Internal Training
Created by Ryan Aqui

Microsoft 365 Copilot
Masterclass

From curious to capable in one session.

🔍
🎯 Personalize your learning path:
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Workshop Overview
Learning Menu
~180 min total

Before we begin: Open m365copilot.com in your browser and sign in with your Niagara credentials. Confirm you see the Copilot icon in your Microsoft 365 apps. Your laptop is your playground today — try every exercise yourself.

Open M365 Copilot ↗
1. Outlook
Summarize · Draft · Coach · Schedule · Agentic AI
~25 min
2. Teams
Intelligent Recap · Facilitator · Chat summary
~15 min
3. Word
Draft · Rewrite · Agentic multi-step edits
~15 min
4. Excel
Agentic AI · =COPILOT() · Web data · Charts
~15 min
5. PowerPoint
Brand Kit · From prompt · From file · Designer
~10 min
6. Cowork
Delegate multi-step workflows across M365 apps
~15 min
7. Workflows
Automate tasks with natural language (Frontier)
~15 min
8. App Builder
Build apps without code (Frontier)
~15 min
9. Create
Images · Infographics · Posters · Videos · Banners
~10 min
10. Chat
Cross-app research · File Q&A · Chat-first creation
~15 min
11. Notebooks
Personal AI workspace · Ideation · Deep research
~10 min
12. Prompt Mastery
GCSE · RACE · Framework comparison · Power combos
~15 min
13. Roadmap
Cowork · Work IQ · Agent 365 · E7 Suite
~10 min
Wrap-Up & Q&A
Resources · Prompt Library · Next steps
~10 min
💡 Ground Rules: Try every exercise yourself. Ask questions as we go. Your output will differ from your neighbor's — that's expected. There are no wrong prompts — Copilot rewards specificity.
Module 1
Outlook
~25 min

Think of Copilot in Outlook like a sharp executive assistant sitting next to you — it reads the room (your inbox), summarizes what matters, drafts professional replies, and even coaches your tone before you hit send.

Open Outlook ↗
What You'll Learn
  • Summarize long email threads and extract action items instantly
  • Draft, rewrite, and coach emails with AI assistance
  • Use agentic Copilot features for scheduling and auto-RSVP
✓ Exercise 1.1 Summarize an Email ThreadBeginner ~2 min▼
Find a long email thread (5+ messages) in your inbox
Click the Summary by Copilot button at the top of the email thread
Review: Copilot highlights key decisions, open questions, and action items
Click the Copy button (top right of the summary) to copy it for use elsewhere
💡 Pro Tip: Summarize works best with threads that have back-and-forth discussion. A single broadcast email won't have much to summarize.
Open Outlook ↗
Click New Mail to start a new email
Click Copilot in the menu ribbon (or the chat bubble icon in the email body)
Copy and paste (or type) the prompt below into the Copilot window and press Enter
Click the pencil icon in the email body to tell Copilot what you want to change, or select from the drop-down menu options
Try This Prompt
Draft a professional email to my team announcing that our Q2 planning meeting has been moved to next Thursday at 2 PM. Include a reminder to review the shared planning document in SharePoint before the meeting. Keep the tone friendly but action-oriented.
Sales Example
Draft a professional email to my sales team announcing that our Q2 territory planning meeting has been moved to next Thursday at 2 PM. Include a reminder to review the updated account target list and regional volume forecasts in the shared SharePoint folder before the meeting. Keep the tone friendly but action-oriented.
Finance Example
Draft a professional email to the finance team announcing that our Q2 budget reconciliation meeting has been moved to next Thursday at 2 PM. Include a reminder to review the latest cost variance report and the updated P&L summary in SharePoint before the meeting. Keep the tone friendly but action-oriented.
HR / People Ops Example
Draft a professional email to the HR team announcing that our Q2 workforce planning meeting has been moved to next Thursday at 2 PM. Include a reminder to review the updated headcount tracker and open requisition list in SharePoint before the meeting. Keep the tone friendly but action-oriented.
Manufacturing / Operations Example
Draft a professional email to the plant operations team announcing that our Q2 production scheduling meeting has been moved to next Thursday at 2 PM. Include a reminder to review the updated line efficiency reports and planned downtime calendar in SharePoint before the meeting. Keep the tone friendly but action-oriented.
Engineering Example
Draft a professional email to the engineering team announcing that our Q2 capital projects review meeting has been moved to next Thursday at 2 PM. Include a reminder to review the updated project timelines and equipment specification documents in SharePoint before the meeting. Keep the tone friendly but action-oriented.
IT / Help Desk Example
Draft a professional email to the IT team announcing that our Q2 infrastructure roadmap meeting has been moved to next Thursday at 2 PM. Include a reminder to review the open ticket backlog report and the planned system upgrade schedule in SharePoint before the meeting. Keep the tone friendly but action-oriented.
Supply Chain / Logistics Example
Draft a professional email to the supply chain team announcing that our Q2 distribution planning meeting has been moved to next Thursday at 2 PM. Include a reminder to review the updated freight lane analysis and warehouse capacity projections in SharePoint before the meeting. Keep the tone friendly but action-oriented.
Marketing Example
Draft a professional email to the marketing team announcing that our Q2 campaign planning meeting has been moved to next Thursday at 2 PM. Include a reminder to review the updated brand guidelines and the retail promotion calendar in SharePoint before the meeting. Keep the tone friendly but action-oriented.
Legal / Compliance Example
Draft a professional email to the legal and compliance team announcing that our Q2 regulatory review meeting has been moved to next Thursday at 2 PM. Include a reminder to review the updated compliance audit tracker and pending contract summaries in SharePoint before the meeting. Keep the tone friendly but action-oriented.
Quality Assurance Example
Draft a professional email to the QA team announcing that our Q2 quality metrics review meeting has been moved to next Thursday at 2 PM. Include a reminder to review the updated CAPA log and the SQF audit preparation checklist in SharePoint before the meeting. Keep the tone friendly but action-oriented.
Procurement Example
Draft a professional email to the procurement team announcing that our Q2 vendor strategy meeting has been moved to next Thursday at 2 PM. Include a reminder to review the updated resin pricing tracker and supplier scorecard in SharePoint before the meeting. Keep the tone friendly but action-oriented.
Customer Service Example
Draft a professional email to the customer service team announcing that our Q2 service level review meeting has been moved to next Thursday at 2 PM. Include a reminder to review the updated call volume trends and customer complaint summary in SharePoint before the meeting. Keep the tone friendly but action-oriented.
💡 Pro Tip: The more context you give, the better the draft. Mention names, dates, desired tone, and specific action items for the best results.
Open Outlook ↗
Compose a new email — write at least 100 characters of your own text
Click the pencil icon to the left of your drafted text in the email body
From the Copilot menu that appears, click Get Coaching
Review the coaching summary — then click Apply all suggestions, Retry, or Discard
🔑 Key Insight: Coaching doesn't rewrite your email — it analyzes it and suggests improvements. Think of it as a communication coach reviewing your draft before you send.
Feature What It Does Best For
Draft Generates a new email from your prompt Starting from scratch
Coaching Reviews YOUR text and suggests edits Polishing a draft you wrote
Summarize Condenses long threads into key points Catching up on conversations
Open Outlook ↗
Open an email thread and click Schedule with Copilot on the ribbon
Copilot finds an available time for all participants and drafts an agenda — you also have the option to have Copilot find a room for you, and you can Turn on Facilitator (off by default)
Copilot recommends a time when everyone (or most people) is available. It also summarizes the email chain and attaches the original email for reference
Click Send, or use the dropdown to Save as draft and send later
💡 Pro Tip: You can also use Chat in Outlook to ask things like "When is my next meeting with [person]?" or "Triage my inbox" — it now understands your entire inbox and calendar.
Open Outlook ↗
Click the Copilot icon in the left side panel menu (not the Copilot button in the ribbon) to open Copilot chat
Try the prompt below to get an intelligent inbox triage
Copilot now reasons over your entire inbox, calendar, meetings, and enterprise data
Try This Prompt
Which unread emails are most important? Summarize them, synthesize any related context from my chats and documents, and prioritize the order in which I should respond.
Sales Example
Which unread emails are most important? Prioritize anything from key retail accounts, pricing approval requests, or messages about volume commitments. Summarize them, pull in any related context from my chats and documents, and recommend the order I should respond in.
Finance Example
Which unread emails are most important? Prioritize anything related to month-end close deadlines, budget variance approvals, or audit requests. Summarize them, synthesize any related context from my chats and documents, and recommend the order I should respond in.
HR / People Ops Example
Which unread emails are most important? Prioritize anything involving employee relations issues, time-sensitive offer letters, or benefits enrollment deadlines. Summarize them, synthesize any related context from my chats and documents, and recommend the order I should respond in.
Manufacturing / Operations Example
Which unread emails are most important? Prioritize anything about unplanned line downtime, safety incidents, or production schedule changes. Summarize them, synthesize any related context from my chats and documents, and recommend the order I should respond in.
Engineering Example
Which unread emails are most important? Prioritize anything about equipment failures, capital project milestone approvals, or change orders from contractors. Summarize them, synthesize any related context from my chats and documents, and recommend the order I should respond in.
IT / Help Desk Example
Which unread emails are most important? Prioritize anything about system outages, security alerts, or escalated help desk tickets from plant operations. Summarize them, synthesize any related context from my chats and documents, and recommend the order I should respond in.
Supply Chain / Logistics Example
Which unread emails are most important? Prioritize anything about shipment delays, carrier capacity issues, or warehouse inventory alerts. Summarize them, synthesize any related context from my chats and documents, and recommend the order I should respond in.
Marketing Example
Which unread emails are most important? Prioritize anything about upcoming retail launch deadlines, packaging artwork approvals, or co-marketing requests from accounts. Summarize them, synthesize any related context from my chats and documents, and recommend the order I should respond in.
Legal / Compliance Example
Which unread emails are most important? Prioritize anything about contract redlines with approaching deadlines, regulatory filing due dates, or escalated compliance concerns. Summarize them, synthesize any related context from my chats and documents, and recommend the order I should respond in.
Quality Assurance Example
Which unread emails are most important? Prioritize anything about product hold notices, customer quality complaints, or upcoming SQF or FDA audit communications. Summarize them, synthesize any related context from my chats and documents, and recommend the order I should respond in.
Procurement Example
Which unread emails are most important? Prioritize anything about resin or preform price change notifications, purchase order exceptions, or supplier delivery escalations. Summarize them, synthesize any related context from my chats and documents, and recommend the order I should respond in.
Customer Service Example
Which unread emails are most important? Prioritize anything about escalated customer complaints, order shortage claims, or delivery exception notifications. Summarize them, synthesize any related context from my chats and documents, and recommend the order I should respond in.
Open Outlook ↗
🔑 Power Move: Chain Copilot features together in one email workflow. First, Summarize a long thread to understand the context. Then use Draft to create your response based on that context. Finally, run Coaching on your draft to polish tone and clarity before sending. This 3-step sequence — Summarize → Draft → Coach — turns a 15-minute email into a 2-minute task.
Click New to draft a new email
In the Copilot prompt window, describe what you want the email to say — Copilot drafts it directly in the email body
Use follow-up prompts to iterate on tone, length, or add context
Try This Prompt
Draft an email to the logistics team following up on action items from last week's supply chain review meeting. Summarize the key decisions, list open items, and ask for status updates by Friday. Keep it concise and executive-ready.
Sales Example
Draft an email to the regional sales managers following up on action items from last week's quarterly business review. Summarize the key decisions on account prioritization and pricing strategy, list any open items around volume commitments, and ask for status updates by Friday. Keep it concise and executive-ready.
Finance Example
Draft an email to the finance team following up on action items from last week's month-end close review meeting. Summarize the key decisions on accrual adjustments and intercompany reconciliation, list open items, and ask for status updates by Friday. Keep it concise and executive-ready.
HR / People Ops Example
Draft an email to the HR business partners following up on action items from last week's talent review meeting. Summarize the key decisions on succession planning and open backfill positions, list open items around onboarding timelines, and ask for status updates by Friday. Keep it concise and executive-ready.
Manufacturing / Operations Example
Draft an email to the plant managers following up on action items from last week's production performance review. Summarize the key decisions on line speed targets and planned maintenance windows, list open items around OEE improvements, and ask for status updates by Friday. Keep it concise and executive-ready.
Engineering Example
Draft an email to the engineering project leads following up on action items from last week's capital project status review. Summarize the key decisions on equipment installation timelines and vendor selection, list open items around permitting and site prep, and ask for status updates by Friday. Keep it concise and executive-ready.
IT / Help Desk Example
Draft an email to the IT operations team following up on action items from last week's infrastructure review meeting. Summarize the key decisions on the server migration timeline and cybersecurity patching schedule, list open items, and ask for status updates by Friday. Keep it concise and executive-ready.
Supply Chain / Logistics Example
Draft an email to the logistics team following up on action items from last week's supply chain review meeting. Summarize the key decisions on carrier reallocation and warehouse slotting changes, list open items around load optimization, and ask for status updates by Friday. Keep it concise and executive-ready.
Marketing Example
Draft an email to the marketing team following up on action items from last week's brand planning meeting. Summarize the key decisions on the private-label packaging refresh and retail display strategy, list open items around creative deliverables, and ask for status updates by Friday. Keep it concise and executive-ready.
Legal / Compliance Example
Draft an email to the legal team following up on action items from last week's contract review meeting. Summarize the key decisions on co-packer agreement terms and liability clause revisions, list open items around pending regulatory filings, and ask for status updates by Friday. Keep it concise and executive-ready.
Quality Assurance Example
Draft an email to the quality team following up on action items from last week's CAPA review meeting. Summarize the key decisions on root cause findings and corrective action owners, list open items around verification testing, and ask for status updates by Friday. Keep it concise and executive-ready.
Procurement Example
Draft an email to the procurement team following up on action items from last week's vendor management review. Summarize the key decisions on resin supplier consolidation and contract renewal timelines, list open items around pricing negotiations, and ask for status updates by Friday. Keep it concise and executive-ready.
Customer Service Example
Draft an email to the customer service leads following up on action items from last week's service performance review. Summarize the key decisions on escalation workflow changes and first-call resolution targets, list open items around training rollout, and ask for status updates by Friday. Keep it concise and executive-ready.
Iterate in Place
Rewrite this email to be more concise and executive-ready. Keep the ask in the first two lines. Add a bullet list of the 3 action items from the meeting and include deadlines.
💡 What's New: Unlike standard Draft, agentic drafting uses Work IQ to pull context from your meetings, chats, and files automatically — you don't need to tell it where to look. Copilot reasons over your entire M365 graph to ground the email.
Open Outlook ↗
In Outlook, go to File → Settings → Copilot → Calendar instructions
Click Create instruction to define your RSVP rules (e.g., always accept from your manager, decline office hours, etc.)
Copilot carries your instructions forward — it handles invites as your calendar evolves and keeps you informed of every action taken
Try These Custom Instructions
Always accept meetings from my manager if I am free. Always decline meetings with "office hours" in the title and remove canceled meetings. Follow meetings scheduled after 5 PM — don't accept, just track them. If two meetings conflict, prioritize the one with more senior attendees.
🔑 Key Insight: This is ongoing agentic behavior — Copilot doesn't just respond once. It carries your instructions forward and acts as your calendar evolves throughout the week. You stay in control with notifications for every action taken.
Open Outlook ↗
In Chat, describe what the meeting is about, when you'd like to meet, and who should be invited — Copilot checks availability across all attendees
Copilot shows you how each option fits on your Outlook calendar so you can pick the best one
Confirm and Copilot books the room, drafts an agenda, and sends invites
Try This Prompt
Schedule 30 minutes with Sarah, James, and Priya next week to decide on the launch plan for the Q3 packaging redesign. Book a room and include an agenda based on our last email thread about the project.
Sales Example
Schedule 30 minutes with Mike, Angela, and Derek next week to finalize the Q3 pricing proposal for our top grocery accounts. Book a room and include an agenda based on our last email thread about the volume discount tiers.
Finance Example
Schedule 30 minutes with Lisa, Tom, and Rachel next week to review the Q2 forecast variance and finalize budget reallocation recommendations. Book a room and include an agenda based on our last email thread about the cost center adjustments.
HR / People Ops Example
Schedule 30 minutes with Karen, David, and Melissa next week to finalize the updated shift differential policy for the plant hourly workforce. Book a room and include an agenda based on our last email thread about the compensation benchmark results.
Manufacturing / Operations Example
Schedule 30 minutes with Carlos, Brian, and Wendy next week to decide on the changeover schedule for the new lightweight bottle mold. Book a room and include an agenda based on our last email thread about the line trial results.
Engineering Example
Schedule 30 minutes with Kevin, Natalie, and Sam next week to finalize the scope of work for the blow molder upgrade at Plant 12. Book a room and include an agenda based on our last email thread about the vendor proposals and installation timeline.
IT / Help Desk Example
Schedule 30 minutes with Jay, Michelle, and Alex next week to plan the rollout of the new plant-floor MES integration. Book a room and include an agenda based on our last email thread about the pilot site feedback and deployment phases.
Supply Chain / Logistics Example
Schedule 30 minutes with Rosa, Jeff, and Tina next week to decide on the new carrier allocation plan for the Southeast distribution lanes. Book a room and include an agenda based on our last email thread about the freight rate bids.
Marketing Example
Schedule 30 minutes with Sarah, James, and Priya next week to decide on the launch plan for the Q3 packaging redesign. Book a room and include an agenda based on our last email thread about the updated label artwork and retailer timeline.
Legal / Compliance Example
Schedule 30 minutes with Andrea, Mark, and Christine next week to review the revised co-packer agreement and align on the indemnification clause language. Book a room and include an agenda based on our last email thread about the redline comments.
Quality Assurance Example
Schedule 30 minutes with Diane, Robert, and Yuki next week to finalize the corrective action plan for the recent micro hold event. Book a room and include an agenda based on our last email thread about the root cause investigation findings.
Procurement Example
Schedule 30 minutes with Victor, Laura, and Greg next week to finalize the resin supplier selection for the Q3-Q4 contract cycle. Book a room and include an agenda based on our last email thread about the bid evaluation matrix and pricing terms.
Customer Service Example
Schedule 30 minutes with Dana, Chris, and Tara next week to decide on the new escalation workflow for order shortage claims. Book a room and include an agenda based on our last email thread about the revised SLA targets and customer feedback trends.
Open Outlook ↗
Capability Standard Copilot Agentic Copilot (Now GA)
Drafting Single draft from your prompt End-to-end: draft → refine → send, grounded in Work IQ
Scheduling Suggest times Check availability, book room, draft agenda, send invite
RSVPs Manual accept/decline Ongoing auto-RSVP based on your custom rules
Context Current email thread Entire inbox, calendar, meetings, chats via Work IQ
Execution One response per prompt Multi-step workflows that persist and adapt
🔑 Power Move: Combine all three agentic Outlook capabilities into a Monday morning routine. First, set up auto-RSVP rules for the week. Then use agentic drafting to clear your follow-up backlog — "Draft follow-up emails for all meetings from last week that had open action items." Finally, ask Copilot to schedule any meetings needed for the week. Your entire inbox and calendar management — handled in one 5-minute chat session.
Module 2
Teams
~15 min

If Outlook Copilot is your email assistant, Teams Copilot is like having a note-taker who never misses a thing — it captures what was said, who committed to what, and what happens next, even after the meeting ends.

Open Teams ↗
What You'll Learn
  • Generate intelligent meeting recaps with action items
  • Use Copilot as a real-time facilitator during live meetings
  • Summarize busy chat threads and channels
❌ Weak Prompt
Summarize the meeting.
Too vague — Copilot doesn't know what to focus on
✅ Strong Prompt
Summarize the key decisions and action items from this meeting. List who is responsible for each action item and the deadline.
Specific output format + clear expectations = actionable results
✓ Exercise 2.1 Intelligent Meeting RecapBeginner ~2 min▼
Go to Calendar → find a recent meeting that had transcription enabled
Click the meeting → click the View recap button
Review the AI-generated summary: key topics, action items, and follow-ups
Try asking Copilot specific questions about the meeting in the Recap pane
Try These Follow-Up Prompts
What decisions were made in this meeting? What did [person's name] say about the timeline? List all action items with owners and deadlines.
🔑 Key Insight: Recaps now include AI summaries with specific topics, speaker attribution, and timestamps. You can also share recaps directly to SharePoint as a news post for team-wide visibility.
🎬 NEW — Video Recap (March 2026): When you ask Chat to summarize a meeting, you'll now get a video recap alongside the written summary. Video Recap transforms the meeting summary into a narrated highlight reel, combining key takeaways with short, relevant clips from the recording. Available for meetings that are at least 10 minutes long with recording enabled.
Open Teams ↗
Join or start a meeting with transcription enabled
Click the Copilot icon in the meeting toolbar
While the meeting is running, try these real-time prompts:
During-Meeting Prompts
Summarize the discussion so far. What questions are still unresolved? Rewrite the paragraph shared on screen, incorporating the feedback from the chat.
💡 Pro Tip: Copilot in Teams meetings now uses the unified Chat experience — the same one across Teams chats, channels, and the M365 Copilot app. It can analyze chat history, meeting transcripts, and calendar content to generate smart recaps, rewrite messages, and surface relevant insights.
Open Teams ↗
Open a busy Teams chat or channel thread
Click the Copilot icon at the top of the chat
Ask: "Summarize the key points from the last 30 days"
Copilot extracts main points, action items, and decisions using the last 30 days of history
🔑 Limitation: Copilot in Teams chat currently can't summarize images, Loop components, or files shared in the thread — it works best with text-based messages.
Open Teams ↗
🔑 Power Move: After a meeting, use Copilot's Intelligent Recap to generate action items, then immediately open Outlook and ask Copilot to "Draft a follow-up email to all meeting attendees with the action items and deadlines from our [meeting name] meeting." Copilot will pull context from the recap and draft the email in seconds. You just went from meeting → summary → follow-up in under 2 minutes — no notes required.
Module 3
Word
~15 min

Regular Copilot in Word is like dictating to an assistant — you tell it what to write and where. Edit with Copilot (previously called "Agent Mode") is like handing the document to a co-author who reads the whole thing, understands the context, and makes intelligent multi-step edits on your behalf. It reasons through changes before making them. This is now core to how Copilot works natively in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint — not a separate "mode" you switch into.

Open Word ↗
What You'll Learn
  • Draft new content from a prompt or reference file
  • Rewrite and adjust text for tone, clarity, and length
  • Use Edit with Copilot for multi-step document transformations
✓ Exercise 3.1 Draft with Copilot (Standard)Beginner ~2 min▼
Open a blank Word document
Click in the prompt window where it says "Describe what you'd like to draft with Copilot" — you can also click Add content to reference files and meetings, or use the microphone to describe by voice
Enter the prompt below and press Enter
Try This Prompt
Write a one-page executive summary on the benefits of AI-powered automation for manufacturing operations. Include 3 key benefits with real-world examples, and close with a recommended next step. Use a professional tone suitable for senior leadership.
Manufacturing / Operations Example
Write a one-page standard operating procedure (SOP) for the new palletizer changeover process on Line 4. Include safety precautions, step-by-step instructions, required tools, and estimated time per step. Format for posting on the production floor.
IT / Help Desk Example
Write a knowledge base article for the IT help desk explaining how to troubleshoot VPN connectivity issues for remote employees. Include common error codes, step-by-step resolution, and when to escalate to Tier 2 support.
Sales Example
Write a one-page executive summary on the benefits of AI-powered sales forecasting for Niagara Bottling's retail and wholesale channels. Include 3 key benefits with real-world examples such as improved demand prediction, faster quote turnaround, and account prioritization. Close with a recommended next step for the sales leadership team. Use a professional tone suitable for senior leadership.
Finance Example
Write a one-page executive summary on the benefits of AI-powered automation for financial planning and analysis at a high-volume manufacturing company. Include 3 key benefits with real-world examples such as automated variance reporting, faster month-end close, and predictive cash-flow modeling. Close with a recommended next step for the CFO's office. Use a professional tone suitable for senior leadership.
HR / People Ops Example
Write a one-page executive summary on the benefits of AI-powered automation for talent acquisition and workforce management in a multi-plant manufacturing environment. Include 3 key benefits with real-world examples such as automated candidate screening, predictive attrition modeling, and streamlined onboarding workflows. Close with a recommended next step for HR leadership. Use a professional tone suitable for senior leadership.
Engineering Example
Write a one-page executive summary on the benefits of AI-powered automation for bottling line engineering and equipment reliability. Include 3 key benefits with real-world examples such as predictive maintenance scheduling, automated CAD review for line upgrades, and real-time sensor anomaly detection. Close with a recommended next step for the engineering leadership team. Use a professional tone suitable for senior leadership.
Supply Chain / Logistics Example
Write a one-page executive summary on the benefits of AI-powered automation for supply chain planning and logistics at a national beverage distributor. Include 3 key benefits with real-world examples such as dynamic route optimization, automated inventory replenishment, and demand-driven distribution scheduling. Close with a recommended next step for the VP of Supply Chain. Use a professional tone suitable for senior leadership.
Marketing Example
Write a one-page executive summary on the benefits of AI-powered automation for brand marketing and consumer insights at a CPG bottled water company. Include 3 key benefits with real-world examples such as AI-generated campaign copy, automated social media sentiment analysis, and personalized retailer sell-sheets. Close with a recommended next step for the marketing leadership team. Use a professional tone suitable for senior leadership.
Legal / Compliance Example
Write a one-page executive summary on the benefits of AI-powered automation for contract management and regulatory compliance in the food and beverage industry. Include 3 key benefits with real-world examples such as automated contract clause review, regulatory change monitoring, and faster NDA turnaround. Close with a recommended next step for the General Counsel's office. Use a professional tone suitable for senior leadership.
Quality Assurance Example
Write a one-page executive summary on the benefits of AI-powered automation for quality assurance and food safety in a high-speed bottling operation. Include 3 key benefits with real-world examples such as automated defect detection on filling lines, predictive SPC charting, and AI-assisted audit documentation. Close with a recommended next step for the VP of Quality. Use a professional tone suitable for senior leadership.
Procurement Example
Write a one-page executive summary on the benefits of AI-powered automation for strategic procurement and vendor management at a large-scale bottling company. Include 3 key benefits with real-world examples such as automated spend analysis, AI-driven supplier risk scoring, and predictive raw-material price forecasting for resin and preforms. Close with a recommended next step for the procurement leadership team. Use a professional tone suitable for senior leadership.
Customer Service Example
Write a one-page executive summary on the benefits of AI-powered automation for customer service and order support at a national beverage supplier. Include 3 key benefits with real-world examples such as automated order-status responses, AI-powered complaint categorization, and predictive delivery-issue escalation. Close with a recommended next step for the customer service leadership team. Use a professional tone suitable for senior leadership.
Open Word ↗
Select a paragraph in your document
In the quick menu that appears, click Edit with Copilot
Select the desired option (e.g., Structure and Refine) or type your own instruction
Rewrite Variations
Simplify this to a 9th-grade reading level. Change to a formal tone suitable for external stakeholders. Shorten this to under 50 words while keeping the key message.
Open Word ↗
Click the Tools menu in the Copilot pane → select Edit with Copilot (formerly "Agent Mode")
Copilot reads your entire document and can make multiple edits in one go
Try the prompts below — watch Copilot reason through the changes step by step
Edit with Copilot Prompts
Add an executive summary at the top of this document, then reorganize all sections in order of business impact. Create a table at the end summarizing every action item mentioned in this document, with columns for Task, Owner, and Deadline. Rewrite all bullet points in this document as complete sentences and ensure consistent formatting throughout.
Mode Scope Best For
Draft Cursor position only Adding new sections
Rewrite Selected text only Editing existing text
Edit with Copilot Entire document Complex, multi-step transformations
💡 Analogy: Draft = adding a new ingredient. Rewrite = swapping an ingredient. Edit with Copilot = letting a chef reimagine the entire recipe.
Open Word ↗
🔑 Power Move: Use all three modes in sequence on the same document. Start by using Draft to generate a rough first section. Then select specific paragraphs and use Rewrite to refine the tone for your audience. Finally, switch to Edit with Copilot and say: "Now add an executive summary at the top, insert a table of contents, and ensure all headings follow a consistent format." — one document, three modes, polished output in minutes instead of hours.
Module 4
Excel
~15 min

Edit with Copilot in Excel (previously called "Agent Mode") is like having a data analyst on speed dial — it doesn't just answer questions about your data, it takes action: adds formulas, creates charts, reformats tables, and even pulls in web data to enrich your workbook.

Open Excel ↗
What You'll Learn
  • Analyze and transform datasets using natural language
  • Use the =COPILOT() function for in-cell AI
  • Enrich spreadsheets with live web data
❌ Weak Prompt
Make a chart of this data.
No chart type, no axis labels, no context on what to visualize
✅ Strong Prompt
Create a bar chart comparing Q1 vs Q2 production output by plant. Use plant names on the x-axis and units produced on the y-axis. Highlight any plant that declined more than 10%.
Chart type + axes + conditional formatting = presentation-ready visual
✓ Edit with Copilot Analyze & Transform DataAdvanced ~5 min▼
Open a workbook with data (sales figures, inventory, or any tabular data)
Copilot opens in Edit with Copilot mode by default — you can switch to Chat only using the Allow Editing dropdown
Try the suggested prompts below
Edit with Copilot Prompts
Summarize this workbook and provide interesting insights. How can Copilot help with this workbook? Explain and suggest a fix for this formula. Identify inconsistencies in the data and recommend how to fix them.
🔑 Key Feature: Edit with Copilot in Excel now lets you choose between OpenAI and Anthropic reasoning models — you can switch models to see which gives better results for your specific data task.
Supply Chain Example
Analyze this supplier delivery data. Calculate on-time delivery rate by vendor for Q1, flag any vendor below 95% OTD, and create a ranked scorecard table. Add a column showing the trend vs. last quarter.
IT / Help Desk Example
Analyze this IT ticket data. Break down tickets by category and priority, calculate average resolution time per category, and highlight any category where resolution time exceeds our 4-hour SLA. Add a summary row.
Open Excel ↗
Click on an empty cell in your workbook
Type =COPILOT( and describe what you need in plain English
Copilot generates the correct formula — review and press Enter
Try These =COPILOT() Formulas
=COPILOT("Calculate the year-over-year growth rate using columns B and C") =COPILOT("Return the most common value in column D") =COPILOT("Sum all values in column E where the date in column A is in Q1 2026")
💡 Analogy: =COPILOT() is like having a formula whisperer — you describe the outcome you want in English and it translates to the Excel formula you need. No more Googling VLOOKUP syntax!
⚠️ Note: This feature is currently in beta testing and only works in the Excel web app. Results may vary.
Open Excel ↗
Open a workbook with a list of company names or product categories
Using Edit with Copilot, ask Copilot to pull in web data
Copilot uses integrated web search to enrich your spreadsheet with external data
Try This Prompt
Look up the current market cap and headquarters city for each company listed in column A. Add this data as new columns next to the existing data.
Sales Example
Look up the annual revenue and number of retail locations for each grocery and convenience store chain listed in column A. Add Annual Revenue and Store Count as new columns next to the existing data.
Finance Example
Look up the current credit rating and most recent annual revenue for each company listed in column A. Add Credit Rating and Annual Revenue as new columns next to the existing data.
HR / People Ops Example
Look up the average salary range and typical years-of-experience requirement for each job title listed in column A, specific to the food and beverage manufacturing industry. Add Avg Salary Range and Experience Requirement as new columns.
Manufacturing / Operations Example
Look up the rated speed (bottles per minute) and typical maintenance interval for each bottling equipment model listed in column A. Add Rated Speed and Maintenance Interval as new columns next to the existing data.
Engineering Example
Look up the manufacturer, max operating pressure (PSI), and energy efficiency rating for each pump model listed in column A. Add Manufacturer, Max PSI, and Efficiency Rating as new columns.
IT / Help Desk Example
Look up the end-of-support date and latest patch version for each software product listed in column A. Add End-of-Support Date and Latest Patch Version as new columns next to the existing data.
Supply Chain / Logistics Example
Look up the average transit time from origin and the current port congestion status for each shipping lane listed in column A. Add Avg Transit Days and Congestion Status as new columns.
Marketing Example
Look up the estimated monthly web traffic and primary social media platform for each competitor brand listed in column A. Add Monthly Web Traffic and Top Social Platform as new columns.
Legal / Compliance Example
Look up the effective date and governing agency for each FDA or state beverage regulation code listed in column A. Add Effective Date and Governing Agency as new columns next to the existing data.
Quality Assurance Example
Look up the allowable limit and testing method for each water quality parameter listed in column A based on current EPA and FDA standards. Add Allowable Limit and Standard Test Method as new columns.
Procurement Example
Look up the headquarters location and annual production capacity for each PET resin and closure supplier listed in column A. Add Headquarters and Annual Capacity as new columns.
Customer Service Example
Look up the main customer service phone number and return/claims policy URL for each retail partner listed in column A. Add Customer Service Phone and Claims Policy URL as new columns.
Open Excel ↗
🔑 Power Move: Combine all three Excel Copilot capabilities in one workflow. First, use Edit with Copilot to clean and organize your raw data. Then use =COPILOT() formulas to create calculated columns you'd normally spend 20 minutes Googling the syntax for. Finally, use Edit with Copilot + web search to enrich your data with external benchmarks. Example: "Sort this data by revenue descending, add a column calculating year-over-year growth using =COPILOT(), then look up industry average growth rates from the web and flag any rows performing below the benchmark." — Three tools, one seamless analysis.
Module 5
PowerPoint
~10 min

PowerPoint Copilot can now generate entire decks from a prompt or file, apply your brand kit automatically, and use agentic capabilities for iterative slide-by-slide refinement. NEW (March 2026): "Edit with Copilot" can now automatically standardize fonts, font sizes, and bullet styles across all slides at once, eliminating tedious manual formatting. Always start by applying the Niagara template — think of it as putting on your uniform before the game.

Open PowerPoint ↗
What You'll Learn
  • Set up a brand kit for consistent, on-brand slides
  • Generate presentations from prompts or existing files
  • Iteratively refine slides with Copilot Designer
❌ Weak Prompt
Make a presentation about our project.
No structure, audience, or content guidance
✅ Strong Prompt
Create a 6-slide executive summary of our Q2 sustainability initiative. Include: project goals, key milestones achieved, budget status, risks, and next steps. Tone: professional, concise. Audience: VP-level leadership.
Slide count + structure + audience + tone = polished deck
✓ Exercise 5.1 Brand Kit First, Then GenerateBeginner ~2 min▼
Open a blank presentation in PowerPoint
Click Copilot in the menu ribbon to open the Copilot pane
Click Create a branded presentation → enter the prompt below
Copilot builds a full set of slides that automatically match your brand — review to confirm your logo, colors, and fonts carry through every slide
Try This Prompt
Create a 10-slide presentation on Niagara Bottling's sustainability initiatives. Include: executive summary, environmental goals, water conservation, packaging innovation, carbon footprint reduction, community impact, 2025 milestones, future commitments, and a call-to-action slide.
Sales Example
Create a 10-slide presentation on Niagara Bottling's 2026 retail sales strategy. Include: executive summary, market landscape, key account priorities, private-label value proposition, competitive pricing analysis, new product launches, promotional calendar, channel expansion targets, partnership success stories, and a next-steps slide.
Finance Example
Create a 10-slide presentation on Niagara Bottling's annual financial plan and capital allocation strategy. Include: executive summary, revenue and margin trends, cost-of-goods breakdown, capital expenditure roadmap, plant-level ROI analysis, working capital optimization, risk analysis, debt overview, key financial KPIs, and a recommendations slide.
HR / People Ops Example
Create a 10-slide presentation on Niagara Bottling's workforce development and retention strategy. Include: executive summary, headcount and turnover metrics, recruitment pipeline, onboarding enhancements, training initiatives, benefits benchmarking, diversity progress, engagement survey results, plant staffing challenges, and a call-to-action slide.
Manufacturing / Operations Example
Create a 10-slide presentation on Niagara Bottling's manufacturing excellence program. Include: executive summary, plant network overview, OEE performance by site, downtime reduction initiatives, lean manufacturing progress, automation roadmap, safety metrics, water usage efficiency, continuous improvement case studies, and next steps.
Engineering Example
Create a 10-slide presentation on Niagara Bottling's engineering capital projects and technology roadmap. Include: executive summary, plant infrastructure status, major project timelines, new line installations, technology upgrades, energy efficiency projects, predictive maintenance rollout, talent pipeline, budget vs. actuals, and prioritization slide.
IT / Help Desk Example
Create a 10-slide presentation on Niagara Bottling's IT modernization and cybersecurity roadmap. Include: executive summary, IT infrastructure landscape, ERP/MES upgrade plan, cybersecurity posture, help desk metrics, cloud migration progress, OT/IT convergence strategy, IT budget overview, vendor consolidation, and call-to-action slide.
Supply Chain / Logistics Example
Create a 10-slide presentation on Niagara Bottling's supply chain optimization strategy. Include: executive summary, distribution network map, freight cost trends, warehouse utilization, demand planning accuracy, carrier scorecards, inventory turns, lead time reduction, risk mitigation, and next steps.
Marketing Example
Create a 10-slide presentation on Niagara Bottling's brand positioning and marketing plan for 2026. Include: executive summary, market share trends, consumer insights, brand architecture, private-label vs. branded strategy, digital marketing plan, trade show calendar, sustainability messaging, retailer co-marketing, and budget request slide.
Legal / Compliance Example
Create a 10-slide presentation on Niagara Bottling's regulatory compliance and legal risk overview. Include: executive summary, FDA regulatory landscape, labeling compliance status, environmental permits, litigation summary, contract management, IP portfolio, audit findings, compliance training rates, and recommendations slide.
Quality Assurance Example
Create a 10-slide presentation on Niagara Bottling's quality management and food safety program. Include: executive summary, SQF certification status, consumer complaint trends, water quality results, in-line inspection performance, supplier quality scorecards, CAPA closure rates, sanitation updates, audit schedule, and continuous improvement roadmap.
Procurement Example
Create a 10-slide presentation on Niagara Bottling's strategic sourcing and procurement plan. Include: executive summary, total spend analysis, resin market outlook, supplier diversification strategy, contract renewal calendar, cost savings YTD, supplier sustainability requirements, single-source risk assessment, procurement technology, and negotiation priorities.
Customer Service Example
Create a 10-slide presentation on Niagara Bottling's customer service excellence strategy. Include: executive summary, service level metrics, top complaint categories, order accuracy performance, returns analysis, satisfaction survey results, escalation process improvements, staffing plan, technology tools, and next steps.
💡 Critical: Always apply the brand template BEFORE generating slides with Copilot. This ensures every generated slide inherits logos, colors, and fonts automatically.
Open PowerPoint ↗
Open a blank presentation in PowerPoint
Click Create a new presentation with file
Select the file you want to generate a deck from (Word, Excel, or PDF from OneDrive/SharePoint)
Copilot extracts key information and builds slides with charts and data points
Use Designer (right panel) to polish layouts — it understands your brand kit
Try This Prompt
Create an executive presentation from the attached quarterly review. Focus on financial highlights, operational wins, and strategic priorities for next quarter.
Manufacturing / Operations Example
Create a 5-slide safety briefing presentation from the attached incident report. Include: what happened, root cause analysis, corrective actions taken, lessons learned, and updated safety protocols. Use a clear, visual layout suitable for a plant floor meeting.
Engineering Example
Create a 6-slide technical design review presentation from the attached engineering specs document. Include: project scope, design approach, key specifications, risk assessment, timeline, and approval requirements. Keep it concise for a 15-minute review meeting.
Sales Example
Create an executive presentation from the attached quarterly sales review. Focus on revenue vs. target by key account, top-performing SKUs, pipeline growth, and strategic priorities for next quarter's selling season.
Finance Example
Create an executive presentation from the attached quarterly financial report. Focus on revenue and EBITDA performance, cost variance highlights, capital expenditure updates, and cash flow priorities for next quarter.
HR / People Ops Example
Create an executive presentation from the attached quarterly HR report. Focus on headcount changes, turnover and retention rates by plant, open requisition status, and workforce priorities for next quarter.
IT / Help Desk Example
Create an executive presentation from the attached quarterly IT operations report. Focus on system uptime and incident metrics, project milestone status, cybersecurity updates, and technology priorities for next quarter.
Supply Chain / Logistics Example
Create an executive presentation from the attached quarterly supply chain review. Focus on on-time delivery rates, freight cost per case, inventory turns by distribution center, and logistics priorities for next quarter.
Marketing Example
Create an executive presentation from the attached quarterly marketing report. Focus on campaign ROI, brand awareness metrics, digital engagement highlights, and marketing priorities for next quarter.
Legal / Compliance Example
Create an executive presentation from the attached quarterly legal and compliance report. Focus on open matter status, regulatory audit findings, contract execution metrics, and compliance priorities for next quarter.
Quality Assurance Example
Create an executive presentation from the attached quarterly quality report. Focus on consumer complaint trends, in-line rejection rates, audit and certification status, and food safety priorities for next quarter.
Procurement Example
Create an executive presentation from the attached quarterly procurement review. Focus on spend vs. budget by category, supplier performance scorecards, cost-savings initiatives, and sourcing priorities for next quarter.
Customer Service Example
Create an executive presentation from the attached quarterly customer service report. Focus on case volume and resolution time trends, fill-rate and order accuracy metrics, top complaint drivers, and service improvement priorities for next quarter.
Open PowerPoint ↗
With slides generated, open the Tools menu in the Copilot pane → select Edit with Copilot
Click the Copilot icon above your slide (top left, looks like two stars) and select Ask Copilot, or click Copilot in the menu ribbon (which opens Edit with Copilot mode by default)
Try the suggested prompts that Copilot provides in the prompt window, or type your own refinement requests
Edit with Copilot Prompts
Add speaker notes to every slide summarizing the key talking points. Slide 3 needs more visual impact — add a comparison chart and reduce the text by 50%. Add a new slide after slide 5 with a timeline showing our 3-year sustainability roadmap.
🔑 New Feature: You can now use "Explain this" in PowerPoint — select any acronym, table, or slide and Copilot provides an instant, contextual explanation.
Open PowerPoint ↗
🔑 Power Move: Build a presentation pipeline that starts in another app and finishes in PowerPoint. First, create your analysis in Excel using Edit with Copilot. Then use PowerPoint's "Create from file" to generate a branded deck directly from that workbook — Copilot pulls charts, data, and key insights automatically. Finally, switch to Edit with Copilot in PowerPoint to refine slide-by-slide: "Add speaker notes to every slide, reduce text on slide 4 by 50%, and insert a summary slide at the end." — You just built a boardroom-ready deck without designing a single slide.
Module 6 · Frontier
Cowork
~15 min

Cowork is the biggest addition in Wave 3 — and it changes how you think about AI at work. Instead of one prompt → one response, Cowork lets you delegate entire workflows that run for minutes or hours across Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Teams. Think of it as hiring a capable junior analyst who works overnight and has your deliverables ready by morning.

Built in collaboration with Anthropic using Claude Cowork technology. Powered by Work IQ so it understands your files, meetings, chats, and relationships. Available now via the Frontier program — launching in Microsoft 365 E7 on May 1, 2026.

🟢 NIAGARA HAS FRONTIER ACCESS

What You'll Learn
  • Understand how Cowork handles multi-step workflows
  • Practice real scenarios: meeting prep, calendar triage, reports
  • Learn when to delegate complex tasks to long-running AI
✓ Frontier How Cowork WorksBeginner ~2 min ▼

Cowork follows a simple pattern: You describe → It plans → It executes → You approve. Here's how to access it and use it:

Open Chat at m365copilot.com/chat (or the Chat app in Teams)
Click the Agents icon (right side panel) → search for "Cowork" → select Cowork to activate it as your active agent. You can also type @Cowork directly in the chat box to invoke it inline.
Describe the outcome you want in natural language — be specific about what you need delivered (multi-step tasks work best)
Cowork automatically creates a plan with clear steps, grounded in your Work IQ data (emails, meetings, files, chats)
Review the plan — Cowork shows what it's doing and why at each step, so you stay in control
Cowork checks in at decision points — you approve, adjust, or pause at any time
When complete, review all outputs — documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and emails are ready for you
🔑 How to Access: Cowork is an agent inside Chat — not a separate app. Look for it in the Agents panel (right sidebar in Chat), or mention @Cowork in any chat. If you don't see it yet, your admin may need to enable it via the Microsoft 365 admin center under Copilot agents.
💡 Key Difference: Regular Chat = you ask a question, you get an answer. Cowork = you describe a goal, Copilot builds a plan, executes it across multiple apps, and delivers real outputs. It's the difference between asking a colleague a question and delegating a project.
Open M365 Copilot ↗

This scenario shows how Cowork can prepare you for a customer meeting by coordinating across multiple M365 apps in one workflow.

Cowork Prompt
I have a customer meeting with [Customer Name] on Thursday. Please: 1. Build a competitive comparison in Excel using our latest product specs and publicly available competitor data 2. Distill our key differentiators into a value proposition document in Word 3. Generate a 6-slide customer pitch deck in PowerPoint using our brand template 4. Outline milestones, owners, and next steps for the account 5. Email me a summary of everything when it's ready
🔑 What Happens Next: Cowork breaks this into steps, searches your files and emails for relevant context via Work IQ, creates each deliverable in the appropriate app, and checks in with you at key decision points. You get a coherent story plus the files to back it up — without stitching together versions across tools.
Open M365 Copilot ↗

Hand your Monday morning calendar triage over to Cowork. It reviews your schedule, identifies conflicts, and proposes changes — then applies them only after you approve.

Cowork Prompt
Review my Outlook calendar for next week. I need to prioritize the Q2 production planning deadline on Wednesday. Flag conflicts and low-value meetings, propose changes, add focus blocks for deep work, and reschedule anything flexible. Don't change any meetings with leadership or external customers without asking me first.
💡 How It Works: Cowork reviews your Outlook schedule, asks what you're trying to prioritize, and flags conflicts and low-value meetings. Once you approve the plan, it applies changes — accepting, declining, or rescheduling meetings and adding focus blocks. Your entire week, triaged in 5 minutes.
Open M365 Copilot ↗

Delegate an entire monthly reporting workflow. Cowork coordinates data from Excel, narrative from Word, and visuals from PowerPoint into a complete package.

Cowork Prompt
Build my monthly operations report package for March 2026: 1. Pull production output data from the March Production Tracker spreadsheet in SharePoint 2. Compare actual vs. forecast and calculate variance by product line in Excel 3. Write a 1-page executive narrative in Word highlighting wins, misses, and root causes 4. Create a 5-slide summary deck in PowerPoint with charts from the Excel data 5. Draft an email to my VP with the package attached and a brief summary Use a professional, data-driven tone throughout. Flag anything that looks like an outlier before finalizing.
What Cowork Does What You Used To Do
Finds the right files via Work IQ Manually search SharePoint / OneDrive
Builds the Excel analysis with real formulas 30-60 min of pivot tables and charts
Writes the narrative grounded in actual data 1-2 hours drafting from scratch
Generates a branded deck with charts 45 min copying charts into slides
Drafts the email with attachments 10 min composing and attaching
Total: ~15 min (mostly reviewing) Total: 3-4 hours
Open M365 Copilot ↗
🔒 Enterprise Trust: Cowork runs within Microsoft 365's security and governance boundaries. Identity, permissions, and compliance policies apply by default. Actions are transparent, outputs are auditable, and everything respects sensitivity labels and DLP policies. Cowork can be reviewed, guided, or stopped at any point. Your IT team (and Niagara's Frontier admins) maintain full control.
Module 6 · Frontier
Workflows
~15 min

The Workflows agent lives inside the M365 Copilot app (not Power Automate) — instead of building flows with triggers and connectors, you just describe what you want in plain English and Copilot builds it. Think of it as the difference between writing code and telling someone what the code should do.

Open M365 Copilot ↗
What You'll Learn
  • Add and configure the Workflows agent from the Agent Store
  • Build automated workflows using natural language
  • Create recurring briefings and deadline reminders
✓ Frontier Add Workflows Agent from Agent StoreAdvanced ~5 min ▼
Sign in to m365copilot.com
In the left nav, click Agents
Find and add Workflows Agent (Frontier) from the Agent Store
It will appear in the left nav under Agents
⚠ Prerequisite: You must be in the Frontier program and your admin must have enabled the required DLP policy connectors (SharePoint, Approvals, Teams, Planner, M365Copilot, Outlook) in the Power Platform admin center.
Open M365 Copilot ↗
Open the Workflows Agent from the nav pane
Enter the prompt below — Copilot generates a full workflow
Review the visual flow: trigger → data source → action
Click Test to run it immediately, then Save to schedule it
Try This Prompt
Each weekday morning, review all unread emails from my inbox from the last 24 hours and identify anything important I may have missed. Focus on messages that are high priority, time-sensitive, or require action. Organize the results into three sections: Needs Response, For Your Information, and Other Important. For each message, include the sender, subject, a brief summary, and next steps. Send the results to me as a Teams message.
Sales Example
Each weekday morning, review all unread emails from my inbox from the last 24 hours and identify anything important I may have missed. Focus on messages from key retail accounts, distributor contacts, pricing requests, and urgent RFP deadlines. Organize the results into three sections: Needs Response (quote requests, customer escalations, contract questions), For Your Information (market updates, competitor activity, new lead notifications), and Other Important. For each message, include the sender, subject, a brief summary, and suggested next steps. Send the results to me as a Teams message.
Finance Example
Each weekday morning, review all unread emails from my inbox from the last 24 hours and identify anything important I may have missed. Focus on messages related to budget approvals, invoice discrepancies, month-end close deadlines, audit requests, and cost variance alerts. Organize the results into three sections: Needs Response (approval requests, vendor payment issues, budget questions), For Your Information (financial reports, policy updates, forecast revisions), and Other Important. For each message, include the sender, subject, a brief summary, and suggested next steps. Send the results to me as a Teams message.
HR / People Ops Example
Each weekday morning, review all unread emails from my inbox from the last 24 hours and identify anything important I may have missed. Focus on messages related to open job requisitions, candidate responses, employee relations issues, benefits questions, and compliance deadlines. Organize the results into three sections: Needs Response (interview scheduling, employee complaints, offer letter approvals), For Your Information (headcount updates, policy changes, training completions), and Other Important. For each message, include the sender, subject, a brief summary, and suggested next steps. Send the results to me as a Teams message.
Manufacturing / Operations Example
Each weekday morning, review all unread emails from my inbox from the last 24 hours and identify anything important I may have missed. Focus on messages related to production line downtime, maintenance requests, shift scheduling changes, safety incidents, and output targets. Organize the results into three sections: Needs Response (equipment failure alerts, staffing gaps, production schedule changes), For Your Information (daily output reports, preventive maintenance updates, OEE summaries), and Other Important. For each message, include the sender, subject, a brief summary, and suggested next steps. Send the results to me as a Teams message.
Engineering Example
Each weekday morning, review all unread emails from my inbox from the last 24 hours and identify anything important I may have missed. Focus on messages related to capital project milestones, equipment specification reviews, CAD drawing approvals, vendor technical submittals, and plant expansion updates. Organize the results into three sections: Needs Response (design review requests, engineering change orders, project timeline questions), For Your Information (commissioning updates, technical bulletins, project status reports), and Other Important. For each message, include the sender, subject, a brief summary, and suggested next steps. Send the results to me as a Teams message.
IT / Help Desk Example
Each weekday morning, review all unread emails from my inbox from the last 24 hours and identify anything important I may have missed. Focus on messages related to system outages, security alerts, help desk escalations, software deployment schedules, and network performance issues. Organize the results into three sections: Needs Response (P1/P2 tickets, access requests, system change approvals), For Your Information (patch release notes, infrastructure status updates, project go-live timelines), and Other Important. For each message, include the sender, subject, a brief summary, and suggested next steps. Send the results to me as a Teams message.
Supply Chain / Logistics Example
Each weekday morning, review all unread emails from my inbox from the last 24 hours and identify anything important I may have missed. Focus on messages related to shipment delays, carrier issues, warehouse capacity alerts, inventory shortages, and delivery schedule changes. Organize the results into three sections: Needs Response (late shipment escalations, routing changes, dock scheduling conflicts), For Your Information (carrier performance reports, freight rate updates, demand forecast changes), and Other Important. For each message, include the sender, subject, a brief summary, and suggested next steps. Send the results to me as a Teams message.
Marketing Example
Each weekday morning, review all unread emails from my inbox from the last 24 hours and identify anything important I may have missed. Focus on messages related to campaign launch deadlines, creative asset approvals, brand partnership inquiries, social media escalations, and trade show logistics. Organize the results into three sections: Needs Response (asset approval requests, agency deliverable reviews, event coordination), For Your Information (campaign performance reports, brand mention alerts, competitor marketing activity), and Other Important. For each message, include the sender, subject, a brief summary, and suggested next steps. Send the results to me as a Teams message.
Legal / Compliance Example
Each weekday morning, review all unread emails from my inbox from the last 24 hours and identify anything important I may have missed. Focus on messages related to contract review deadlines, regulatory filing dates, compliance audit findings, litigation updates, and NDA requests. Organize the results into three sections: Needs Response (contract redlines awaiting review, regulatory response deadlines, legal hold notices), For Your Information (policy update notifications, regulatory news, insurance renewal reminders), and Other Important. For each message, include the sender, subject, a brief summary, and suggested next steps. Send the results to me as a Teams message.
Quality Assurance Example
Each weekday morning, review all unread emails from my inbox from the last 24 hours and identify anything important I may have missed. Focus on messages related to product hold notifications, lab test results, customer complaint escalations, FDA or SQF audit schedules, and CAPA due dates. Organize the results into three sections: Needs Response (product release decisions, non-conformance reports, supplier corrective actions), For Your Information (daily micro results, audit readiness updates, specification change notices), and Other Important. For each message, include the sender, subject, a brief summary, and suggested next steps. Send the results to me as a Teams message.
Procurement Example
Each weekday morning, review all unread emails from my inbox from the last 24 hours and identify anything important I may have missed. Focus on messages related to purchase order confirmations, supplier price change notices, material shortage alerts, contract renewal deadlines, and bid responses. Organize the results into three sections: Needs Response (PO approval requests, supplier escalations, RFQ responses needing evaluation), For Your Information (commodity price updates, new supplier introductions, spend reports), and Other Important. For each message, include the sender, subject, a brief summary, and suggested next steps. Send the results to me as a Teams message.
Customer Service Example
Each weekday morning, review all unread emails from my inbox from the last 24 hours and identify anything important I may have missed. Focus on messages related to customer complaint escalations, delivery issue reports, order correction requests, credit/return approvals, and service level breaches. Organize the results into three sections: Needs Response (escalated complaints, order discrepancy claims, urgent delivery reschedules), For Your Information (CSAT score reports, case volume summaries, new account setup confirmations), and Other Important. For each message, include the sender, subject, a brief summary, and suggested next steps. Send the results to me as a Teams message.
💡 Analogy: Workflows gives you Power Automate capabilities through a conversational interface — instead of connecting boxes and triggers, you tell Copilot what to do in English and it figures out the plumbing. Access it from the Agents section in the M365 Copilot app.
Open M365 Copilot ↗
Try This Prompt
Every Monday at 8 AM, check my Planner for tasks due this week. Send a Teams message to me listing each task name, due date, and assigned person. Group them by priority: High, Medium, Low.
Sales Example
Every Monday at 8 AM, check my Planner for tasks due this week. Focus on proposal deadlines, customer follow-ups, pricing submissions, and contract renewals. Send a Teams message to me listing each task name, due date, and assigned person. Group them by priority: High (expiring contracts, RFP deadlines), Medium (follow-up calls, account reviews), Low (CRM updates, report submissions).
Finance Example
Every Monday at 8 AM, check my Planner for tasks due this week. Focus on month-end close activities, journal entry deadlines, budget review submissions, and audit deliverables. Send a Teams message to me listing each task name, due date, and assigned person. Group them by priority: High (regulatory filings, close deadlines), Medium (variance analyses, forecast updates), Low (report formatting, filing).
HR / People Ops Example
Every Monday at 8 AM, check my Planner for tasks due this week. Focus on new hire onboarding steps, benefits enrollment deadlines, performance review submissions, and policy update rollouts. Send a Teams message to me listing each task name, due date, and assigned person. Group them by priority: High (compliance training deadlines, offer letter expirations), Medium (interview scheduling, onboarding tasks), Low (handbook updates, filing).
Manufacturing / Operations Example
Every Monday at 8 AM, check my Planner for tasks due this week. Focus on preventive maintenance schedules, production changeover prep, safety inspection deadlines, and shift coverage confirmations. Send a Teams message to me listing each task name, due date, and assigned person. Group them by priority: High (safety inspections, line startup tasks), Medium (PM work orders, calibration checks), Low (SOP reviews, 5S audits).
Engineering Example
Every Monday at 8 AM, check my Planner for tasks due this week. Focus on design review milestones, drawing approval deadlines, equipment commissioning steps, and capital project deliverables. Send a Teams message to me listing each task name, due date, and assigned person. Group them by priority: High (project go-live milestones, permit submissions), Medium (vendor drawing reviews, specification updates), Low (documentation archiving, as-built updates).
IT / Help Desk Example
Every Monday at 8 AM, check my Planner for tasks due this week. Focus on system patching windows, software deployment milestones, security review deadlines, and open ticket SLA targets. Send a Teams message to me listing each task name, due date, and assigned person. Group them by priority: High (security patches, system migrations), Medium (user access reviews, hardware refreshes), Low (documentation updates, knowledge base articles).
Supply Chain / Logistics Example
Every Monday at 8 AM, check my Planner for tasks due this week. Focus on carrier contract renewals, inventory reorder deadlines, warehouse receiving schedules, and demand planning submissions. Send a Teams message to me listing each task name, due date, and assigned person. Group them by priority: High (stockout risk items, carrier rebid deadlines), Medium (routing guide updates, safety stock reviews), Low (freight invoice reconciliation, report updates).
Marketing Example
Every Monday at 8 AM, check my Planner for tasks due this week. Focus on campaign launch dates, creative asset review deadlines, social media content calendars, and trade show preparation milestones. Send a Teams message to me listing each task name, due date, and assigned person. Group them by priority: High (launch deadlines, print submission dates), Medium (content approvals, agency check-ins), Low (analytics reports, asset library cleanup).
Legal / Compliance Example
Every Monday at 8 AM, check my Planner for tasks due this week. Focus on contract execution deadlines, regulatory filing dates, compliance training due dates, and litigation response deadlines. Send a Teams message to me listing each task name, due date, and assigned person. Group them by priority: High (court filing deadlines, regulatory submissions), Medium (contract reviews, policy updates), Low (template revisions, records retention tasks).
Quality Assurance Example
Every Monday at 8 AM, check my Planner for tasks due this week. Focus on CAPA due dates, audit preparation tasks, calibration schedules, and product release approvals. Send a Teams message to me listing each task name, due date, and assigned person. Group them by priority: High (FDA response deadlines, product hold reviews), Medium (internal audit follow-ups, SOP revisions), Low (training record updates, document control filing).
Procurement Example
Every Monday at 8 AM, check my Planner for tasks due this week. Focus on RFQ response deadlines, contract renewal dates, supplier evaluation reviews, and purchase order approvals. Send a Teams message to me listing each task name, due date, and assigned person. Group them by priority: High (contract expirations, critical material orders), Medium (supplier scorecards, bid evaluations), Low (catalog updates, spend report reviews).
Customer Service Example
Every Monday at 8 AM, check my Planner for tasks due this week. Focus on escalated case follow-ups, SLA breach reviews, customer callback commitments, and team training sessions. Send a Teams message to me listing each task name, due date, and assigned person. Group them by priority: High (escalated complaints, SLA-critical cases), Medium (customer callbacks, process improvement tasks), Low (knowledge base updates, report submissions).
Bonus: Approval Workflow
When a file is added to the "Pending Reviews" folder in our SharePoint site, send an approval request to my manager via Teams with the file name and a link. If approved, move the file to "Approved" folder and notify me.
🔑 Power: Workflows connects to Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, Planner, Approvals, and more. It uses the same Power Automate infrastructure but with a conversational interface. Typical workflows execute in 30–45 seconds.
Open M365 Copilot ↗
🔑 Power Move: Stack multiple Workflows together to create an end-to-end automated process without writing a single line of code. For example, create Workflow 1: "Every morning, check Planner for overdue tasks and send me a Teams summary." Then create Workflow 2: "When a task in Planner is marked complete, send a congratulations message to the assignee and update the status tracker in SharePoint." Then create Workflow 3: "Every Friday at 4 PM, compile all completed tasks this week and email a summary to my manager." — Three workflows, zero code, and your entire task management lifecycle runs on autopilot.
Module 7 · Frontier
App Builder
~15 min

App Builder turns you into a developer without writing a single line of code. Imagine describing a tracking app to a colleague and having it built in 3 minutes — that's App Builder. It uses Microsoft Lists as the backend, so your data stays in your M365 environment, secure and governed.

Open M365 Copilot ↗
What You'll Learn
  • Build functional apps from a text description — no code required
  • Refine apps through conversational iteration
  • Connect apps to enterprise data sources
✓ Frontier Build a Task Tracker AppAdvanced ~5 min ▼
Open m365copilot.com → navigate to Agents → select App Builder
Enter the prompt below — watch as Copilot breaks it into 10–15 tasks and builds the app
This takes 3–5 minutes — you'll see it building in real-time on the right panel
Click Play to test, then Share to distribute with a link
Try This Prompt
Create a task tracker app for our team with fields for: task name, assigned person, deadline, status (Not Started, In Progress, Complete), and priority (High, Medium, Low). Include a dashboard showing completion percentage and a chart of tasks by priority.
Sales Example
Create a sales pipeline tracker app for our team with fields for: account name, contact person, deal value, stage (Prospecting, Proposal Sent, Negotiation, Closed Won, Closed Lost), expected close date, and assigned sales rep. Include a dashboard showing total pipeline value, a chart of deals by stage, and a win rate percentage.
Finance Example
Create a budget request tracker app for our finance team with fields for: department, request description, requested amount, budget category, status (Submitted, Under Review, Approved, Denied), approver, and fiscal quarter. Include a dashboard showing total approved vs. denied amounts, a chart of requests by department, and approval turnaround time.
HR / People Ops Example
Create a new hire onboarding tracker app with fields for: employee name, department, start date, hiring manager, onboarding task name, status (Not Started, In Progress, Complete), and assigned HR contact. Include a dashboard showing onboarding completion percentage per new hire, a chart of tasks by status, and average days to full onboarding completion.
Manufacturing / Operations Example
Create a production line downtime tracker app with fields for: line number, downtime reason (Mechanical, Electrical, Changeover, Material Shortage, Scheduled Maintenance), start time, end time, shift (Day, Swing, Night), responsible technician, and corrective action taken. Include a dashboard showing total downtime hours this week, a chart of downtime by reason, and a line-by-line comparison.
Engineering Example
Create a capital project tracker app with fields for: project name, plant location, project phase (Design, Procurement, Construction, Commissioning, Complete), budget, actual spend, project manager, and target completion date. Include a dashboard showing budget vs. actual spend per project, a chart of projects by phase, and overall portfolio completion percentage.
IT / Help Desk Example
Create an IT help desk ticket tracker app with fields for: ticket number, requester name, issue category (Hardware, Software, Network, Access Request, Other), priority (Critical, High, Medium, Low), assigned technician, status (Open, In Progress, Waiting on User, Resolved), and date submitted. Include a dashboard showing open ticket count, average resolution time, and a chart of tickets by category.
Supply Chain / Logistics Example
Create a shipment tracker app for our logistics team with fields for: order number, origin plant, destination, carrier, scheduled ship date, actual ship date, delivery status (Scheduled, In Transit, Delivered, Delayed), and load type (Full Truckload, LTL, Intermodal). Include a dashboard showing on-time delivery percentage, a chart of shipments by carrier, and delayed shipment count.
Marketing Example
Create a marketing campaign tracker app with fields for: campaign name, channel (Social Media, Email, Print, Event, In-Store), launch date, end date, budget, status (Planning, Active, Paused, Complete), and campaign owner. Include a dashboard showing active campaign count, total budget allocation by channel, and a timeline view of upcoming launches.
Legal / Compliance Example
Create a contract management tracker app with fields for: contract name, counterparty, contract type (NDA, Supplier Agreement, Lease, Service Agreement), effective date, expiration date, renewal type (Auto-Renew, Manual), assigned attorney, and status (Draft, In Review, Executed, Expired). Include a dashboard showing contracts expiring in the next 90 days, a chart by contract type, and total active contract count.
Quality Assurance Example
Create a CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action) tracker app with fields for: CAPA number, issue description, source (Audit, Customer Complaint, Internal Finding, Supplier Issue), root cause, assigned owner, due date, status (Open, Investigation, Corrective Action, Verification, Closed), and priority (Critical, Major, Minor). Include a dashboard showing open CAPA count, overdue items, and a chart of CAPAs by source.
Procurement Example
Create a purchase requisition tracker app with fields for: requisition number, requested by, department, item description, estimated cost, supplier, status (Submitted, Approved, PO Issued, Received, Rejected), and urgency (Standard, Rush, Emergency). Include a dashboard showing total spend by department, approval turnaround time, and a chart of requisitions by status.
Customer Service Example
Create a customer complaint tracker app with fields for: case number, customer name, complaint type (Delivery Issue, Product Quality, Billing Error, Order Discrepancy), received date, assigned agent, status (New, Investigating, Awaiting Customer, Resolved), and resolution type (Replacement, Credit, Refund, No Action). Include a dashboard showing open case count, average resolution time, and a chart of complaints by type.
💡 Behind the Scenes: App Builder creates two things: a Microsoft List (your database) and an app interface (forms, views, dashboards). Data stays in your M365 tenant.
Open M365 Copilot ↗
With your app built, continue the conversation to refine it
Each update applies instantly in the preview pane
Refinement Prompts
Show participant info as cards instead of a list view. Add a filter to show only tasks due this week. Add a new column for "Department" with options: Operations, Finance, IT, Marketing. Change the dashboard chart to show tasks by assigned person instead of priority.
Open M365 Copilot ↗
Advanced Prompt
Create an equipment checkout system for our production floor. Fields: equipment name, borrower (person picker), checkout date, expected return date, actual return date, and condition notes. Include a dashboard showing which items are currently checked out and any overdue returns.
Feature App Builder Power Apps
Build Speed 3–5 minutes Hours to days
Coding Required None Low-code formulas
Data Backend Microsoft Lists Dataverse / Lists
Complexity Simple-medium apps Enterprise-grade
Sharing Share link Publish to environment
Best For Quick prototypes, team tools Complex business apps
Open M365 Copilot ↗
🔑 Power Move: Combine App Builder and Workflows to create a self-running system. First, build an app in App Builder — say, an equipment checkout tracker. Then create a Workflow: "When a checkout in my equipment app is overdue by more than 24 hours, send a Teams reminder to the borrower and notify the manager." You've just built a complete business process — front-end app + automated back-end logic — in under 10 minutes, with zero code. That's the kind of problem that used to take weeks with IT.
Module 8
Create
~10 min

Copilot Create is your built-in design studio — think of it as having a graphic designer, video editor, and infographic artist all sitting inside your M365 app. Instead of switching to Canva or Photoshop, you describe what you need and Copilot builds it. All visuals are created inside your secure M365 environment and can apply your organization's brand kit automatically.

Open Copilot Create ↗
What You'll Learn
  • Generate AI images, posters, and banners
  • Create infographics and short videos
  • Edit and refine existing images with AI
✓ Exercise 8.1 Generate an AI ImageBeginner ~2 min ▼
In the Copilot app, click Create in the left navigation
You'll see options for images, posters, infographics, videos, banners, and more
Start with a simple image — enter the prompt below
Copilot generates multiple variations. Select one, then use Edit to refine with the AI visual editor
Try This Prompt
Create a professional image of a modern water bottling facility with clean, bright lighting. Use a corporate minimalist style with a blue color palette. No text overlay. Horizontal layout suitable for a presentation slide.
Sales Example
Create a professional image of a business meeting between a sales representative and a retail buyer in a modern conference room, with bottled water products displayed on the table. Use a corporate minimalist style with a blue color palette and clean, bright lighting. No text overlay. Horizontal layout suitable for a presentation slide.
Finance Example
Create a professional image of a modern finance office with large monitors displaying financial dashboards, charts, and budget reports. Include a clean desk with a laptop and coffee cup. Use a corporate minimalist style with a blue and gray color palette and bright, even lighting. No text overlay. Horizontal layout suitable for a presentation slide.
HR / People Ops Example
Create a professional image of a welcoming new employee orientation session in a bright, modern training room at a manufacturing company. Show a diverse group of new hires seated at a table with welcome packets. Use a corporate minimalist style with a warm blue and white color palette. No text overlay. Horizontal layout suitable for a presentation slide.
Manufacturing / Operations Example
Create a professional image of a high-speed water bottling production line with bottles moving along a conveyor belt in a clean, well-lit facility. Show automated filling and capping equipment. Use a corporate minimalist style with a blue color palette and bright, industrial lighting. No text overlay. Horizontal layout suitable for a presentation slide.
Engineering Example
Create a professional image of an engineer reviewing blueprints and 3D plant layout models on a large monitor, with a bottling facility visible through an office window in the background. Use a corporate minimalist style with a blue and silver color palette and clean lighting. No text overlay. Horizontal layout suitable for a presentation slide.
IT / Help Desk Example
Create a professional image of a modern IT operations center with multiple screens showing network monitoring dashboards, server status indicators, and help desk queues. Use a corporate minimalist style with a blue and dark gray color palette and cool ambient lighting. No text overlay. Horizontal layout suitable for a presentation slide.
Supply Chain / Logistics Example
Create a professional image of a large distribution warehouse with pallets of bottled water being loaded onto trucks at loading docks. Show forklifts in operation and organized inventory racks. Use a corporate minimalist style with a blue color palette and bright warehouse lighting. No text overlay. Horizontal layout suitable for a presentation slide.
Marketing Example
Create a professional image of a sleek bottled water product lineup arranged on a clean white surface with natural lighting and subtle water droplets on the bottles. Use a polished, commercial photography style with a blue and white color palette. No text overlay. Horizontal layout suitable for a presentation slide.
Legal / Compliance Example
Create a professional image of a corporate legal office with neatly stacked contracts, a gavel, and compliance binders on a polished desk, with a window overlooking a manufacturing campus. Use a corporate minimalist style with a navy blue and cream color palette and warm lighting. No text overlay. Horizontal layout suitable for a presentation slide.
Quality Assurance Example
Create a professional image of a quality assurance lab at a water bottling facility, showing a technician in a lab coat testing water samples with modern analytical equipment and test tubes. Use a corporate minimalist style with a blue and white color palette and bright, clean lighting. No text overlay. Horizontal layout suitable for a presentation slide.
Procurement Example
Create a professional image of a procurement office with a desk showing supplier evaluation spreadsheets on a monitor, raw material samples (bottle preforms, caps, labels) arranged neatly, and a handshake happening in the background. Use a corporate minimalist style with a blue color palette and clean lighting. No text overlay. Horizontal layout suitable for a presentation slide.
Customer Service Example
Create a professional image of a modern customer service center with agents wearing headsets at workstations, large screens displaying customer satisfaction metrics, and branded bottled water on each desk. Use a corporate minimalist style with a blue and teal color palette and bright, friendly lighting. No text overlay. Horizontal layout suitable for a presentation slide.
💡 Prompting for Images: Be specific about style ("flat vector," "corporate minimalist," "infographic style"), composition ("horizontal layout," "centered subject"), and constraints ("no text," "no people," "monochrome"). Vague prompts like "make it professional" yield generic results.
Open Copilot Create ↗
In Create, select Design a poster (or Create a banner)
Describe what you need — include the purpose, audience, and key message
If your org has brand kits configured, select Brand and color to apply Niagara branding automatically
Use the options in the right panel menu to transform or edit your design before finalizing
Click Download (top right) to save your finished design
Try This Prompt
Design a poster for our company's "Safety Awareness Month" campaign. Include the message "Safety Starts With You" prominently. Use bold, clean typography on a blue background with high-contrast white text. Include space for our company logo in the top-right corner. Size: standard letter (8.5x11).
Sales Example
Design a poster for our Q3 sales kickoff event. Include the message 'Crush Your Quota' prominently. Use bold, clean typography on a blue background with high-contrast white text. Add a subtle graphic of an upward-trending chart. Include space for our company logo in the top-right corner. Size: standard letter (8.5x11).
Finance Example
Design a poster for our annual budget planning kickoff. Include the message 'Plan Today, Perform Tomorrow' prominently. Use bold, clean typography on a navy blue background with high-contrast white and gold text. Include an icon of a bar chart. Include space for our company logo in the top-right corner. Size: standard letter (8.5x11).
HR / People Ops Example
Design a poster for our employee wellness program launch. Include the message 'Your Health Matters' prominently. Use bold, clean typography on a calming blue-green background with high-contrast white text. Include a simple icon of a person stretching. Include space for our company logo in the top-right corner. Size: standard letter (8.5x11).
Manufacturing / Operations Example
Design a poster for our plant's 'Zero Incident' safety campaign. Include the message 'Every Shift, Every Line, Zero Incidents' prominently. Use bold, clean typography on a blue background with high-contrast yellow and white text. Include a safety helmet icon. Include space for our company logo in the top-right corner. Size: standard letter (8.5x11).
Engineering Example
Design a poster for our new plant expansion project kickoff. Include the message 'Building the Future of Bottling' prominently. Use bold, clean typography on a dark blue background with high-contrast white text. Include a simple blueprint-style line drawing of a facility. Include space for our company logo in the top-right corner. Size: standard letter (8.5x11).
IT / Help Desk Example
Design a poster for our company's Cybersecurity Awareness Week. Include the message 'Think Before You Click' prominently. Use bold, clean typography on a dark blue background with high-contrast white and cyan text. Include a shield or lock icon. Include space for our company logo in the top-right corner. Size: standard letter (8.5x11).
Supply Chain / Logistics Example
Design a poster for our warehouse safety and efficiency month. Include the message 'Move Smart, Ship Safe' prominently. Use bold, clean typography on a blue background with high-contrast white and orange text. Include a forklift icon. Include space for our company logo in the top-right corner. Size: standard letter (8.5x11).
Marketing Example
Design a poster for our brand refresh campaign internal reveal. Include the message 'New Look, Same Commitment to Quality' prominently. Use bold, modern typography on a gradient blue-to-white background with high-contrast text. Include a stylized water droplet graphic. Include space for our company logo in the top-right corner. Size: standard letter (8.5x11).
Legal / Compliance Example
Design a poster for our annual compliance training reminder. Include the message 'Compliance Is Everyone's Responsibility' prominently. Use bold, clean typography on a navy blue background with high-contrast white text. Include a checklist or checkmark icon. Include space for our company logo in the top-right corner. Size: standard letter (8.5x11).
Quality Assurance Example
Design a poster for our SQF audit readiness campaign. Include the message 'Quality Is Built In, Not Inspected In' prominently. Use bold, clean typography on a blue background with high-contrast white text. Include a magnifying glass icon over a water bottle. Include space for our company logo in the top-right corner. Size: standard letter (8.5x11).
Procurement Example
Design a poster for our supplier partnership appreciation event. Include the message 'Stronger Together With Our Suppliers' prominently. Use bold, clean typography on a blue background with high-contrast white text. Include a handshake icon. Include space for our company logo in the top-right corner. Size: standard letter (8.5x11).
Customer Service Example
Design a poster for our Customer Service Excellence Awards. Include the message 'Going Above and Beyond, Every Call' prominently. Use bold, clean typography on a blue background with high-contrast white and gold text. Include a star or trophy icon. Include space for our company logo in the top-right corner. Size: standard letter (8.5x11).
Open Copilot Create ↗
In Create, select Design an infographic
Choose an Infographic type — options include timeline, comparison, process, statistics, and more
Select Size to set your layout dimensions
Enter the prompt below — Copilot generates a fully designed infographic you can edit or download
Try This Prompt
Design a timeline infographic showing our company's sustainability journey from 2020 to 2026. Key milestones: 2020 - launched recycling program, 2021 - reduced water usage by 15%, 2022 - switched to 100% recycled PET bottles, 2023 - carbon-neutral manufacturing, 2024 - zero waste to landfill, 2025 - AI-powered logistics, 2026 - net-zero emissions target. Use a clean, corporate style with blue as the primary color.
Sales Example
Design a timeline infographic showing our sales team's growth milestones from 2020 to 2026. Include key achievements such as: 2020 — First $500M year, 2021 — Expanded to 15 regional territories, 2022 — Launched private label partnerships, 2023 — Hit 1,000 active accounts, 2024 — Introduced e-commerce channel, 2025 — Record revenue year, 2026 — Entered new market segments. Use a clean horizontal layout with blue and white colors and simple icons at each milestone.
Finance Example
Design an infographic showing our company's financial performance journey from 2020 to 2026. Include key milestones such as: 2020 — Implemented new ERP system, 2021 — Achieved first cost reduction target, 2022 — Automated AP/AR processes, 2023 — Reduced DSO by 15 days, 2024 — Launched rolling forecasts, 2025 — Zero material audit findings, 2026 — Full finance automation rollout. Use a clean vertical layout with navy and gold colors and chart/graph icons at each milestone.
HR / People Ops Example
Design a timeline infographic showing our company's people and culture milestones from 2020 to 2026. Include key achievements such as: 2020 — Launched remote work policy, 2021 — Introduced DEI council, 2022 — Redesigned onboarding program, 2023 — Hit 90% employee engagement score, 2024 — Launched tuition reimbursement, 2025 — Best Places to Work recognition, 2026 — Rolled out AI-assisted HR self-service. Use a clean layout with blue and teal colors and people-themed icons.
Manufacturing / Operations Example
Design a timeline infographic showing our manufacturing efficiency journey from 2020 to 2026. Include key milestones such as: 2020 — Launched lean manufacturing program, 2021 — Reduced changeover time by 30%, 2022 — Achieved 85% OEE, 2023 — Opened 3 new production lines, 2024 — Implemented predictive maintenance, 2025 — Zero lost-time injuries, 2026 — Reached 92% OEE company-wide. Use a clean horizontal layout with blue and green colors and factory-themed icons.
Engineering Example
Design a timeline infographic showing our engineering and capital projects journey from 2020 to 2026. Include key milestones such as: 2020 — Completed first greenfield plant, 2021 — Standardized plant designs, 2022 — Adopted 3D modeling for all projects, 2023 — Commissioned high-speed line at 1,200 BPM, 2024 — Implemented digital twin technology, 2025 — Completed largest plant expansion, 2026 — Launched smart factory initiative. Use a blueprint-style layout with blue and silver colors and engineering icons.
IT / Help Desk Example
Design a timeline infographic showing our IT modernization journey from 2020 to 2026. Include key milestones such as: 2020 — Migrated to cloud infrastructure, 2021 — Deployed company-wide Microsoft 365, 2022 — Launched zero-trust security framework, 2023 — Implemented AI-powered help desk, 2024 — Completed network refresh across all plants, 2025 — Achieved 99.9% uptime SLA, 2026 — Rolled out Copilot to all employees. Use a clean layout with blue and dark gray colors and technology icons.
Supply Chain / Logistics Example
Design a timeline infographic showing our supply chain optimization journey from 2020 to 2026. Include key milestones such as: 2020 — Centralized distribution planning, 2021 — Launched TMS platform, 2022 — Achieved 96% on-time delivery, 2023 — Opened 2 new regional DCs, 2024 — Implemented demand sensing AI, 2025 — Reduced freight cost per case by 12%, 2026 — Full supply chain visibility dashboard. Use a clean horizontal layout with blue and orange colors and logistics icons.
Marketing Example
Design a timeline infographic showing our brand evolution from 2020 to 2026. Include key milestones such as: 2020 — Refreshed brand identity, 2021 — Launched social media strategy, 2022 — First national TV campaign, 2023 — Reached 1M social followers, 2024 — Introduced eco-friendly packaging design, 2025 — Won industry marketing award, 2026 — Launched AI-powered personalized campaigns. Use a modern layout with blue and white colors and creative/media icons.
Legal / Compliance Example
Design a timeline infographic showing our compliance and governance milestones from 2020 to 2026. Include key achievements such as: 2020 — Established compliance committee, 2021 — Passed first SQF Level 3 audit, 2022 — Implemented contract lifecycle management, 2023 — Zero regulatory violations, 2024 — Launched ethics hotline, 2025 — Automated regulatory tracking, 2026 — AI-assisted contract review rollout. Use a professional layout with navy and white colors and legal/shield icons.
Quality Assurance Example
Design a timeline infographic showing our quality excellence journey from 2020 to 2026. Include key milestones such as: 2020 — Achieved SQF certification, 2021 — Implemented statistical process control, 2022 — Reduced customer complaints by 40%, 2023 — Launched supplier quality program, 2024 — Zero product recalls, 2025 — Earned FSSC 22000 certification, 2026 — Deployed AI-powered quality monitoring. Use a clean layout with blue and green colors and quality/lab icons.
Procurement Example
Design a timeline infographic showing our procurement transformation from 2020 to 2026. Include key milestones such as: 2020 — Centralized purchasing, 2021 — Launched e-sourcing platform, 2022 — Reduced supplier base by 20%, 2023 — Achieved $10M in cost savings, 2024 — Implemented supplier scorecard system, 2025 — Launched sustainable sourcing program, 2026 — AI-powered spend analytics rollout. Use a clean layout with blue and teal colors and procurement/handshake icons.
Customer Service Example
Design a timeline infographic showing our customer service improvement journey from 2020 to 2026. Include key milestones such as: 2020 — Launched CRM system, 2021 — Introduced live chat support, 2022 — Achieved 95% CSAT score, 2023 — Reduced average response time to under 4 hours, 2024 — Launched self-service portal, 2025 — Won industry service excellence award, 2026 — Deployed AI-assisted case resolution. Use a clean layout with blue and teal colors and customer/support icons.
💡 Pro Tip: Browse the built-in templates for inspiration. Selecting a template pre-fills the description — then you just customize the details to match your needs. Find your creations later in the Copilot Library.
Open Copilot Create ↗
In Create, select Create a video
Describe your video — Copilot uses Clipchamp under the hood to generate it
Optionally attach a file (Word doc or PowerPoint) to base the video on
Select Brand kit to apply your organization's colors and fonts
After generation (~1 minute), use Edit with AI to adjust narration voice, background music, pacing, and visuals
Try This Prompt
Create a 60-second onboarding video for new employees at a water bottling company. Cover: welcome message, company values (quality, sustainability, innovation), a quick tour of what to expect in the first week, and who to contact for help. Use a friendly, professional narration tone with upbeat background music.
Sales Example
Create a 60-second video introducing our private label bottled water program to prospective retail partners. Open with shots of our modern bottling facility, then show the variety of bottle sizes and custom label options available. Include text overlays highlighting key selling points: competitive pricing, nationwide distribution, and dedicated account management. End with a call to action to schedule a consultation. Use professional, upbeat background music.
Finance Example
Create a 60-second internal video explaining the new expense reporting process at Niagara Bottling. Walk through the steps: submitting receipts, selecting cost centers, manager approval workflow, and reimbursement timeline. Use clean animated graphics showing each step with simple icons. Include text overlays for each key step. End with contact information for the finance help desk. Use calm, professional background music.
HR / People Ops Example
Create a 60-second onboarding welcome video for new employees at Niagara Bottling. Open with a warm welcome message from the People team. Show quick clips of the office, plant floor, and break room. Highlight key first-week activities: badge pickup, benefits enrollment, safety training, and team lunch. Include text overlays with helpful tips. End with 'Welcome to the Niagara family!' Use friendly, upbeat background music.
Manufacturing / Operations Example
Create a 60-second video showcasing our production line safety protocols at Niagara Bottling. Open with a shot of the plant floor, then walk through key safety practices: PPE requirements, lockout/tagout procedures, emergency stop locations, and safe forklift zones. Use text overlays to reinforce each safety rule. End with the message 'Safety is our #1 priority.' Use clear, professional narration-style pacing with serious but motivating background music.
Engineering Example
Create a 60-second project highlight video for our latest plant expansion at Niagara Bottling. Show the progression from initial site plans and 3D renderings to construction phases and final commissioning. Include text overlays with key stats: square footage, new line capacity, and project timeline. End with a shot of the first bottle off the new line. Use professional, inspiring background music.
IT / Help Desk Example
Create a 60-second internal training video on cybersecurity best practices at Niagara Bottling. Cover the top threats: phishing emails, weak passwords, and unsecured Wi-Fi. Show animated examples of a phishing email vs. a legitimate one. Include text overlays with tips: enable MFA, report suspicious emails, lock your screen. End with 'When in doubt, contact IT.' Use clear, engaging background music.
Supply Chain / Logistics Example
Create a 60-second video showcasing Niagara Bottling's distribution network. Open with an aerial view of a distribution center, then show warehouse operations, truck loading, and fleet dispatch. Include text overlays highlighting key stats: number of distribution centers, daily shipments, and on-time delivery rate. End with the message 'From our plants to your shelves — reliably.' Use professional, dynamic background music.
Marketing Example
Create a 60-second brand story video for Niagara Bottling's sustainability commitment. Open with pristine natural water sources, then show our lightweight bottle design, recycled material usage, and energy-efficient plants. Include text overlays with key sustainability stats. End with the tagline 'Pure Water, Smaller Footprint' and our logo. Use cinematic, inspiring background music with a nature-forward visual theme.
Legal / Compliance Example
Create a 60-second internal video explaining Niagara Bottling's code of conduct and ethics reporting process. Cover key principles: integrity, respect, confidentiality, and anti-retaliation. Show how to access the ethics hotline and what happens after a report is filed. Use clean animated graphics with text overlays at each step. End with 'Integrity starts with each of us.' Use professional, trustworthy background music.
Quality Assurance Example
Create a 60-second video showcasing Niagara Bottling's quality assurance process from source to shelf. Show water source testing, in-line quality checks, lab micro testing, and final product inspection. Include text overlays with key quality stats: tests per day, certifications held (SQF, FDA), and rejection rate. End with 'Quality in every drop.' Use clean, professional background music.
Procurement Example
Create a 60-second video introducing Niagara Bottling's supplier onboarding process. Walk through the steps: application submission, qualification review, quality audit, trial order, and approved vendor status. Use clean animated graphics showing each stage with icons and text overlays. End with 'Partner with Niagara — grow with us' and contact info for the procurement team. Use professional, welcoming background music.
Customer Service Example
Create a 60-second video explaining how Niagara Bottling handles customer inquiries and complaints. Show the process: customer contacts us, case is logged, team investigates, resolution is provided, and follow-up survey is sent. Use animated graphics showing each step with text overlays. Include stats on average resolution time and satisfaction rate. End with 'Your satisfaction drives everything we do.' Use friendly, professional background music.
Bonus: Video from PowerPoint
Convert the attached PowerPoint presentation into a narrated video summary. Keep it under 2 minutes with a professional voiceover summarizing each slide's key points.
⚠ Prerequisite: Clipchamp must be enabled for your organization by your admin. If you don't see the "Create a video" option, check with IT.
Open Copilot Create ↗
Upload any image to the Create visual editor, or select an AI-generated image
Use prompt-based editing to modify specific aspects
You can also use the built-in tools: crop, filters, text overlay, background removal
Try These Edit Prompts
Change the background to a gradient of dark blue to light blue. Remove the background and make it transparent. Add a subtle drop shadow and increase the brightness by 20%. Stylize this photo to look like a watercolor painting.
📱 Mobile Tip: On the M365 mobile app, you can upload photos of whiteboards, charts, or infographics and Copilot will analyze them — extracting data into tables, recreating diagrams as editable charts, or summarizing the key points.
Create Type What It Builds Best Use Case
Image AI-generated photos, illustrations, icons Presentation slides, social posts
Poster Designed layouts with text and graphics Event promotion, announcements
Infographic Data visualization with styled layouts Reports, internal comms, training
Banner Header graphics for newsletters/sites SharePoint, email headers
Video Short narrated clips (via Clipchamp) Onboarding, training, marketing
Story Multi-slide visual narratives Social media, internal storytelling
Open Copilot Create ↗
🔑 Power Move: Use Copilot Create as the visual engine for an entire campaign — built end-to-end inside M365. Start by drafting your messaging in Word using Edit with Copilot. Then generate an infographic in Create to visualize the key data points. Design a banner for the email header. Create a short video for the Teams announcement. Build a poster for the breakroom. Finally, drop all the assets into a PowerPoint deck for leadership review — all branded, all from one ecosystem, all without opening Canva or Photoshop. That's a full internal comms campaign created in a single lunch break.
Module 9
Chat
~15 min

Chat is your command center — the single starting point for everything AI in Microsoft 365. Unlike Copilot inside individual apps, Chat can reason across your entire M365 graph: emails, files, meetings, chats, calendar, and the web — all in one conversation. Think of it as the difference between asking a colleague in one department vs. asking someone who sits in on every meeting and reads every document.

Open Chat ↗
What You'll Learn
  • Research across emails, files, chats, and meetings from one place
  • Ground responses in specific documents for accurate answers
  • Create documents and prep for meetings without opening apps
✓ Exercise 9.1 Cross-App Research — Ask Anything About Your WorkIntermediate ~4 min ▼
Open m365copilot.com/chat and ensure you're in Work mode (not Web)
Try the prompts below — notice how Copilot pulls from emails, meetings, files, and chats simultaneously
Click on citations to see exactly which source Copilot used for each claim
Try These Prompts
What are my top priorities this week based on my recent emails, meetings, and Teams messages? What did my team discuss about [project name] in the last 2 weeks? Summarize decisions, open items, and who owns what. Find all documents related to [topic] that were shared with me in the last 30 days. Summarize the key takeaways from each.
Sales Example
What are my top priorities this week? Check my Planner tasks and flagged emails for anything related to customer proposals, pricing approvals, or account reviews. Find all documents related to our Q3 private label pricing strategy in my OneDrive and recent Teams messages. Summarize what I need to focus on and flag any deadlines within the next 5 business days.
Finance Example
What are my top priorities this week? Check my Planner tasks and flagged emails for anything related to month-end close, journal entries, or budget approvals. Find all documents related to the Q2 variance analysis in my OneDrive and SharePoint. Summarize what I need to focus on and flag any deadlines within the next 5 business days.
HR / People Ops Example
What are my top priorities this week? Check my Planner tasks and flagged emails for anything related to open requisitions, onboarding tasks, or benefits enrollment deadlines. Find all documents related to the updated employee handbook in my OneDrive and SharePoint. Summarize what I need to focus on and flag any deadlines within the next 5 business days.
Engineering Example
What are my top priorities this week? Check my Planner tasks and flagged emails for anything related to capital project milestones, design reviews, or equipment commissioning. Find all documents related to the new high-speed line installation project in my OneDrive and SharePoint. Summarize what I need to focus on and flag any deadlines within the next 5 business days.
IT / Help Desk Example
What are my top priorities this week? Check my Planner tasks and flagged emails for anything related to system deployments, security patches, or open P1 tickets. Find all documents related to the Microsoft 365 Copilot rollout plan in my OneDrive and SharePoint. Summarize what I need to focus on and flag any deadlines within the next 5 business days.
Marketing Example
What are my top priorities this week? Check my Planner tasks and flagged emails for anything related to campaign launches, creative approvals, or trade show prep. Find all documents related to our sustainability campaign assets in my OneDrive and SharePoint. Summarize what I need to focus on and flag any deadlines within the next 5 business days.
Legal / Compliance Example
What are my top priorities this week? Check my Planner tasks and flagged emails for anything related to contract reviews, regulatory filings, or compliance audit prep. Find all documents related to the new supplier agreement template in my OneDrive and SharePoint. Summarize what I need to focus on and flag any deadlines within the next 5 business days.
Quality Assurance Example
What are my top priorities this week? Check my Planner tasks and flagged emails for anything related to CAPA due dates, audit findings, or product hold decisions. Find all documents related to the upcoming SQF recertification audit in my OneDrive and SharePoint. Summarize what I need to focus on and flag any deadlines within the next 5 business days.
Procurement Example
What are my top priorities this week? Check my Planner tasks and flagged emails for anything related to RFQ deadlines, supplier evaluations, or contract renewals. Find all documents related to the resin supplier rebid project in my OneDrive and SharePoint. Summarize what I need to focus on and flag any deadlines within the next 5 business days.
Customer Service Example
What are my top priorities this week? Check my Planner tasks and flagged emails for anything related to escalated customer cases, SLA reviews, or team training sessions. Find all documents related to the new customer complaint resolution process in my OneDrive and SharePoint. Summarize what I need to focus on and flag any deadlines within the next 5 business days.
💡 Work vs. Web Mode: Work mode searches your M365 data (emails, files, meetings). Web mode searches the internet. You can combine both — ask a Work question, then follow up with a Web search for industry benchmarks in the same conversation.
Manufacturing / Operations Example
Search my emails and Teams chats from the last 2 weeks for anything related to the Line 3 downtime incident. Summarize what happened, who was involved, what decisions were made, and what's still unresolved.
Supply Chain Example
Search my recent emails and documents for anything related to our Q2 inventory rebalancing initiative. Summarize the current plan, any open issues flagged by regional managers, and upcoming deadlines.
Open Chat ↗
In Chat, type / to reference a specific file from OneDrive or SharePoint
Select a document, then ask Copilot questions about it
Try chaining: reference one file, then add a second — Copilot can compare across documents
Try These Prompts
Summarize the key findings from /Q2 Operations Report and list the top 3 recommendations. Compare the budget numbers in /Q1 Budget.xlsx with /Q2 Budget.xlsx. What changed and by how much? Based on /Employee Handbook.docx, what is our policy on remote work and how many days per week are allowed?
Sales Example
Summarize the key findings from /Q2 Sales Performance Report.xlsx. What were the top 5 accounts by revenue? Compare the actual sales numbers against our quarterly targets and highlight any accounts that fell more than 10% below forecast. List the top 3 takeaways I should bring to the next sales leadership meeting.
Finance Example
Summarize the key findings from /Q2 Financial Review.xlsx. Compare actual spend vs. budget across all departments and highlight any line items with variances greater than 5%. Identify the top 3 cost drivers that exceeded plan and suggest questions I should raise with department heads during the next budget review meeting.
HR / People Ops Example
Summarize the key findings from /Q2 Headcount and Turnover Report.xlsx. What was our voluntary turnover rate by department? Compare this quarter's attrition to Q1 and identify any departments with a turnover rate above 15%. List the top 3 retention risks I should flag to leadership.
Manufacturing / Operations Example
Summarize the key findings from /Q2 Production Performance Report.xlsx. What was the OEE for each production line? Compare the actual output against planned production targets and highlight any lines that fell below 80% OEE. List the top 3 downtime causes and suggest action items for the next operations review.
Engineering Example
Summarize the key findings from /Capital Projects Status Report Q2.xlsx. What is the current status of each active project? Compare actual spend vs. approved budget and highlight any projects more than 10% over budget or behind schedule. List the top 3 risks I should escalate in the next engineering review meeting.
IT / Help Desk Example
Summarize the key findings from /Q2 IT Service Report.xlsx. What was our average ticket resolution time by category? Compare SLA compliance rates against our targets and highlight any categories below 90% compliance. List the top 3 recurring issues and suggest improvements for the next IT leadership meeting.
Supply Chain / Logistics Example
Summarize the key findings from /Q2 Logistics Performance Report.xlsx. What was the on-time delivery rate by carrier? Compare freight cost per case against our budget targets and highlight any lanes where costs increased more than 8%. List the top 3 logistics improvement opportunities for the next supply chain review.
Marketing Example
Summarize the key findings from /Q2 Marketing Campaign Report.xlsx. What was the ROI for each campaign we ran? Compare actual engagement metrics against our KPI targets and highlight any campaigns that underperformed by more than 15%. List the top 3 insights I should share at the next marketing strategy meeting.
Legal / Compliance Example
Summarize the key findings from /Q2 Contract and Compliance Report.xlsx. How many contracts were executed this quarter vs. last? Identify any contracts expiring in the next 90 days and flag any outstanding compliance action items. List the top 3 legal risks I should raise with the general counsel.
Quality Assurance Example
Summarize the key findings from /Q2 Quality Metrics Report.xlsx. What was the customer complaint rate per million units? Compare defect rates across all plants and highlight any that exceeded our threshold of 0.5%. List the top 3 quality improvement priorities and any overdue CAPAs I should escalate.
Procurement Example
Summarize the key findings from /Q2 Procurement Spend Report.xlsx. What was our total spend by category (resin, caps, labels, packaging)? Compare actual unit costs against contracted rates and highlight any materials where we paid more than 5% above contract. List the top 3 cost-saving opportunities for the next procurement review.
Customer Service Example
Summarize the key findings from /Q2 Customer Service Report.xlsx. What was our average first-response time and CSAT score? Compare case volume and resolution time against Q1 and highlight any complaint categories that increased by more than 10%. List the top 3 service improvement recommendations for the next team meeting.
🔑 Key Insight: The / command is your power tool. It tells Copilot exactly which file to ground its response in — dramatically improving accuracy vs. asking a vague question and hoping it finds the right document.
Open Chat ↗
In Chat, ask it to create a document, spreadsheet, or presentation — it builds the file directly
The file is created in your OneDrive and ready to edit
Continue the conversation to refine: "Add a section on…" or "Change the tone to…"
Try These Prompts
Create a Word document with a project brief for our new warehouse automation initiative. Include sections for objectives, timeline, budget estimate, key stakeholders, and risks. Build an Excel spreadsheet to track our Q3 marketing campaigns. Columns: campaign name, channel, budget, spend to date, leads generated, conversion rate, and ROI. Create a 6-slide PowerPoint presentation on AI adoption best practices for our leadership team. Include an executive summary, current state, recommendations, risks, timeline, and next steps.
Sales Example
Create a Word document with a proposal template for pitching our private label bottled water program to a new retail account. Include sections for: executive summary, product portfolio (bottle sizes and formats), pricing structure, distribution capabilities, quality certifications, and next steps. Use a professional tone and leave placeholders for account-specific details.
Finance Example
Create a Word document with a capital expenditure request template for Niagara Bottling. Include sections for: project description, business justification, estimated cost breakdown, expected ROI and payback period, risk assessment, and required approvals. Use a professional tone and include placeholder tables for financial projections.
HR / People Ops Example
Create a Word document with a 90-day onboarding plan template for new hires at Niagara Bottling. Include sections for: Week 1 orientation tasks, 30-day learning objectives, 60-day performance milestones, 90-day review criteria, key contacts, and required training completions. Format it as a checklist that managers can customize for their department.
Manufacturing / Operations Example
Create a Word document with a standard operating procedure (SOP) template for a production line changeover at Niagara Bottling. Include sections for: purpose, scope, safety requirements, pre-changeover checklist, step-by-step changeover procedure, post-changeover quality checks, and sign-off fields. Use clear, concise language suitable for plant floor operators.
Engineering Example
Create a Word document with a project brief for a new high-speed bottling line installation at one of our plants. Include sections for: project scope, technical requirements, equipment specifications, timeline with milestones, budget estimate, resource needs, risk assessment, and success criteria. Use a professional engineering tone.
IT / Help Desk Example
Create a Word document with a system migration plan template for rolling out Microsoft 365 Copilot across Niagara Bottling. Include sections for: project overview, phased rollout schedule, user training plan, success metrics, risk mitigation, technical prerequisites, and support escalation matrix. Use a clear, structured format suitable for executive review.
Supply Chain / Logistics Example
Create a Word document with a carrier performance review template for Niagara Bottling's logistics team. Include sections for: carrier name, review period, on-time delivery rate, damage/claim rate, cost per mile, service level compliance, strengths, areas for improvement, and contract renewal recommendation. Include a scoring rubric table.
Marketing Example
Create a Word document with a creative brief template for a new Niagara Bottling sustainability marketing campaign. Include sections for: campaign objective, target audience, key messages, brand guidelines, deliverables (social, print, video), budget, timeline, and approval workflow. Use a modern, clean format that can be shared with our creative agency.
Legal / Compliance Example
Create a Word document with a vendor agreement review checklist for Niagara Bottling's legal team. Include sections for: party identification, scope of services, pricing and payment terms, liability and indemnification, insurance requirements, termination clauses, confidentiality provisions, regulatory compliance, and approval signatures. Format as a structured checklist.
Quality Assurance Example
Create a Word document with an internal audit report template for Niagara Bottling's quality team. Include sections for: audit scope, audit date and team, areas audited, findings (categorized as Major, Minor, Observation), root cause analysis, corrective action plan with owners and due dates, and follow-up verification schedule. Use SQF-aligned formatting.
Procurement Example
Create a Word document with an RFQ (Request for Quotation) template for sourcing bottle preforms at Niagara Bottling. Include sections for: item specifications, quantity requirements, delivery schedule, quality standards, pricing format (unit cost, volume discounts, freight terms), supplier qualifications, evaluation criteria, and submission deadline. Use a professional format ready to send to suppliers.
Customer Service Example
Create a Word document with a customer escalation response template for Niagara Bottling's service team. Include sections for: case summary, customer impact assessment, investigation findings, root cause, resolution offered, preventive measures, timeline of events, and follow-up plan. Use a professional, empathetic tone suitable for sending to key account contacts.
💡 Why This Matters: Chat-first creation means you never start from a blank page. Describe the outcome, Copilot builds the first draft in the right app, and you refine from there. It's the fastest path from idea to artifact.
Open Chat ↗
Switch to Web mode in Chat (or combine with Work mode)
Ask questions that require current, external information — Copilot searches the web and cites sources
Try combining: "Based on our Q2 report [Work], how do we compare to industry benchmarks [Web]?"
Try These Prompts
What are the latest trends in sustainable packaging for the bottled water industry? Cite your sources. Research the top 5 competitors in the US bottled water market. For each, list their market share, key sustainability initiatives, and recent news. What are the current OSHA safety requirements for manufacturing facilities? Summarize the most recent updates from 2025-2026.
Sales Example
Research the latest trends in the U.S. bottled water market for 2025-2026, including growth projections, consumer preferences (flavored, alkaline, electrolyte-enhanced), and private label market share. Identify the top 5 retailers expanding their private label water programs. Summarize findings in a format I can use to prepare for a sales strategy meeting.
Finance Example
Research the latest trends in manufacturing cost management and financial planning for 2025-2026. Focus on commodity price forecasts for PET resin and energy costs, new tax incentives for manufacturing capital investments, and best practices in rolling forecasts. Summarize the top 5 findings relevant to a beverage manufacturing company's finance team.
HR / People Ops Example
Research the latest trends in manufacturing workforce recruitment and retention for 2025-2026. Focus on hourly worker engagement strategies, competitive benefits packages in the beverage industry, and AI tools being used in HR operations. Identify the top 5 best practices that a water bottling company could adopt to reduce turnover in plant roles.
Manufacturing / Operations Example
Research the latest trends in high-speed bottling line technology and smart manufacturing for 2025-2026. Focus on Industry 4.0 adoption in beverage plants, predictive maintenance innovations, and OEE benchmarks for water bottling. Identify the top 5 technologies or practices that leading bottling companies are implementing to improve efficiency.
Engineering Example
Research the latest trends in beverage plant design and engineering for 2025-2026. Focus on energy-efficient facility design, water reclamation systems, modular plant construction, and digital twin technology for manufacturing. Identify the top 5 engineering innovations being adopted by leading bottled water companies.
IT / Help Desk Example
Research the latest trends in manufacturing IT infrastructure and cybersecurity for 2025-2026. Focus on OT/IT convergence in food and beverage plants, zero-trust security frameworks, and AI-powered IT service management tools. Identify the top 5 cybersecurity threats facing manufacturing companies and recommended mitigation strategies.
Supply Chain / Logistics Example
Research the latest trends in beverage supply chain and logistics for 2025-2026. Focus on last-mile delivery innovations, AI-driven demand forecasting, autonomous trucking adoption, and sustainability in freight operations. Identify the top 5 supply chain technologies or strategies that leading CPG companies are implementing.
Marketing Example
Research the latest trends in beverage brand marketing and consumer engagement for 2025-2026. Focus on sustainability messaging effectiveness, Gen Z water consumption habits, influencer marketing in the health/wellness space, and AI-generated content strategies. Identify the top 5 marketing trends that a bottled water company should leverage this year.
Legal / Compliance Example
Research the latest regulatory changes affecting the bottled water industry in 2025-2026. Focus on FDA labeling requirements, state-level PFAS regulations, single-use plastic legislation, and ESG reporting mandates. Identify the top 5 compliance risks a water bottling company should prepare for and any upcoming regulatory deadlines.
Quality Assurance Example
Research the latest trends in food and beverage quality assurance for 2025-2026. Focus on real-time quality monitoring technologies, updates to SQF and FSSC 22000 standards, AI-powered defect detection in bottling, and PFAS testing methodologies. Identify the top 5 quality innovations that a water bottling company should evaluate.
Procurement Example
Research the latest trends in packaging material procurement for 2025-2026. Focus on PET resin price forecasts, recycled content availability (rPET), alternative packaging materials, and supplier diversification strategies for beverage companies. Identify the top 5 procurement risks and opportunities for a large-scale water bottling operation.
Customer Service Example
Research the latest trends in B2B customer service and support for 2025-2026. Focus on AI chatbots for order management, proactive issue resolution strategies, customer experience benchmarks in CPG/beverage, and self-service portal best practices. Identify the top 5 customer service innovations that a bottled water manufacturer could implement.
Open Chat ↗
Before your next meeting, open Chat and ask it to prepare you
Copilot pulls context from past meetings, emails, shared files, and attendee history
Use the output as a pre-read or paste it into your meeting notes
Click the Schedule Prompt icon (clock icon at the bottom of the prompt) to have this prompt repeat on a recurring schedule
Try This Prompt
Prepare me for my meeting with [person/team] tomorrow. Summarize our recent email exchanges, any open action items from our last meeting, relevant documents they've shared, and suggest 3 talking points I should raise.
Sales Example
Prepare me for my meeting with our largest retail account's buyer tomorrow. Summarize our recent email exchanges about pricing and volume commitments, any open action items from our last quarterly business review, and relevant sales reports or proposals they've shared. Suggest 3 talking points I should raise, including any upsell opportunities or contract renewal items.
Finance Example
Prepare me for my meeting with the VP of Operations tomorrow to review the plant budget. Summarize our recent email exchanges about cost overruns and capital requests, any open action items from our last budget review, and relevant financial reports or variance analyses. Suggest 3 talking points I should raise, including areas where we can improve cost control.
HR / People Ops Example
Prepare me for my meeting with the plant manager tomorrow to discuss staffing levels. Summarize our recent email exchanges about open positions and turnover concerns, any open action items from our last workforce planning meeting, and relevant headcount or turnover reports. Suggest 3 talking points I should raise, including retention strategies for high-turnover roles.
Manufacturing / Operations Example
Prepare me for my meeting with the maintenance team leads tomorrow to review equipment reliability. Summarize our recent email exchanges about downtime incidents and PM schedules, any open action items from our last production review, and relevant OEE or downtime reports. Suggest 3 talking points I should raise, including recurring failure modes and spare parts inventory.
Engineering Example
Prepare me for my meeting with the general contractor tomorrow about the plant expansion project. Summarize our recent email exchanges about construction milestones and change orders, any open action items from our last project status meeting, and relevant drawings or project schedules they've shared. Suggest 3 talking points I should raise, including budget concerns and timeline risks.
IT / Help Desk Example
Prepare me for my meeting with the CISO tomorrow to review our cybersecurity posture. Summarize our recent email exchanges about vulnerability assessments and incident reports, any open action items from our last security review, and relevant audit findings or compliance documents. Suggest 3 talking points I should raise, including patching cadence and user awareness training gaps.
Supply Chain / Logistics Example
Prepare me for my meeting with our primary freight carrier tomorrow to review Q2 performance. Summarize our recent email exchanges about late deliveries and rate adjustments, any open action items from our last business review, and relevant on-time delivery and claims reports. Suggest 3 talking points I should raise, including service level improvements and contract renewal terms.
Marketing Example
Prepare me for my meeting with our creative agency tomorrow to review the sustainability campaign. Summarize our recent email exchanges about deliverables and creative direction, any open action items from our last review session, and relevant brand guidelines or campaign briefs they've shared. Suggest 3 talking points I should raise, including timeline adherence and budget remaining.
Legal / Compliance Example
Prepare me for my meeting with the VP of Procurement tomorrow to review key supplier agreements. Summarize our recent email exchanges about contract amendments and liability concerns, any open action items from our last legal review, and relevant redlined contracts or compliance checklists. Suggest 3 talking points I should raise, including expiring agreements and indemnification gaps.
Quality Assurance Example
Prepare me for my meeting with the plant quality leads tomorrow to review audit readiness. Summarize our recent email exchanges about open CAPAs and non-conformance trends, any open action items from our last quality review, and relevant audit reports or inspection logs. Suggest 3 talking points I should raise, including overdue corrective actions and documentation gaps.
Procurement Example
Prepare me for my meeting with our resin supplier tomorrow to negotiate Q3 pricing. Summarize our recent email exchanges about volume commitments and price escalation clauses, any open action items from our last supplier review, and relevant market price data or contract terms. Suggest 3 talking points I should raise, including volume discount opportunities and alternative sourcing leverage.
Customer Service Example
Prepare me for my meeting with the regional account manager tomorrow to discuss a key customer's recurring delivery complaints. Summarize our recent email exchanges about the customer's issues and resolution attempts, any open action items from our last case review, and relevant complaint logs or service reports. Suggest 3 talking points I should raise, including root cause patterns and proactive communication improvements.
🔑 Key Insight: Meeting prep is one of the highest-ROI Chat use cases. Instead of spending 15 minutes digging through emails and notes, you get a comprehensive brief in 30 seconds — grounded in your actual work data.
Open Chat ↗
Mode Data Source Best For
Work Your M365 data: emails, files, meetings, chats Internal research, meeting prep, document Q&A
Web Live internet search with citations Industry research, competitive intel, current events
Work + Web Both combined in one conversation Comparing internal data to external benchmarks
/ (File Reference) Specific file from OneDrive/SharePoint Precise Q&A, document comparison, summaries
Chat-First Creation Your prompt + org templates Building docs, spreadsheets, decks from scratch
🔑 Power Move: Build a daily Chat ritual. Every morning, open Chat and ask: "What are my priorities today based on my calendar, unread emails, and any open action items from yesterday's meetings?" Then follow up: "Draft a quick status update for my manager covering what I accomplished yesterday and what I'm focused on today." Two prompts, two minutes — and you've replaced your entire morning triage routine.
Module 10
Notebooks
~10 min

Notebooks is your personal AI workspace inside M365 Copilot. Updated February 2026 with a revamped experience that brings references, Copilot Pages content, and Copilot chats into one seamless, side-by-side view. New features include richer reference sets, a new Overview page, faster artifact creation, and easier sharing with teammates. Think of Notebooks as a scratchpad with superpowers — where you can iterate, refine, and build complex documents with Copilot as your always-on collaborator.

Open Copilot Notebooks ↗
What You'll Learn
  • Create a personal AI workspace for deep thinking
  • Iterate on content with persistent context
  • Brainstorm and explore ideas with AI assistance
✓ Exercise 10.1 Create Your First NotebookBeginner ~2 min ▼
Open Notebooks in the Copilot app (this is Copilot Notebooks, not OneNote)
Click New page to start a fresh page in your notebook
Click the + icon to add reference files — you can also click the link button (top right) to add URLs as sources
Draft your content or enter the prompt below
Try This Prompt
Create a comprehensive project brief for a new employee onboarding program at Niagara Bottling. Include sections for: objectives, target audience, timeline, key milestones, success metrics, and a list of stakeholders. Use a professional tone.
Sales Example
Create a comprehensive project brief for launching a new regional sales territory at Niagara Bottling. Include sections for: market opportunity analysis, target account list criteria, staffing requirements, sales targets for the first 12 months, competitive landscape, pricing strategy, marketing support needs, and a phased rollout timeline. Make it detailed enough to present to senior leadership for approval.
Finance Example
Create a comprehensive project brief for implementing a new rolling forecast process at Niagara Bottling. Include sections for: current state assessment, proposed forecast model design, data sources and integrations, technology requirements, change management plan, training needs, success metrics, and a phased implementation timeline. Make it detailed enough to present to the CFO for approval.
HR / People Ops Example
Create a comprehensive project brief for redesigning the employee onboarding program at Niagara Bottling. Include sections for: current onboarding gaps, proposed program structure (pre-boarding through 90 days), role-specific tracks for plant vs. office roles, technology tools needed, buddy/mentor program design, success metrics, budget estimate, and a phased rollout plan. Make it detailed enough to present to HR leadership for approval.
IT / Help Desk Example
Create a comprehensive project brief for deploying Microsoft 365 Copilot across all departments at Niagara Bottling. Include sections for: business case, licensing and cost analysis, phased rollout plan by department, training program design, security and data governance requirements, success metrics, risk assessment, and an executive summary. Make it detailed enough to present to the CIO for approval.
Supply Chain / Logistics Example
Create a comprehensive project brief for opening a new regional distribution center at Niagara Bottling. Include sections for: location analysis criteria, capacity requirements, warehouse layout design, staffing plan, technology systems (WMS, TMS), carrier network setup, budget estimate, timeline, and expected impact on delivery performance. Make it detailed enough to present to senior leadership for approval.
Marketing Example
Create a comprehensive project brief for launching a sustainability-focused brand campaign at Niagara Bottling. Include sections for: campaign objectives, target audience profiles, key messages, channel strategy (digital, print, in-store, events), creative direction, budget breakdown, agency brief, measurement KPIs, and a 6-month campaign timeline. Make it detailed enough to present to the CMO for approval.
Legal / Compliance Example
Create a comprehensive project brief for implementing a contract lifecycle management (CLM) system at Niagara Bottling. Include sections for: current pain points, system requirements, vendor evaluation criteria, integration with existing tools, workflow automation design, compliance benefits, training plan, budget estimate, and phased rollout timeline. Make it detailed enough to present to the General Counsel for approval.
Quality Assurance Example
Create a comprehensive project brief for implementing a real-time quality monitoring system across all Niagara Bottling plants. Include sections for: current quality gaps, proposed system architecture (sensors, dashboards, alerts), integration with existing LIMS, plant-by-plant rollout plan, training requirements, expected defect reduction targets, budget estimate, and timeline. Make it detailed enough to present to the VP of Quality for approval.
Procurement Example
Create a comprehensive project brief for launching a supplier diversification initiative for critical packaging materials at Niagara Bottling. Include sections for: current single-source risks, target materials (resin, caps, labels), supplier qualification criteria, sourcing timeline, quality validation requirements, cost impact analysis, risk mitigation plan, and phased implementation schedule. Make it detailed enough to present to the VP of Procurement for approval.
Customer Service Example
Create a comprehensive project brief for building a customer self-service portal at Niagara Bottling. Include sections for: current customer pain points, proposed portal features (order tracking, complaint submission, invoice access, FAQ), technology platform requirements, integration with CRM and ERP, user experience design principles, rollout plan, success metrics, and budget estimate. Make it detailed enough to present to the VP of Customer Experience for approval.
💡 Pro Tip: Notebooks persist across sessions — you can come back tomorrow and pick up exactly where you left off. Use them for any project that requires multiple rounds of iteration.
Engineering Example
I need to evaluate three different conveyor belt motor options for the new bottling line expansion. Help me build a comparison framework covering: power requirements, maintenance intervals, lead time, cost, and compatibility with our existing Siemens PLC systems. Pull specs from the attached vendor datasheets.
Manufacturing / Operations Example
Help me draft a continuous improvement proposal for reducing changeover time on our filling lines. I want to analyze our current changeover data, benchmark against industry standards, and outline a SMED-based improvement plan with projected time and cost savings.
Open Copilot Notebooks ↗
With content in your notebook, click Quick create to generate outputs like a podcast-style audio recap or a study guide
Continue refining by adding more pages or reference materials
Try adding a follow-up prompt to generate a related artifact — like a checklist or FAQ
Try These Follow-Up Prompts
Expand the timeline section into a detailed week-by-week schedule for the first 90 days. Add a FAQ section that new hires would find helpful during their first week. Create a checklist version of the key milestones that a manager could print and track.
🔑 Key Insight: The power of Notebooks is iteration. Unlike a single chat prompt, you can build, refine, and polish content across multiple turns — all in one persistent workspace.
Open Copilot Notebooks ↗
Use the Copilot chat in the right side panel — it defaults to Research a topic with suggested prompts you can click
Try the suggested prompts or type your own brainstorming questions
Copilot researches using your notebook content and references to generate insights
Try This Prompt
Brainstorm 10 creative ideas for improving cross-department communication at a manufacturing company. For each idea, include: the concept, estimated effort level (low/medium/high), potential impact, and any tools from M365 that could support it.
Sales Example
Brainstorm 10 creative ideas for increasing private label bottled water sales with existing retail accounts at Niagara Bottling. Consider strategies like seasonal promotions, new bottle formats, co-branded displays, volume incentive programs, and digital shelf optimization. For each idea, include a brief description and estimated impact level (high, medium, low).
Finance Example
Brainstorm 10 creative ideas for reducing operational costs across Niagara Bottling's plants without impacting product quality. Consider areas like energy efficiency, waste reduction, process automation, vendor consolidation, and inventory optimization. For each idea, include a brief description and estimated annual savings potential (high, medium, low).
HR / People Ops Example
Brainstorm 10 creative ideas for reducing hourly employee turnover at Niagara Bottling's manufacturing plants. Consider strategies like shift flexibility, recognition programs, career development paths, onboarding improvements, and workplace culture initiatives. For each idea, include a brief description and estimated implementation effort (high, medium, low).
Manufacturing / Operations Example
Brainstorm 10 creative ideas for improving Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) across Niagara Bottling's production lines. Consider approaches like predictive maintenance, changeover optimization, operator training, real-time dashboards, and autonomous quality checks. For each idea, include a brief description and estimated OEE improvement potential (high, medium, low).
Engineering Example
Brainstorm 10 creative ideas for making Niagara Bottling's next plant design more energy-efficient and sustainable. Consider innovations in HVAC, water reclamation, solar power, waste heat recovery, building materials, and smart building systems. For each idea, include a brief description and estimated energy savings potential (high, medium, low).
IT / Help Desk Example
Brainstorm 10 creative ideas for improving IT service delivery and user satisfaction at Niagara Bottling. Consider approaches like AI chatbots, self-service portals, proactive monitoring, gamified training, mobile-first help desk, and automated provisioning. For each idea, include a brief description and estimated impact on ticket volume reduction (high, medium, low).
Supply Chain / Logistics Example
Brainstorm 10 creative ideas for reducing freight costs while maintaining on-time delivery at Niagara Bottling. Consider strategies like load optimization, mode shifting, regional consolidation, backhaul programs, dynamic routing, and carrier partnerships. For each idea, include a brief description and estimated cost savings potential (high, medium, low).
Marketing Example
Brainstorm 10 creative ideas for building Niagara Bottling's brand awareness among health-conscious consumers aged 18-35. Consider channels like social media, influencer partnerships, event sponsorships, sampling programs, sustainability storytelling, and interactive digital experiences. For each idea, include a brief description and estimated reach potential (high, medium, low).
Legal / Compliance Example
Brainstorm 10 creative ideas for streamlining the contract review and approval process at Niagara Bottling. Consider approaches like template standardization, AI-assisted review, automated approval workflows, self-service clause libraries, risk scoring, and vendor tiering. For each idea, include a brief description and estimated time savings per contract (high, medium, low).
Quality Assurance Example
Brainstorm 10 creative ideas for reducing customer complaints related to product quality at Niagara Bottling. Consider approaches like enhanced in-line inspection, supplier quality programs, employee quality incentives, predictive defect detection, improved packaging integrity tests, and customer feedback loops. For each idea, include a brief description and estimated complaint reduction potential (high, medium, low).
Procurement Example
Brainstorm 10 creative ideas for achieving cost savings in Niagara Bottling's packaging material procurement. Consider strategies like demand aggregation, alternative materials, supplier development programs, reverse auctions, long-term partnerships, recycled content sourcing, and total cost of ownership analysis. For each idea, include a brief description and estimated savings potential (high, medium, low).
Customer Service Example
Brainstorm 10 creative ideas for improving first-contact resolution rates at Niagara Bottling's customer service team. Consider approaches like enhanced knowledge bases, agent decision trees, proactive outreach, AI-powered case routing, real-time inventory visibility for agents, and cross-training with logistics. For each idea, include a brief description and estimated impact on resolution rate (high, medium, low).
Open Copilot Notebooks ↗
Feature Chat Notebooks
Persistence Conversation resets each session Content saved and editable across sessions
Best For Quick questions, lookups, one-off tasks Long-form content, iteration, deep work
Editing No inline editing Full inline editing + side-by-side references
Use Case "Summarize this email" "Build me a 90-day project plan and refine it"
🆕 Agent Grounding (Feb 2026): You can now ground an agent on a Copilot Notebook, drawing directly from your references and working materials. This keeps agent outputs aligned with the context of your work — consistent, relevant, and tailored to the information you're working with.
🔑 Power Move: Use Notebooks as your thinking partner. Start with a rough idea, let Copilot generate a first draft, then iterate 3–5 times. By the end, you'll have a polished document that would have taken hours to write from scratch — built in minutes through collaborative AI iteration.
Module 11
Prompt Mastery
~15 min

Great prompts are the difference between a mediocre Copilot response and a game-changing one. This module teaches you two powerful frameworks — GCSE and RACE — so you can write prompts that consistently deliver high-quality results across every M365 app.

Prompting Framework #1 — GCSE (Microsoft's Official M365 Copilot Framework):

Letter Meaning What to Include
Goal What do you want Copilot to do? The specific outcome — summarize, draft, analyze, compare, create, etc.
Context Why do you need it and who is it for? Background, audience, situation, constraints, or project details.
Source What information should Copilot use? Files, emails, meetings, web data, or paste text directly. Reference by name when possible.
Expectation How should the output look and feel? Format (table, bullets, paragraphs), tone (formal, casual), length, and style.
GCSE Example Prompt
[Goal] Summarize the key decisions and open action items [Context] from our Q1 planning meeting — this is for the VP of Operations who wasn't able to attend [Source] using the meeting transcript from last Tuesday's "Q1 Ops Planning" Teams meeting [Expectation] Format as a one-page executive brief with a table of action items including owner, deadline, and status. Use a formal tone.

Prompting Framework #2 — RACE (General-Purpose Prompting):

Letter Meaning What to Include
Role Who should Copilot act as? A persona that shapes expertise and perspective — analyst, coach, editor, etc.
Action What should it do? The verb — write, analyze, compare, generate, translate, simplify, etc.
Context What background info? Situation, audience, constraints, project details, or reference material.
Expectation What format/outcome? Deliverable format, tone, length, style, or specific structure requirements.
RACE Example Prompt
[Role] Act as a senior operations analyst [Action] Create a comparison report [Context] evaluating our three warehouse automation vendors — we need a recommendation by Friday for the leadership team [Expectation] Structure it as a two-page brief with a side-by-side comparison table, pros/cons for each vendor, and a clear recommendation with rationale. Professional tone.
💡 Which Framework Should I Use?

Use GCSE when you're working inside M365 Copilot apps (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Chat). GCSE is Microsoft's native framework — it's built around the way Copilot accesses your work data. The Source element is the key differentiator: it tells Copilot exactly which files, emails, meetings, or web data to ground its response in. This is critical because Copilot can see your entire M365 graph — pointing it to the right source dramatically improves accuracy.

Use RACE when you want Copilot to adopt a specific expertise or persona. RACE shines for creative tasks, strategic thinking, and scenarios where the Role changes how Copilot approaches the problem. Telling Copilot to "act as a financial controller" vs. "act as a marketing strategist" produces fundamentally different outputs from the same data.

Think of it this way: GCSE is like giving someone a research assignment — here's the goal, here's why, here's the filing cabinet to pull from, here's the format. RACE is like hiring a specialist — here's who you are, here's the job, here's the background, here's what I need back.
Reference Side-by-Side: Same Task, Two FrameworksBeginner ~2 min ▼

Here's the same request written both ways — notice how each framework naturally emphasizes different things:

GCSE Version — Drafting an Email
[Goal] Draft a follow-up email to the vendor about the delayed shipment [Context] We're 3 days past the expected delivery date for our Q2 packaging materials order, and production is impacted starting Monday [Source] Reference the original purchase order email from March 3rd in my Outlook sent items [Expectation] Professional but firm tone. Keep it under 150 words. Include a specific request for an updated delivery date and an escalation path if they can't meet it.
RACE Version — Same Task
[Role] Act as a supply chain manager who is professional but direct [Action] Write a follow-up email to our packaging vendor about a shipment that is 3 days late [Context] This is for our Q2 packaging materials order. Production will be impacted starting Monday if the materials don't arrive. Reference the original PO from March 3rd. [Expectation] Under 150 words, firm but professional tone, request an updated delivery date and provide a clear escalation path.
Scenario Best Framework Why
Summarize a Teams meeting GCSE You need to point Copilot to a specific meeting (Source)
Draft an email from a thread GCSE Copilot needs to reference existing Outlook data (Source)
Analyze an Excel workbook GCSE Source is already open — tell Copilot the goal and format
Write a strategy memo RACE The persona (Role) shapes the strategic lens
Brainstorm creative ideas RACE Different roles ("marketer" vs. "engineer") yield different ideas
Build a presentation from scratch Either GCSE if referencing files, RACE if from a persona perspective
Coach my email tone GCSE Goal-oriented, source is your existing draft
Create training materials RACE "Act as an instructional designer" changes how content is structured
🔑 Power Move: You can combine both frameworks. Start with a Role, then add Goal, Context, Source, and Expectation. Example: "Act as a financial analyst [Role]. Summarize the quarterly results [Goal] for the board meeting next week [Context], using the Q1 earnings spreadsheet in SharePoint [Source]. Format as 5 bullet points with a chart recommendation [Expectation]."
🛠️ Interactive Prompt Builder
Build your own prompt by selecting components below. Think of it like a burger builder — pick your ingredients and watch the prompt assemble in real time.
Live Prompt Preview
Select options above to build your prompt...

🔍 Before & After: Spot the Difference

Good prompts are specific, contextual, and tell Copilot exactly what you need. Compare these weak vs. strong prompts — notice how small changes make a massive difference in output quality.

❌ Weak Prompt
Summarize this meeting.
Missing: audience, format, what to focus on
✅ Strong Prompt
Summarize the key decisions and action items from last Tuesday's Q1 Ops Planning meeting. Format as an executive brief for the VP of Operations who wasn't able to attend. Include a table of action items with owner, deadline, and status.
Added: specific meeting, audience, format, structure
❌ Weak Prompt
Write an email to the vendor.
Missing: tone, context, what to ask for
✅ Strong Prompt
Draft a professional but firm follow-up email to our packaging vendor about a shipment that is 3 days late. Reference the original PO from March 3rd. Keep it under 150 words and include a specific request for an updated delivery date and escalation path.
Added: tone, context, reference, length, specific asks
📑
Prompt Cheat Sheets by Job Function
62 ready-to-paste prompts across 8 job functions — tailored for Niagara's M365 + Oracle Fusion + Workday environment.
💡 How to Use: Click any job function below to expand its prompts. Each prompt has a Copy button — click it, paste into Copilot, and customize the [bracketed placeholders] with your specific details. The more context you fill in, the better Copilot's output will be. Click the ⭐ star on any prompt to save it as a favorite — then use the Export as PDF button below to download all your favorites as a portable reference document.
⭐ My Favorite Prompts 0
⭐ Pre-Call Customer Research Brief Chat
Summarize everything we know about [Customer Name] — pull from my recent emails, Teams chats, and any shared files in our Sales team SharePoint. Include their last order history, any open issues or complaints, and key contacts. Format as a one-page pre-call brief with a section for talking points I should raise on the call. Keep it concise and professional.
⭐ Proposal Draft from Meeting Notes Word
Draft a customer proposal based on the notes from my Teams meeting with [Customer Name] last [day]. Include the pricing we discussed, delivery timeline, and volume commitments. Reference our standard Niagara terms from the proposal template in SharePoint. Format as a professional document with an executive summary, scope of supply, pricing table, and next steps. Formal tone.
⭐ Weekly Pipeline Status Email Outlook
Write a pipeline status update email for my sales manager. Summarize the deals I've been working on this week based on my sent emails and Teams conversations. Group by stage: prospecting, negotiation, and closing. For each deal, include the account name, estimated volume, and next action. Keep it under 300 words with a table format. Professional but direct tone.
⭐ Competitive Response Talking Points Chat
Create a competitive response cheat sheet for when prospects mention [Competitor Name]. Include 5-7 talking points that highlight Niagara's advantages — focus on our manufacturing scale, sustainability initiatives, speed of delivery, and cost efficiency. Format as a quick-reference card with short bullet points I can glance at during a call.
⭐ Quarterly Business Review Deck PowerPoint
Build a quarterly business review presentation for [Customer Name]. Pull data from the QBR template in our Sales SharePoint site and reference my recent email threads with this customer. Include slides for: volume summary vs. plan, service level performance, new product opportunities, and a forward-looking plan for next quarter. Professional tone, use tables and charts where relevant.
⭐ Cold Outreach Email Sequence Outlook
Draft a 3-email outreach sequence for a new prospect in the [grocery/convenience/foodservice] channel. Email 1 should be a warm introduction referencing Niagara's position as the largest private-label water supplier. Email 2 should follow up with a specific value proposition around cost savings and speed. Email 3 should be a final nudge with a clear call to action. Each email under 150 words. Conversational but professional.
⭐ Win/Loss Analysis Summary Chat
Analyze the deals I've won and lost this quarter based on my email history and any CRM notes I've shared in Teams. Identify common patterns — what factors led to wins vs. losses? Summarize in a table: Deal, Outcome, Key Factor, Lesson Learned. Then give me 3 actionable recommendations to improve my close rate next quarter.
⭐ Month-End Close Checklist Status Excel
Create a month-end close status tracker based on our standard close checklist. Include columns for: Task, Owner, Due Date, Status, and Notes. Pre-populate with common close tasks — subledger reconciliations, intercompany eliminations, accruals, fixed asset roll-forward, and revenue recognition review. Format as a clean table I can paste into our tracking sheet.
⭐ Variance Analysis Narrative Excel
Analyze the data in this spreadsheet comparing actual vs. budget for [month/quarter]. For every line item with a variance greater than 5%, write a brief explanation of the likely driver based on the trends in the data. Format the output as a table: Line Item, Budget, Actual, Variance %, and Explanation. Then write a 3-paragraph executive summary of the key variances suitable for the VP of Finance.
⭐ Vendor Payment Inquiry Response Outlook
Draft a professional reply to this vendor payment inquiry email. Check my inbox for any related correspondence about this vendor's invoice or PO. Acknowledge their question, reference the relevant invoice number, and let them know our standard payment terms are Net 60 from invoice receipt. If there's a discrepancy, offer to escalate to AP. Polite and professional, under 100 words.
⭐ Oracle Fusion Journal Entry Documentation Word
Help me write the journal entry memo documentation for a [describe the adjustment — e.g., reclassification, accrual reversal, intercompany entry]. Include the business purpose, affected accounts with debit/credit amounts, the Oracle Fusion batch name convention we should use, and the supporting reference. Format as a structured memo with header fields: Date, Prepared By, Batch Name, Description, and a debit/credit table.
⭐ Cash Flow Forecast Summary Chat
Summarize the key takeaways from the attached cash flow forecast spreadsheet. Highlight the weeks where we expect the tightest cash positions and identify the top 3 drivers of cash outflows. Write a 2-paragraph briefing for the Treasury team with recommendations on timing of major disbursements. Professional tone, numbers formatted with dollar signs and commas.
⭐ Audit Request Response Organizer Word
Organize the audit request list in this document into a tracking matrix. For each request, create columns: PBC Item #, Description, Owner, Source System (Oracle Fusion / Workday / SharePoint), Due Date, and Status. Flag any items that require data pulls from Oracle Fusion specifically and note the report name or path. Format as a table I can copy into Excel.
⭐ Financial Presentation Slide Builder PowerPoint
Create a presentation summarizing our [Q1/Q2/Q3/Q4] financial performance for the leadership team. Include slides for: Revenue vs. Plan, Gross Margin Trend, SG&A Highlights, Capital Expenditure Summary, and Key Metrics Dashboard. Use the data from the attached spreadsheet. Keep each slide to one key insight with supporting data. Executive tone, clean chart-heavy layout.
⭐ Expense Report Policy Reminder Outlook
Draft an email to my team reminding them of the expense report submission deadline and key policy points. Reference our Workday expense submission process — reports must be submitted within 30 days of travel, receipts over $25 are required, and manager approval is needed before reimbursement. Friendly but clear tone. Include a link placeholder for the Workday expense portal. Under 200 words.
⭐ Job Description Draft Word
Write a job description for a [Job Title] role at Niagara Bottling. The position is based at our [location] facility and reports to the [Manager Title]. Include sections for: Role Summary, Key Responsibilities (6-8 bullets), Required Qualifications, Preferred Qualifications, and What We Offer. Tone should be professional but welcoming — we want to attract strong candidates. Mention that we're the largest private-label bottled water company in the U.S.
⭐ New Hire Onboarding Checklist Word
Create a comprehensive 90-day onboarding checklist for a new [role] at Niagara. Break it into Week 1 (orientation & setup), Weeks 2-4 (training & integration), and Months 2-3 (performance ramp). Include IT setup items (M365 account, Teams channels, shared drives), Workday enrollment tasks (benefits, direct deposit, emergency contacts), required compliance training, and key meetings to schedule. Format as a table with columns: Task, Owner, Due By, and Completed checkbox.
⭐ All-Hands Meeting Recap Email Outlook
Summarize the key points from our all-hands Teams meeting held on [date]. Focus on company updates, new initiatives, recognition callouts, and any action items for the team. Write it as a friendly recap email that employees who missed the meeting can quickly scan. Use a short intro paragraph, then organize by topic with brief bullet points. Warm, inclusive tone. Under 400 words.
⭐ Employee Engagement Survey Analysis Excel
Analyze the employee engagement survey results in this spreadsheet. Identify the top 3 strengths and top 3 areas for improvement across all departments. Break out any notable differences between manufacturing/plant roles and corporate/office roles. Summarize findings in a presentation-ready format with a recommended action plan for each improvement area. Include data visualizations where they'd help tell the story.
⭐ Performance Review Talking Points Chat
Help me prepare talking points for an employee's annual performance review. The employee is a [role] who has been with Niagara for [X years]. Their strengths include [list 2-3]. Areas for development include [list 1-2]. I want to keep the conversation constructive and forward-looking. Structure as: Opening (positive framing), Key Achievements, Development Areas with specific examples, Goals for Next Year, and Career Growth Discussion. Coaching tone.
⭐ Policy Update Communication Outlook
Draft an internal communication announcing an update to our [policy name — e.g., PTO, remote work, safety]. The key change is [describe change]. Explain why we're making this change, when it takes effect, and where employees can find the full updated policy in Workday or SharePoint. Include an FAQ section with 3-4 anticipated questions. Professional but approachable tone. Format for email distribution to all employees.
⭐ Interview Question Bank Word
Generate a bank of 10 behavioral interview questions for a [Job Title] position at Niagara. Focus on competencies relevant to our manufacturing/bottling environment: safety mindset, teamwork, problem-solving under pressure, continuous improvement, and adaptability. Use the STAR format guidance — for each question, include a note on what a strong answer should demonstrate. Format as a numbered list with the competency tagged for each.
⭐ Workforce Planning Summary Excel
Analyze the headcount data in this spreadsheet and create a workforce planning summary. Show current headcount by department and location, open requisitions, turnover rate trends over the past 4 quarters, and projected hiring needs for next quarter. Highlight any departments with turnover above 15% and recommend retention strategies. Format as a 2-page executive brief with a summary table and trend chart.
⭐ Shift Handoff Summary Word
Write a shift handoff report for Line [X] at our [facility name] plant. Today's shift ran from [time] to [time]. Include sections for: Production Output vs. Target, Downtime Events (with line, duration, and root cause), Quality Holds or Deviations, Maintenance Issues Flagged, Safety Observations, and Priorities for the Next Shift. Format as a structured report that the incoming shift supervisor can scan in under 2 minutes. Clear, factual tone.
⭐ Downtime Analysis Report Excel
Analyze the downtime data in this spreadsheet for [time period]. Identify the top 5 downtime categories by total hours lost, break them out by production line, and calculate the percentage of planned production time lost for each. Create a Pareto-style summary showing which issues account for 80% of total downtime. Recommend 3 corrective actions based on the patterns. Format with tables and a clear executive summary paragraph.
⭐ SOP First Draft Word
Draft a Standard Operating Procedure for [process name — e.g., CIP cycle, bottle changeover, palletizer jam clearing]. Include: Purpose, Scope, Required PPE, Tools/Materials Needed, Step-by-Step Procedure (numbered), Safety Precautions, and Troubleshooting Tips. Write at a level that a newly trained operator can follow. Use clear, direct language with action verbs starting each step. Include placeholder callouts for photos or diagrams where they'd be helpful.
⭐ OEE Performance Email to Leadership Outlook
Draft an email to the plant leadership team summarizing this week's OEE performance across all lines. Reference the attached production data. Call out the top-performing line and the line with the most opportunity. Include Availability, Performance, and Quality breakdowns for each. End with 2-3 recommended focus areas for next week. Professional, data-driven tone. Under 300 words with a summary table.
⭐ CAPA Documentation Draft Word
Help me write a Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) report for the following issue: [describe the quality event or deviation]. Include sections for: Problem Description, Immediate Containment Actions Taken, Root Cause Analysis (use 5-Why format), Corrective Actions with Owners and Due Dates, Preventive Actions to Avoid Recurrence, and Effectiveness Verification Plan. Formal quality documentation tone.
⭐ Production Meeting Agenda Builder Word
Create an agenda for our daily production meeting. Standard topics should include: Safety Moment, Yesterday's Production Results vs. Plan, Quality Metrics, Downtime Review, Maintenance Priorities, Today's Production Schedule and Changeovers, Staffing/Labor Update, and Open Floor. For each topic, include the presenter and a time allocation that keeps the total meeting under 30 minutes. Format as a clean, printable one-page document.
⭐ Training Matrix Builder Excel
Create a training matrix for the [department/line] team. List all operators in rows and all required competencies/certifications in columns — include machine operation, lockout/tagout, forklift, quality checks, GMP, and any line-specific skills. Use a status key: ✅ Certified, 🔄 In Training, ❌ Not Started. Pre-populate based on the roster data in this spreadsheet and flag anyone with expired or upcoming recertification dates.
⭐ Waste Reduction Analysis Excel
Analyze the material waste data in this spreadsheet for the past [time period]. Break down waste by category — startup scrap, changeover waste, quality rejects, and packaging defects. Calculate waste as a percentage of total production and compare against our target of [X%]. Identify the top 3 contributors and recommend specific actions to reduce each. Include a trend chart showing waste % by week.
⭐ Capital Project Status Report Word
Write a capital project status report for [Project Name] at our [facility] plant. The project budget is $[X]M and we are currently in the [phase — design/construction/commissioning] phase. Include: Project Overview, Budget Status (spent vs. remaining), Schedule Status (on track / behind / ahead with milestones), Key Risks and Mitigations, Decisions Needed, and a photo/progress section placeholder. Format for our monthly engineering review meeting. Executive summary tone.
⭐ Equipment Specification Comparison Excel
Create a side-by-side comparison of [Equipment Type] options from the vendor quotes in the attached documents. Compare: Manufacturer, Model, Capacity (bottles/hour), Power Requirements, Footprint Dimensions, Lead Time, Warranty Terms, Total Installed Cost, and Annual Maintenance Estimate. Highlight the best option in each category and include a recommendation section weighing total cost of ownership vs. capability. Format as a decision matrix table.
⭐ Engineering Change Order Draft Word
Draft an Engineering Change Order (ECO) document for the following change: [describe the change — e.g., modifying conveyor speed settings on Line 4, upgrading PLC firmware, adding a new rinser nozzle configuration]. Include: Change Description, Reason for Change, Affected Lines/Systems, Impact Assessment (production, quality, safety, cost), Required Approvals, Implementation Plan with Timeline, and Rollback Procedure. Formal engineering documentation tone.
⭐ Vendor RFQ Email Outlook
Draft an RFQ email to [Vendor Name] requesting a quote for [equipment/service description]. Include our technical requirements: [list key specs — capacity, voltage, materials of construction, compliance standards]. Mention our timeline — we need quotes by [date] with delivery required by [date]. Request a breakdown of equipment cost, installation, commissioning, training, and ongoing support. Professional procurement tone. Reference our Niagara Bottling vendor qualification requirements.
⭐ Maintenance PM Schedule Builder Excel
Build a preventive maintenance schedule for [equipment name/line] using the manufacturer's recommended intervals and our plant experience. Create a matrix with: Task Description, Frequency (daily/weekly/monthly/quarterly/annual), Estimated Duration, Required Parts, Skill Level Required, and Last Completed Date. Format as an Excel-ready table that our maintenance planner can import into the CMMS system.
⭐ Technical Root Cause Analysis Chat
Help me structure a root cause analysis for the following equipment failure: [describe the failure event, symptoms, and when it occurred]. Walk me through a fishbone/Ishikawa analysis covering: Machine, Method, Material, Manpower, Measurement, and Environment categories. Then apply the 5-Why technique to the most likely root cause branch. Conclude with recommended corrective actions and verification steps. Technical but clear documentation tone.
⭐ Project Timeline Presentation PowerPoint
Create a project timeline presentation for the [Project Name] capital project. Include slides for: Project Objective and Scope, Key Milestones (design, procurement, construction, commissioning, go-live), Current Status with a visual Gantt-style timeline, Budget Snapshot, Risk Register Summary, and Team/Responsibilities. The audience is the VP of Engineering and plant leadership. Clean, visual-heavy layout with minimal text per slide.
⭐ Energy Efficiency Opportunity Report Excel
Analyze the energy consumption data in this spreadsheet for our [facility] plant. Compare kWh usage by production line and shift, identify lines running above baseline efficiency, and calculate potential savings if we brought them to best-in-class levels. Include utility cost impact at $[rate]/kWh. Format as a 1-page opportunity summary with a savings table and a prioritized recommendation list. Data-driven, business-case tone.
⭐ Outage Communication Email Outlook
Draft an outage notification email for all Niagara employees. The affected system is [system name — e.g., Oracle Fusion, Workday, VPN, SharePoint]. The outage began at [time] and the estimated resolution time is [time]. Include: What's Affected, Impact to Users, What We're Doing, Workarounds (if any), and When We'll Send the Next Update. Clear, calm, professional tone. Under 150 words. Include a subject line with urgency level.
⭐ Knowledge Base Article Word
Write an IT knowledge base article for: How to [common task — e.g., reset your M365 password, connect to VPN from home, set up Outlook on a mobile device, request software through the IT portal]. Include: Overview (1 sentence), Prerequisites, Step-by-Step Instructions with numbered steps, Screenshots placeholder callouts, Troubleshooting section for the 3 most common issues, and a Contact IT Support section with our help desk info. Write for a non-technical audience.
⭐ Ticket Trend Analysis Excel
Analyze the help desk ticket data in this spreadsheet for [time period]. Break down tickets by category, priority level, resolution time, and assignment group. Identify the top 5 ticket drivers by volume, calculate average resolution time by category, and flag any categories where resolution SLA is being missed. Recommend 3 actions to reduce ticket volume — like self-service improvements, training, or automation. Format with summary tables and a trend chart.
⭐ IT Project Status Update Outlook
Write a weekly IT project status update for the [Project Name — e.g., M365 Copilot rollout, network refresh, Oracle Fusion upgrade]. Include: Overall Status (Green/Yellow/Red), Key Accomplishments This Week, Planned Activities Next Week, Risks and Issues, and Decisions Needed from Leadership. Keep it structured and scannable. Audience is the IT Director and project stakeholders. Under 250 words with a status summary table at the top.
⭐ New Employee IT Setup Checklist Excel
Create a new employee IT provisioning checklist for our onboarding process. Include all standard setup tasks: M365 account creation, email and Teams configuration, laptop/device imaging and deployment, VPN setup, security training enrollment, shared drive and SharePoint permissions, printer setup, Oracle Fusion access request, Workday system access, and badge/physical access. Format as a table: Task, System, Owner (IT / HR / Facilities), SLA (days), and Status. Organized by Day 1 vs. First Week priorities.
⭐ System Migration Communication Plan Word
Draft a user communication plan for our upcoming [system/migration name] project. We need 4 emails: (1) Initial announcement 4 weeks before, (2) Detailed instructions 2 weeks before, (3) Final reminder with go-live date 2 days before, and (4) Go-live confirmation with support info. Each email should be concise, include what users need to do, and link to training resources. Friendly, supportive tone — we know change is hard.
⭐ Security Awareness Reminder Outlook
Draft a company-wide email reminding employees about IT security best practices. Cover: recognizing phishing emails (with 2-3 real-world examples of what to look for), strong password hygiene, not sharing credentials, locking workstations, and how to report suspicious activity to our IT security team. Tone should be helpful and non-threatening — we want people to report issues, not hide them. Include a "quick quiz" with 3 yes/no questions at the end. Under 300 words.
⭐ Inventory Position Summary Excel
Analyze the inventory data in this spreadsheet and create a position summary for our [facility/warehouse]. Show current stock levels by SKU category, days of supply on hand, items below safety stock, and items at risk of aging out. Highlight the top 10 SKUs by dollar value at risk and recommend actions: expedite, transfer, or markdown. Format as a dashboard-style summary table with a red/yellow/green status column.
⭐ Carrier Scorecard Report Excel
Create a carrier performance scorecard from the shipping data in this spreadsheet. Evaluate each carrier on: On-Time Delivery %, Damage Rate, Average Transit Time, Cost per Load, and Responsiveness to Claims. Rank carriers from best to worst overall, and flag any carrier below our minimum threshold on any metric. Include a recommendation section for carrier mix adjustments next quarter. Format as a clean report with a comparison table.
⭐ Supplier Delivery Escalation Email Outlook
Draft an escalation email to [Supplier Name] regarding repeated late deliveries. Reference the last 3 POs that were delivered late: [PO numbers and dates]. Note the impact on our production schedule and the financial cost of downtime. Request a formal corrective action plan within 5 business days. Cc our procurement manager. Firm but professional — we want to maintain the relationship while demanding accountability. Under 200 words.
⭐ Demand Forecast vs. Actuals Analysis Excel
Compare our demand forecast to actual shipments for [time period] using the data in this spreadsheet. Calculate forecast accuracy (MAPE) by product line and by region. Identify the top 5 SKUs where we consistently over-forecast and the top 5 where we under-forecast. Summarize patterns — is seasonality being captured? Are new product launches throwing off accuracy? Write a one-page findings summary with a recommendations section.
⭐ Warehouse Capacity Planning Brief Word
Create a warehouse capacity planning brief for our [facility name] distribution center. Based on the data in this spreadsheet, show current utilization by zone, projected inbound volume for the next 8 weeks, and peak capacity risk dates. Recommend actions if we're projected to exceed 90% capacity — overflow options, shipment timing adjustments, or SKU rationalization. Format as a 1-page executive brief with a capacity utilization chart.
⭐ Freight Cost Analysis Excel
Analyze our freight spend data in this spreadsheet for [time period]. Break down costs by: mode (TL, LTL, intermodal, parcel), lane (origin-destination), carrier, and customer. Calculate cost per case shipped and compare against our budget. Identify the top 5 lanes by total spend and flag any where cost per mile is significantly above benchmark. Recommend 3 opportunities to reduce freight costs. Include summary charts.
⭐ S&OP Meeting Presentation PowerPoint
Build a Sales & Operations Planning presentation for our monthly S&OP meeting. Include slides for: Demand Plan Summary (forecast vs. prior month), Supply Plan and Production Schedule, Inventory Position and Days on Hand, Key Risks (supply disruptions, demand swings, capacity constraints), New Product Launch Timeline, and Decisions Required. Pull data from the attached spreadsheets. Executive audience, visual-heavy with charts and tables, minimal bullets.
⭐ Inbound Receiving SOP Word
Write a Standard Operating Procedure for inbound receiving at our [facility] warehouse. Include steps for: trailer check-in and dock assignment, unloading procedures, quantity verification vs. ASN/PO, quality inspection checkpoints, damage documentation process, Oracle Fusion receiving transaction entry, putaway rules by product type, and exception handling for shortages or overages. Clear, step-by-step format that a new warehouse associate can follow.
⭐ Product Launch Announcement Outlook
Draft an internal announcement email for the launch of our new [product name/line]. Include: what the product is, why we're launching it (market opportunity), key selling points, target customer channels, availability date, and what employees should know if customers ask about it. Tone should be exciting and proud — this is a big deal for Niagara. Include a subject line that grabs attention. Under 250 words.
⭐ Social Media Content Calendar Excel
Create a 2-week social media content calendar for Niagara's corporate LinkedIn page. Theme this batch around [topic — e.g., sustainability, innovation, company culture, community involvement]. For each post, include: Date, Platform, Content Type (text/image/video), Draft Copy (under 150 words each), Suggested Hashtags, and Call to Action. Mix educational posts, employee spotlights, and brand storytelling. Professional but human tone that reflects Niagara's values.
⭐ Press Release Draft Word
Write a press release announcing [news — e.g., new facility opening, sustainability milestone, partnership]. Follow standard press release format: headline, dateline, lead paragraph (who/what/when/where/why), supporting details with a quote from our CEO or SVP, company boilerplate paragraph, and media contact information placeholder. AP Style, professional tone. Keep it to one page.
⭐ Event Marketing Email Sequence Outlook
Create a 3-email sequence for our upcoming [event — e.g., trade show, customer appreciation event, internal town hall]. Email 1: Save the Date (4 weeks out) with key details and excitement builder. Email 2: Full Details + Registration (2 weeks out) with agenda highlights and speaker previews. Email 3: Last Chance Reminder (3 days out) with urgency and a final CTA. Each email under 200 words. Energetic, professional tone.
⭐ Internal Newsletter Content Word
Draft this month's internal employee newsletter. Include sections for: A Message from Leadership (placeholder for exec quote), Company Wins This Month, Employee Spotlight (interview-style Q&A template), Upcoming Events & Dates, Wellness/Benefits Reminder, and a Fun Fact or Did You Know. Warm, engaging tone that makes employees feel connected to the bigger picture. Format in a clean, scannable layout with headers and short paragraphs.
⭐ Brand Messaging One-Pager Word
Create a brand messaging one-pager that our sales and marketing teams can reference. Include: Niagara's elevator pitch (25 words), key brand pillars (3-4 with supporting proof points), differentiators vs. competitors, approved messaging do's and don'ts, and 3 boilerplate descriptions (short/medium/long). This should be the single source of truth for how we talk about Niagara externally. Polished, strategic tone.
⭐ Campaign Performance Report Excel
Analyze the marketing campaign data in this spreadsheet for [campaign name or time period]. Break down performance by channel — email, social, web, events. For each channel, report: impressions/reach, engagement rate, click-through rate, conversions, and cost per acquisition. Compare against our targets and prior period. Summarize findings in a 1-page report with a "What Worked / What Didn't / Next Steps" framework. Include charts.
⭐ Customer Case Study Draft Word
Draft a customer case study featuring [Customer Name]. Structure as: Challenge (what problem the customer faced), Solution (how Niagara helped — specific products, service, partnership approach), Results (quantifiable outcomes — cost savings, volume growth, speed improvement), and a Customer Quote placeholder. Keep it to one page, professional but compelling storytelling tone. This will be used on our website and in sales materials.
🔑 Key Takeaway: There are no wrong prompts — but there are better prompts. The frameworks above give you a repeatable structure to get consistently great results from Copilot. The more specific and structured your prompt, the better the output.
Module 12
Roadmap
~10 min

Wave 3 is the third major release of Microsoft 365 Copilot, announced March 9, 2026. It marks the shift from Copilot as an assistant to Copilot as an autonomous agent — embedded directly into Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Chat. Wave 3 introduces multi-model support, long-running agentic workflows, and enterprise-grade governance at scale.

✓ Frontier Cowork — Long-Running AI WorkflowsAdvanced ~5 min ▼

Built in collaboration with Anthropic, Cowork brings the technology behind Claude Cowork into Microsoft 365. Instead of single-turn prompts, Cowork handles multi-step tasks that run for minutes or hours — coordinating across apps, producing real outputs, and checking in with you along the way.

How It Works: Describe the outcome you want → Cowork turns it into a plan → executes across M365 apps → checks in at clear milestones → you approve changes before they're applied. All within your organization's security and governance framework.
Example Cowork Scenarios
Prepare me for my customer meeting on Thursday. Pull together a competitive comparison in Excel, distill differentiation into a value proposition doc in Word, generate a pitch deck in PowerPoint, and outline milestones and next steps. Review my Outlook calendar for next week. Identify conflicts and low-value meetings, propose changes, add focus blocks for my project deadline, and reschedule anything flexible.
✅ Now Available: Cowork launched on March 30, 2026 and is available through the Frontier program. Niagara is actively evaluating Cowork as part of our Frontier access. It will be included in Microsoft 365 E7 when it launches May 1, 2026 at $99/user/month.

Work IQ is the intelligence layer that makes Copilot understand you, your job, and your company. It's why Copilot delivers better results than standalone AI tools — it's grounded in your actual work context.

Layer What It Does Example
Work Data Ingests emails, files, meetings, chats from M365 Pulls from your last 3 project updates to draft a status report
Memory Learns your style, preferences, habits, and relationships Remembers you prefer bullet points and formal tone for leadership
Inference Connects data + memory to predict next best action Suggests the right agent for your task based on intent
Semantic Graph Links work with people, projects, and timelines Understands your "work chart" — not just your org chart
💡 Why It Matters: Work IQ is what separates M365 Copilot from ChatGPT or standalone AI tools. Those tools know a lot about the world — but nothing about your work. Work IQ gives Copilot the context of your organization, so outputs are relevant, accurate, and grounded in real data.

M365 Copilot is now model-diverse by design. Instead of relying on a single AI model, Copilot routes tasks to the best model for the job — or lets you choose manually.

Model Provider Best For
GPT-5.3 Instant OpenAI Fast everyday responses, quick lookups, lightweight tasks
GPT-5.4 Thinking OpenAI Deep reasoning, complex multi-step analysis, advanced research
Claude Anthropic Nuanced writing, long documents, research, agentic tasks
Custom Models Azure AI Foundry Organization-specific fine-tuned models
🔑 Where to Find It: In Chat, click the model selector to choose between available models. Claude is now available across the full Chat experience (not just Researcher and Excel). In Excel, you can switch between OpenAI and Anthropic reasoning models. Copilot also routes automatically — fast models for basic tasks, reasoning models for complex ones.

Agent 365 is the central control plane for managing AI agents across your organization. As agents scale — IDC predicts 1.3 billion agents in circulation by 2028 — governance becomes critical.

Capability What It Does
Agent Registry Catalog of all agents deployed across your organization
Observability Dashboards showing how agents operate, their behavior and performance
Risk Signals Identifies potential risks and anomalies in agent behavior
Security Policies Templates to enforce compliance and security guardrails
Audit Trail Full logging of agent actions for compliance and review
⚡ Availability: Agent 365 becomes generally available May 1, 2026 at $15/user/month. In just two months of preview, tens of millions of agents have already appeared in the Agent 365 Registry. Microsoft internally monitors over 500,000 agents through the platform.
March 9, 2026
Wave 3 Announced
Agentic Copilot in Word, Excel, PowerPoint & Outlook. Chat-first creation. Cowork research preview. Claude available in Chat via Frontier program.
March 2026 ✅
Agentic Copilot Now Core
What was called "Agent Mode" is now just how Copilot works natively in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Word and Excel GA on all platforms. PowerPoint rolling out. Claude available across full Chat. GPT-5.4 Thinking and GPT-5.3 Instant models live. Video Recap for meetings launched.
March 30, 2026 ✅
Cowork — Now Available via Frontier
Multi-step, long-running workflows now live for Frontier customers. Built with Anthropic's Claude Cowork technology. Organizations like Capital Group already report value from planning, scheduling, creating deliverables, and preparing for executive reviews.
April 1, 2026
Agent 365 Pricing Published
Pricing details for Agent 365 published ahead of general availability. $15/user/month as standalone add-on.
May 1, 2026
Agent 365 GA + Microsoft 365 E7 Launch
Agent 365 becomes generally available. Microsoft 365 E7 "The Frontier Suite" launches at $99/user/month — bundles E5 + Copilot + Agent 365 + Entra Suite + advanced Defender, Intune, and Purview security.
Ongoing
Continuous Innovation
Wave 3 is not a single release — Microsoft has committed to continuous innovation with new capabilities shipping regularly. PowerPoint and Outlook agentic features continue rolling out through mid-2026.

Microsoft 365 E7 bundles everything into one enterprise AI platform — productivity, AI, identity, and security.

Component Standalone Price Included in E7
Microsoft 365 E5 $60/user/mo ✅
Microsoft 365 Copilot $30/user/mo ✅
Agent 365 $15/user/mo ✅
Microsoft Entra Suite $12/user/mo ✅
Advanced Defender, Intune, Purview Included in above ✅
A La Carte Total $117/user/mo
E7 Bundle Price $99/user/mo
💡 Bottom Line: E7 saves ~$18/user/month vs. buying individually. For a 1,000-person deployment, that's $216,000/year in savings while getting the full AI + security stack.
🔑 Key Takeaway: Wave 3 represents a fundamental shift — from AI that answers questions to AI that gets work done. The combination of agentic capabilities in every Office app, Cowork for complex workflows, multi-model intelligence, and Agent 365 governance means organizations can scale AI from experimentation to enterprise-wide value. The question is no longer "should we use AI?" — it's "how fast can we deploy it responsibly?"
© Niagara Bottling, LLC. All rights reserved.
M365 Copilot Masterclass · Hands-On Workshop Guide · Internal Use Only
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Microsoft 365, Copilot, Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and related logos are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. This training guide is independently created for internal employee enablement and is not endorsed by or affiliated with Microsoft.
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Challenge Mode: New Beverage Launch
Complete a multi-step scenario using Copilot across 6 apps