Getting started with Copilot

To start, we’ll be accessing the free version of Copilot via its web chat interface: copilot.microsoft.com. This is the easiest way to start using it. Note, that you'll need a Microsoft account to use the full range of features from Copilot, even in this free web chat experience.

As mentioned in the previous lesson, Copilot for individuals has both a free and pro version. You can upgrade to Copilot Pro for $20/month (correct as of Aug 2024) via account.microsoft.com. You’ll need an upgraded account to access the below features:

• Priority access to GPT-4 Turbo during peak times for faster performance
• Copilot in select Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Generate images and enhance them using 100 daily boosts with Designer

A quick tour of the Copilot interface

To get started, we’ll go to the Copilot web version to learn the basics of interacting with the AI assistant. The Copilot interface can vary slightly depending on which version you're using, but generally, it follows a similar pattern:

‍Chatbox: This is where you type your prompts or questions for Copilot. It's usually at the bottom of the interface. In the web version, you can upload images and use the speech-to-text option.

Conversation history: Previous exchanges with Copilot are typically displayed next to the chatbox, allowing you to refer back to previous conversations.

New chat button: Usually located near the chatbox, this allows you to start a fresh conversation with Copilot.

Settings or options: This will include things like changing the appearance, language, and privacy settings of Copilot.

Integration with Microsoft 365 apps: In the Microsoft 365 apps, Copilot can interact directly with your current document or data. Its appearance and features will vary from application to application, but it’ll typically be accessible via a Copilot icon in the top ribbon and appear as a sidebar chat experience on the right side of your document.

To start using Copilot, simply type your prompt or question into the chat box and press enter. Copilot will generate a response based on your input. You can continue the conversation by asking follow-up questions or providing more information.

Why choose Microsoft Copilot?

While there are several AI assistants available, Microsoft Copilot offers unique advantages:

1. Deep integration with Microsoft ecosystem: Copilot works seamlessly within Microsoft applications you likely already use, like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
2. Context-aware assistance: Because it's integrated into your work environment, Copilot can provide more relevant and contextual help than standalone AI chatbots.
3. Enterprise-grade security and compliance: For business users, Copilot adheres to Microsoft's strict security and compliance standards.
4. Customized to your organization: In enterprise settings, Copilot can be tailored to understand your company's specific terminology and processes.
5. Consistent AI assistant across multiple platforms: From Office applications to Windows OS to development environments, you get a consistent AI helper.
6. Regular updates and improvements: As part of Microsoft's core strategy, Copilot receives frequent updates and new features.

Using Copilot across your Microsoft applications can significantly boost your productivity. For instance, rather than spending time formatting a document in Word, you can ask Copilot to do it for you. Or in Excel, instead of manually creating complex formulas, you can describe what you want to Copilot, and it will generate the formula for you.

Remember, while Copilot is powerful, it's designed to assist and augment your work, not replace human judgment. Always review and verify Copilot's outputs, especially for important or sensitive tasks.

Continue to the next tutorial when you're ready to learn more about effectively using Microsoft Copilot for personal productivity!

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This tutorial was created by Garrett.