Painful behavior of "slash" ("/") in chat prompts
I know about the /commands (/reset, /help, ...) in Copilot powered applications where hitting "/" triggers auto-completion suggestions. Here we are talking about Copilot chat (Teams or Web app for instance) Each time you hit the "/" key, it pops up a menu inviting you to upload files, preventing you from going on typing until you hit the <esc> key. That's too disruptive. That would be ok if the upload menu what acting like a suggestion -- You may select with arrow keys if you wish, or just go on typing if you just need a "/" in your prompts. Please consider disabling this "feature" or I at least enhancing it so the upload menu is not modal and gets dismissed when you go on typing. Comments positive or negative are welcome, thumbs up too 😉How to start with your Copilot habit
Are you serious about integrating Copilot in your daily flow? But it is hard to stick to it! 🙄 Take a look to these tips. 👇 The trick is to build the Copilot habit A habit, an action that sticks over time. Habits are quite difficult to adopt. One thing is to wish to use Copilot every day. And literally another is to in fact use Copilot every day. At the end of the day, here's the big question: How to get from where you are with Copilot today To where you want to be with Copilot 🎯 1. Pick a fresh start Why? ✅ Fresh starts put you in the right mental state. ✅ They give you permission to reinvent your daily routine. ✅ They help you build on existing habits to adopt new ones. It’s like when the counter resets to 0. It’s like restarting your computer. Suddenly, everything runs more smoothly. 💡 What is a fresh start? September is all about fresh starts. School begins. Summer ends. Fall kicks off. The most popular fresh start is New Years Eve. Fresh starts can be also related to major changes, like moving in to a new apartment. How to use a fresh start? 1️⃣ Set a goal: Think of one area where you want to improve with Copilot. For example, I want to prioritize better so my daily actions align more consistently with my goals. 2️⃣ Choose a fresh start date: Brainstorm upcoming dates that could mark a new chapter with Copilot. How about now the fall kick-off? 🍁 For me, the end of summer signals a new beginning. My fresh start is September 15. 3️⃣ Make it concrete: Write down the new habit you want to build. Good intentions alone won’t create lasting change—they’re easy to forget. By writing your intentions, you are more likely to commit. 2. Formulate your new Copilot habit Behavioral scientists agree on linking a new habit to an existing one makes it easier to adopt. I use James Clear’s Atomic Habits framework to make my habit specific and actionable: “When situation X happens, then I will do Y.” Where X is the trigger, an existing habit already part of your daily flow. Where Y is the new Copilot habit you want to build. Here’s my commitment: 👉 When I open my calendar in the morning, I will use Copilot to identify my top 3 priorities for the day. Here is a simple formular to formulate your new Copilot habit: Formulated habit = your goal + fresh start date + written intentions 3. Make your new habit convenient If Copilot is difficult to access, chances are that you forget to use it. Set you up for success. How? Make it easier for you to use Copilot. Quick access to Copilot is key Currently the quickest way to start chatting with Copilot is pressing Win + C on Windows. At the moment, the easiest way to use M365 Copilot is using the M365 Copilot app on desktop and mobile. Why? The app is pre-installed with Windows. It is pinned to the taskbar by default. It starts when you log in, but minimised. Create the M365 Copilot app shortcut, if you are one of those who prefers to use desktop shortcuts. How? Open the M365 Copilot app >> Click on the ellipses next to your profile pic menu >> Select "Pinning and start" >> Click on "Create desktop shortcut". That's it! Do you have more tips to build your Copilot habit? I would love to hear them all! Hint the comment button and share them 👇
What's difference creating Agent from Copilot page vs from Copilot Studio -> Copilot for M365?
Hello, I am learning about Copilot and was very confused by these two different ways to do it. My understanding is both are "Declarative Agents" which lets the Microsoft 365 Copilot do the most heavy lifting. Method 1. First way is to go to Copilot page and clicking 'Create an Agent' w3 Method 2: Going to Copilot Studio -> Agents -> Copilot for Microsoft 365 -> New Agent (Couldn't find a screenshot) Q1. Anyway, first, I created an Agent using the first Method 1 above, and now I see it on the Copilot page under 'Agents' section. However, when I go to Copilot Studio -> Agents -> Copilot for Microsoft 365, I don't see that Agent there. Is this normal and intended? Q2. Is an Agent created using the Method 1 only available to people who have Copilot license? (as long as they are shared; I see options are only me, anyone in the organization, and specific users in the organization) Q3. Could you please confirm agents created using either way above are both "Declarative Agents"? Sorry for the newbie questions in advance... I took the course MS-4010 and reviewed several posts but still confusing...Rewrite it with Copilot!
Writing is not an easy task, at least not for me. It simply demands time to challenge the complexity of our thought process. Whether you’re drafting a client proposal, refining a team announcement post, or just trying to get rid of the daily pile of emails, the words just don't always come out right the first time. That's where Rewrite with Copilot steps in. This feature, integrated across Microsoft 365 apps, acts like your personal editor — helping you sharpen your message, adjust tone, and even tailor your writing to your audience. It’s not just about fixing grammar. It’s about making your words work. There's a prompt for the most common challenges: Do your colleagues have no time to read a long message? Then select the option "Make it shorter". Or you tried hard, but your message still sounds complicated. Then go for "Simplify". Maybe you need to add more details, then use "Add more detail". Rewrite with Copilot is almost everywhere 🪄 You’ll find “Rewrite with Copilot” in: Outlook: Auto-rewrites, make it shorter or longer, change the tone, and more. Teams: Rewrite or adjust the tone of the message. SharePoint: Edit your text web-part and select "Auto rewrite". Loop: Prompt to Copilot to change the tone, simplify, and make whatever text improvements needed to communicate purposefully in your Loop pages. Edge: Rewrite with Copilot either using the shortcut Alt. + I or selecting your text and clicking on the "Rewrite with Copilot" option of the context menu. Here note that Rewrite with Copilot in Edge is currently not available with your work account, only with personal accounts. That's not all, you can use the feature in MS Forms, Word, PowerPoint, Notepad for Windows, and more! Adoption Tips 1️⃣ AI-generated content may be incorrect. Always verify what Copilot rewrites. 2️⃣ Copilot evolves quickly. If your favorite Microsoft 365 app does not offer the feature yet, it may be different next month. So check regularly for feature updates. 3️⃣ Asking Copilot to rewrite in a language that is not your mother tongue? Try to write sentences that are simple and clear, using straightforward vocabulary, so that the original text does not lead to confusion. Verify the given text with another source. Copy the text and prompt to Copilot: "Help me understand the meaning this text: <Copy your text>" Limitations Copilot might misinterpret your text if the content is ambiguous, grammatically flawed or lacks of context. There could be misunderstandings or inaccuracies for individuals working with "Rewrite" feature if one is working in a language that is not their first language. Rewrite with Copilot is easy to use, be aware that there are small differences from app to app. For example, in MS Teams you access the feature by click on a magic pen icon and not on a Copilot icon. Communication can be challenging. Words don't always align perfectly with our intentions, especially when time is limited. But the good news is, "Rewrite with Copilot" is a great way to support everyday writing processes. Stay curious and give it a try! ***** I write this post in collaboration with sohnash .Quick fixes to boost your Copilot responses
Did Copilot disappoint you recently? Who has never complained about Copilot responses? Myself included. You know that moment when you try to get a good Copilot response, and all you get is vague one? Yep. Been there. It’s Not You, It's not Copilot either, It's Your Prompt People tend to treat Copilot like a search engine, but Copilot isn’t a search engine. I know it feels like it should be—type in your query, get a polished answer. Here's the deal: Copilot (and all other LLMs) work with recognizing patterns and context based on your prompts. Copilot does not retrieve information, but generates answers. Copilot relies on the context and specificity of your prompts to generate useful responses. That means vague, lazy prompts are setting it up to give vague responses. If you want great output, you need great input. So let’s talk about how to give Copilot the kind of prompt it can actually work with. 10 Quick Fixes to Boost Your Copilot Responses Write clear prompts: ❌ “Make it better” → ✅ “Summarize in 3 points” Be specific: ❌ “Write an email” → ✅ “Draft a friendly reminder email for project deadline” Be direct: ❌ “Could you try to…” → ✅ “Generate a bulleted list of main takeaways” Give context: ❌ “Draft an email” → ✅ “Draft a response to the client email /<youremail> to apologyse for the delivery delays” Divide to conquer: ❌ “Write a report” → ✅ “Outline the report in sections: intro, analysis, and conclusion” Choose wisely: ❌ Copilot is not equal Copilot. → ✅ Understand the differences between M365 Copilot Chat and M365 Copilot and learn when to use what. I wrote a post about this topic already, here you can find it: Copilot Chats vsus. M365 Copilot: What's the difference? Try rephrasing: ❌ “Try again” → ✅ “Rephrase the sentence” Sometimes, a small word change makes a big difference. Iterate: Unhappy? ✅ If your plan A did not work, go for plan B. You can start a new chat, adjust your initial prompt, and try again! Include web content when relevant: ✅ Enrich your Copilot responses with web content. Toggle on web content like this: Click on the 3 elipses on the top, right corner of Copilot chat in Work mode. Give it another shot! ✅ LLMs are evolving quickly. What it did not work last month, it may work today! Want Copilot to stop disappointing you? Prompt like you mean it. 💡 Got your own favorite Copilot trick? Share it in the comments below.How To Reference Files Using Copilot In Word By Copy Pasting The URL
First off, I have no idea why what I'm about to type is not published in the existing Copilot in Word training materials produced by Microsoft. Nevertheless, if you are trying to use the pre-fetched files or trying to type in file names and they aren't showing up....here is how to get around all of that. Also, it does require some pre-work in step number 1 - but this is a one time deal. Search for clipboard settings in your Windows settings Tap the windows button on your keyboard and type clipboard...select "clipboard settings" Turn on "Clipboard History" to "On" if it isn't on already Navigate to the location of the file you want to reference (OneDrive/SharePoint) Open the details pane for the file and scroll down to the bottom to the "Path" section and click the icon. This copies the absolute URL (just the straight up path - no garbage included) to the file Repeat as necessary until you have up to 3 file paths copied Go to your Copilot prompt and type what you want to happen with the files you are about to reference from your clipboard (summarize, rewrite, create new file based on.....) Within that same prompt, hold down the windows button and press "V" This will bring up your clipboard history (if you followed the 1st step above correctly) Now you can paste in the URLs of the files you want to reference You will know the files were found/accepted after you hit the space bar as the URL will resolve into a hyperlink with the title of the file 3 files is currently the max you can reference in one prompt Yes this is a bit manual - however I see no other way to reference a file if it doesn't show up in the prefetch window or when you start typing the name of the file. Update! After you go through the steps above, when you come back later....typing out the file name seems to work. I guess there is some caching going on. Good luck and please let us know if this works for you!
