Microsoft 365 Copilot - Search With Copilot

Regular browser searches are often cluttered with ads constructed to look like legitimate web content, outdated information, and information that while low quality, still displays at the top of your search results because it has been optimized for SEO.  Sometimes it can even take looking through the second, or third, or more pages of search results to find anything useful.

Microsoft Copilot filters out this clutter and instead focuses on trusted, high-quality information sources. You can use Copilot prompts to find information and create new content. You can also upload files and ask Copilot for help with daily tasks like writing and editing documents, creating presentations, and data analysis.

When using Copilot, do not input any personally identifiable information (PII), FERPA-protected data, or sensitive university data. See how to securely access Copilot.

Searching with Copilot

Copilot filters out clutter and focuses on trusted, high-quality information sources. To see this for yourself, try doing the same search in your favorite search engine and in Copilot. Make sure to sign into Copilot with your UWSP account for even more customized results and increased security.

For example:

• Try both a search engine and Copilot search for, "how to formally address an email." Compare the results.
• You can even ask Copilot to, "Do a side-by-side comparison example of Copilot vs. browser search on how to formally address an email."

Copilot is really good at finding and generating useful information based on your prompts. Here are other examples of prompts Copilot can easily help with:

• Create a gluten-free menu for university dining.
• What are the most effective student recruitment strategies by discipline?
• What are the steps needed to organize a virtual conference?
• Create an optimal seating arrangement for 80 people using round tables in a staggered arrangement with six people each and a podium at the front for a room with 3000 square feet.

Copilot Search Basics

To learn more about how Copilot works let's submit the prompt, "Create a gluten-free menu for university dining".

Once you submit your prompt to Copilot:

1. Copilot first repeats the prompt above the search box for reference, followed by its response beginning with a brief description of the detail that follows. Here, the description is followed by a detailed gluten-free menu for each meal of the day, plus snacks and other refinements. Depending on the prompt, Copilot's response may take a few moments or longer to complete.
    
2. At the end of its response, Copilot suggests additional follow-up prompts. For example, at the end of the menu it created, it asks if you would like a printable menu or if there are other dietary restrictions you may wish to include. You can type a follow-up prompt in Copilot's search, or select from one of the suggested prompts at the top of the search box. Your follow-up prompts are answered in context with the topic of your initial prompt.
    
3. When you entered your initial prompt, you may have noticed at the left that a Conversation was added. A Conversation is named after your initial prompt and contains all prompts you submit for the current chat topic. Your Copilot Conversations display at the left. This allows you to select a previous conversation whenever needed for reference or even continue where you left off.
    
4. To start a new Conversation with a prompt for a different topic, click the blue Start a new chat icon at the top-right corner of Copilot.

Use Copilot to Write Emails and Documents

Reminder: To start a new Conversation with a prompt for a different topic, click the blue Start a new chat icon at the top-right corner of Copilot.

If you dread crafting emails and documents Copilot can quickly do this work for you. All you need to do is copy and paste Copilot's response. You can even edit if needed.

Try it Yourself

To have Copilot create an email for you, copy and paste the following prompt (or your own prompt) into Copilot's search and press Enter:

Copilot will create an informal email for you including an email subject line and a sign off at the end.

If a more formal email is more appropriate for a situation, simply tell Copilot.

Try it Yourself

For an email written in a more formal manner, copy and paste the following prompt (or your own prompt) into Copilot's search and press Enter:

You will see that the tone used by Copilot has changed to fit your new prompt.

Have Copilot Help With Existing Files

Reminder: To start a new Conversation with a prompt​​​​​​​ for a different topic, click the blue Start a new chat icon at the top-right corner of Copilot.

You can upload files to Copilot for help with writing and editing documents, creating presentations, and data analysis. To upload files you can simply drag and drop the file into Copilot's search or click the plus (+) in the search box and select a file location.

Try it Yourself

In Copilot's search, upload (or drag and drop) an Excel file into Copilot's search and include (copy and paste) the following prompt. Press Enter:

A simple prompt will most likely return a more simple report. Providing more guidance in your prompt helps Copilot better understand what you want and what it needs to do.

Example prompt:

Ask Copilot For Help Creating Better Prompts

Reminder: To start a new Conversation with a prompt​​​​​​​ for a different topic, click the blue Start a new chat icon at the top-right corner of Copilot.

You can also ask Copilot for help creating better prompts to submit to help you do your work, or do work for you. Copilot will respond with a variety of prompts you can use to better refine your own Copilot prompts for help with tasks.

Try it Yourself

Copy and paste a following prompt into Copilot's search and press Enter:

• List examples of copilot prompts to create an agenda.
• List examples of copilot prompts to create a PowerPoint presentation on project budget.
• List examples of copilot prompts to generate excel purchasing reports
• List examples of copilot prompts to generate excel budget reports
• List examples of copilot prompts for creating an excel pivot table from budget data.

Ask Copilot About Itself

Copy and paste a following prompt into Copilot's search and press Enter:

• What makes Copilot search better than a regular browser search?
• What file types can Copilot work with?
• How long does it take for Copilot to answer?