3 Essential Features You Can't Ignore in Microsoft 365 Copilot - Make Tech Easier

Microsoft has introduced the Microsoft 365 Copilot app, seamlessly integrated into Windows laptops and PCs. This app serves as a powerful blend of advanced search capabilities, generative AI, and a central hub for Office and Teams collaboration. Here’s how to maximize your productivity with Microsoft 365 Copilot.

Table of Contents

• AI-Enhanced Office App Replacement
• Seamless Collaboration with Teams, OneNote, and OneDrive
• Merging Multiple Office Files for New Document Creation

AI-Enhanced Office App Replacement

Starting in March 2025, Microsoft 365 Copilot will officially take over from the traditional Office app on Windows systems. This change applies whether you have a perpetual Office license or a Microsoft 365 subscription, making it the sole Office hub. Unlike the free Copilot app in Windows 11, this version offers much more.

The old Office app allowed access to your Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents if you knew the file name. In contrast, Microsoft 365 Copilot enhances this with deep search and AI insights, integrating your apps, files, and templates. It also allows direct app installation from within the app. For frequent Office users, pinning this app to your taskbar is advisable due to its organized interface.

You can search for documents right from the Microsoft 365 Copilot app’s home screen. For a more detailed exploration, navigate to the My Content section, which offers a comprehensive view of your Word, Excel, PowerPoint files, and Outlook email attachments, sorted by date for easy access.

To find specific files, use the Search my files feature and filter by document type. This app supports a range of file extensions including PDF, DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX, enabling quick access to any document on your PC.

Related: Explore at least 7 ways to use Microsoft Office for free.

Seamless Collaboration with Teams, OneNote, and OneDrive

Beyond being an Office hub, Microsoft 365 Copilot is a versatile collaboration tool, linking you to OneDrive, OneNote, and Teams. From setting up online meetings to accessing team storage or creating Sticky apps in Windows, everything can be managed within this unified app.

The good news is that these collaboration features are available at no cost, without the need for a Microsoft 365 subscription. However, opting out of a subscription means missing out on some advanced features, as explained later.

Merging Multiple Office Files for New Document Creation

Microsoft 365 Copilot introduces pioneering AI-driven document integration, allowing you to combine multiple documents into a completely new one, significantly saving time and effort. It also assists in summarizing long documents, rewriting drafts, and transcribing audio through interactive chats with Copilot.

Consider the tedious task of analyzing annual reports, PowerPoint presentations, and Excel spreadsheets together. Copilot simplifies this by generating an initial draft, which you can then refine. Each Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file features a Reference a file option, facilitating the integration of other Office files.

However, there's a caveat: to utilize Copilot for combining documents, a Microsoft 365 subscription is required. While some users may hesitate due to the availability of Office alternatives and the rising subscription costs, which no longer include VPN, there are compelling reasons to subscribe. I am particularly excited about the integration of Copilot's AI into Word and Excel. Mastering the use of the AI-powered Microsoft 365 Copilot could transform your Office experience. Moreover, Microsoft plans to roll out additional Copilot-centric features this year, enhancing the app's appeal.

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