How to use Microsoft Copilot?
To use Microsoft Copilot, open copilot.microsoft.com or the free Copilot app, sign in with a Microsoft account, and type a request in plain English, like 'summarize this document' or 'draft an email.' Inside Word, Excel, Outlook, or Teams (with a paid plan), click the Copilot button to work on your files directly.
Why — the first-principles explanation
Using Copilot is fundamentally about writing good prompts, because Copilot is a language model that responds to instructions. A prompt is just your request in normal English. The clearer and more specific your instruction, the better the result, since the model has more to work with. "Write something about sales" is vague; "Write a 100-word upbeat email announcing our 20% summer sale to existing customers" gives the model a target.
There are two main ways to reach Copilot. The standalone chat (website or app) is a general assistant for questions, drafts, images, and web research. The embedded Copilot inside Microsoft 365 apps works on the file in front of you: summarizing a Word doc, building an Excel formula, or drafting a reply in Outlook. The embedded version needs a paid Microsoft 365 Copilot license; the standalone chat has a free tier.
A useful mental model is instruct, then refine. You rarely get the perfect answer on the first try. You ask, read the draft, then follow up: "make it shorter," "more formal," "add a bullet list." Copilot remembers the conversation, so each follow-up builds on the last. This back-and-forth is the real skill.
Finally, always review the output. Copilot can be confidently wrong, a behavior called hallucination, so treat its answers as a fast first draft to check, not a final authority, especially for facts, numbers, and anything important.
An example that makes it click
Using Copilot is like texting a talented intern who works instantly. You would not text "do the report" and expect magic. You would text "Draft a one-page summary of the attached sales figures, highlight the top 3 products, and keep it under 200 words." Ten seconds later the intern texts back a draft.
You read it and reply "Good, but make the tone more casual and add a chart idea." The intern revises. You keep nudging until it is right. The intern is fast and tireless but sometimes makes things up, so you always proofread before sending it to your boss.
How to do it
- Go to copilot.microsoft.com in a browser, or download the free Microsoft Copilot app on Windows, iPhone, or Android.
- Sign in with a personal Microsoft account (or a work account for business features) to save chat history and unlock more.
- Type a clear, specific request in the message box, such as 'Summarize this article in 5 bullet points.'
- Attach a file or image if you want Copilot to analyze it, using the upload or paperclip icon.
- Read the response, then refine with follow-ups like 'make it shorter' or 'more formal.'
- To use Copilot inside Word, Excel, Outlook, or Teams, open the app with a paid Microsoft 365 Copilot license and click the Copilot button in the ribbon.
- Always review and fact-check the output before using it for anything important.
Key facts
- The standalone Copilot chat is available free at copilot.microsoft.com and via apps for Windows, iOS, and Android.
- Signing in with a Microsoft account saves chat history and increases usage limits.
- Copilot inside Microsoft 365 apps (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams) requires a paid Copilot license.
- Copilot can accept uploaded files and images for analysis in most versions.
- Follow-up prompts refine results because Copilot remembers the current conversation.
Microsoft's assistant across Windows, Edge, and Microsoft 365.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.▶ The 60-second explainer (script)
Here's how to use Microsoft Copilot in under a minute. Start by opening copilot.microsoft.com or downloading the free Copilot app. Sign in with a Microsoft account to save your chats and get higher limits. Now just type what you want in plain English. The secret is being specific: instead of 'write about our sale,' try 'write a 100-word cheerful email about our 20 percent summer sale.' Hit enter, and Copilot writes it in seconds. Want to change it? Just reply 'make it shorter' or 'more formal', Copilot remembers the conversation and refines it. You can also upload a document or image and ask Copilot to summarize or analyze it. If you have a paid Microsoft 365 Copilot plan, you'll see a Copilot button right inside Word, Excel, and Outlook to work on your actual files. One rule to remember: Copilot is fast but not perfect, so always read and fact-check before you use its answer.
What authoritative sources say
People also ask
Do I need to pay to use Copilot?
No. The standalone Copilot chat is free. Only the versions embedded inside Word, Excel, and other Office apps require a paid plan.
How do I write a good Copilot prompt?
Be specific about the task, length, tone, and audience. Then refine with follow-up messages until the answer fits.
Can Copilot read my files?
Yes. You can upload documents and images in the chat, and paid Microsoft 365 Copilot works directly on files in your apps.
Should I trust Copilot's answers?
Treat them as a fast first draft. Copilot can make mistakes, so review facts and numbers before relying on them.