How to Use Copilot in Outlook

This guide will explain how to use Microsoft Copilot in Outlook, including drafting, summarising, and editing.

How to Use Copilot in Outlook to Draft an Email

One of the most useful functions of Microsoft Copilot in Outlook, is its ability to quickly write first drafts of emails, so that you can focus on getting the tone right, rather than typing out all the pleasantries. Here's how to do it.

1. Open Outlook and select the New email icon in the top-left.

   

2. Select the Copilot ribbon icon in the top-right.

   

3. Click Draft with Copilot.

   

4. Write in the prompt box what you want the email to be about. Include any relevant information you think Copilot would need to write it effectively, or keep it vague to see what the AI can come up with.

   

5. Make any necessary changes to the email text yourself, or you can use the prompt box to ask Copilot to redraft it for you with additional information or parameters.

   Select Regenerate to get a whole new email based on your initial prompt. Select Discard to throw it out and start again.

   If you're happy with the end result, select Keep it to retain that draft of the email. You can then make any further changes you wish yourself.
   

   

How to Edit Emails With Copilot in Outlook

1. Open an existing email or draft that you want Copilot to edit with you. You can write out an extensive email (or use the Copilot draft to get you started), or you can merely state your aims for the message.

2. Select the Copilot ribbon button in the top-right of the window, then select Coaching by Copilot.

   

3. Wait for Copilot to finish its analysis, and then consider its suggestions when it comes to the next draft of your email.

   

How to Summarize an Email in Outlook With Copilot

Summarizing an email chain can be a great way to remind yourself what you were talking about, or if you were brought into an email chain later in its life, you can use summarize with Copilot to quickly get yourself up to speed. Here's how to do it.

1. Open an email or email chain that you want to summarise.

2. At the top of the screen, select Summary with Copilot.

   

3. Wait a moment, and Copilot will create a summary of your email or email chain, helping you get up to speed quickly on its contents and your next steps.

   

For further tips on making the most out of Microsoft Copilot, check out our Copilot guide, here.

How to Get Copilot in Outlook

To be able to access Microsoft Copilot in Outlook, you need to have a subscription to the Copilot Pro Plan.

That membership will give you the ability to use Copilot in the online, free versions of Microsoft 365 Office applications, including Outlook. To use the offline version, you'll also need a subscription to Microsoft 365.

Both of these plans offer free trials if you're not sure you want to sign up yet.