat only in your PowerPoint presentation and try a prompt like this to gather feedback:
"Act as a [audience or customer name] watching this presentation. Provide feedback on areas that may need further clarification or information provided."

[Learn Copilot with Rishona @LearnCopilot]

Letting Copilot edit a report you've spent hours on feels risky.

In Word, turn on Track Changes first (Review > Track Changes)

Every Copilot edit then shows up as a tracked revision, so you can accept or reject each change just like feedback from a colleague.

[Learn Copilot with Rishona @LearnCopilot]

Most people attach files to Copilot for content.

Try attaching them for design.

If you attach a PowerPoint presentation that already contains your company's branding, Copilot can use it as a style reference when creating dashboards and reports in Excel.
E.g.
"Create a tool I can use for tracking marketing campaigns. On one sheet, create a table with 10 rows of fictional data and columns I'd need. On the same sheet, create a dashboard with charts. Use the exact same style and colours as in the attached presentation, including table and chart design. [attach your PPT file]"

[Learn Copilot with Rishona @LearnCopilot]

One of the easiest ways to improve consistency across documents: Select a section in your Word doc and ask Copilot:

"Update this text to match the writing style used in [document]."

Useful when multiple people contribute to reports, policies or project documentation and the final document needs one consistent voice.

[Learn Copilot with Rishona @LearnCopilot]

A practical prompt formula for generating a first draft in Word with Copilot

✒️“Create a draft of [format] about [topic]. Use [file] as a reference. Write for [audience] in a [tone] tone. Keep it under [length]"

[Learn Copilot with Rishona @LearnCopilot]

You can queue follow-up prompts in Copilot for PowerPoint while the current request is still running. Copilot works through your instructions in sequence, so you can keep refining the deck without waiting between prompts.

[Learn Copilot with Rishona @LearnCopilot]

Need to practise a conversation?

Ask Copilot Voice to take on a persona, including the person’s situation and concerns. It can talk back in character while you practise responding naturally in real time.

[Learn Copilot with Rishona @LearnCopilot]

Giving Copilot an example can save more time than adding another paragraph of instructions.

Attach a trusted template, sample message or organising framework. Ask Copilot to follow its structure, tone and formatting while creating the new content.