Introduction to Microsoft 365 Copilot from Coursera

What if you could boost your efficiency by 40%, enhance your creativity by 70%, and significantly save time in your daily tasks? 'Introduction to O365 Copilot,' a beginner-level course expertly guided by Rob Rubin, Ph.D., can make this a reality for you. In 1.5 hours, unlock the potential of Microsoft 365 Copilot to revolutionize your work efficiency across the Microsoft 365 Suite. This course is your ticket to boosting productivity, transforming data management, and optimizing business processes through AI's power.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

- Describe the fundamentals of 365 Copilot.

- Access and navigate the 365 Copilot platform effectively.

- Integrate 365 Copilot seamlessly with Microsoft 365 Suite.

- Demonstrate prompt engineering for utilizing essential features of 365 Copilot.

You will not just learn about Copilot's capabilities but will be ready to apply these insights practically, ensuring an immediate improvement in workflow and collaboration within the Microsoft ecosystem. To be successful in this course, you should use the Office 365 application moderately and have made occasional usage of ChatGPT or Bing.

Join us to transform how you work with Microsoft 365 Copilot, leveraging AI to make your work life not only more productive but also more creative and fulfilling.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to O365 Copilot

Upon completing this course, you will increase productivity with Microsoft 365 Copilot, fundamentally change the way you work within Microsoft's applications, leverage AI to optimize your workflow, make everyday tasks more efficient and enjoyable, and increase your focus time.

Lesson 1: Unlocking AI With Copilot in Microsoft 365

In this lesson, you will learn how Microsoft 365 Copilot leverages AI to enhance your productivity in each app in the suite and conceptualize the practical implications of the underlying architecture.

Lesson 2: Configuring Microsoft O365 Copilot for Individual and Team Productivity

This lesson will provide a basic guide to configuring Microsoft O365 Copilot, with a focus on tailoring the setup for individual and team productivity. You will identify the requirements for individual usage, such as license prerequisites and channel requirements. For team usage, the lesson will cover identity and access management, emphasizing the importance of permissions and data security. We will demonstrate how to provide context for Copilot, through reference files in Word, and templates in PowerPoint. By the end of the lesson, learners will be equipped to configure Copilot effectively for your specific individual and team context.

Lesson 3: How to Use Copilot Effectively

The lesson will guide you through practical examples, demonstrating how to seamlessly integrate Copilot 365 into daily tasks—specifically, drafting compelling documents in Word, creating impactful PowerPoint presentations, and conducting insightful data analysis. The lesson will enable you to use the full capabilities of the basic applications without struggling to find the right commands or help information. You will become much more effective in your use of the individual tools. The lesson will also emphasize the strategic advantage gained by mastering these tools, enabling you to elevate your professional documents and presentations to new heights of clarity.

Lesson 4: Mastering Copilot for Workflow and Collaboration

In this lesson, you will gain the ability to leverage Copilot 365's advanced features to streamline your workflow. You will learn to draft documents in Word by integrating information from emails and data files, create engaging PowerPoint presentations, and utilize Excel to analyze data and extract key insights. This skill set will empower you to produce high-quality, data-driven documents and presentations efficiently, thereby improving your ability to communicate complex information clearly and persuasively.

Lesson 5: Prompt Engineering with O365 Copilot

This lesson focuses on the foundational aspects of crafting effective prompts for Office 365 Copilot, starting with defining clear objectives for each task. You will gain insights into the iterative process of refining prompts to achieve satisfactory outputs. You will formulate the structure of a prompt, and apply the principles to create and refine effective prompts. Through practical demonstrations and iterative feedback loops, you will navigate the subtleties of prompt engineering, and improve your productivity with Copilot in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Introduces O365 Copilot's foundational AI concepts to beginners

Led by instructors recognized for their work in Microsoft 365 and AI

Suitable for learners who use Office 365 and have basic knowledge of ChatGPT

Provides practical examples for integrating Copilot into daily tasks

Guidance on prompt engineering techniques to maximize Copilot effectiveness

May require learners to obtain software subscriptions or licenses for optimal use

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Microsoft 365 Copilot with these activities:

Practice typing

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Improve typing speed and accuracy to increase productivity in using Microsoft 365.

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Take a typing test to assess your current speed and accuracy.
Practice typing regularly using online typing websites or software.
Set goals for improving your typing speed and accuracy.

Create and manage email folders

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Organize and prioritize emails effectively using Outlook's folder system.

Browse courses on Email Management

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Create a set of folders to categorize different types of emails.
Set up rules to automatically sort incoming emails into appropriate folders.
Practice using search filters and flags to find and manage emails efficiently.

Learn keyboard shortcuts

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Master essential keyboard shortcuts to navigate and use Microsoft 365 applications efficiently.

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Explore online resources or tutorials that provide a comprehensive list of Microsoft 365 keyboard shortcuts.
Practice using the shortcuts in real-time while working on Microsoft 365 applications.
Create a cheat sheet or reference guide for quick access to frequently used shortcuts.

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Collaborate on documents using Word

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Enhance collaboration and document management by utilizing Word's co-authoring and commenting features.

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Create a new document and invite others to collaborate.
Use the commenting feature to provide feedback and track changes.
Practice resolving comments and merging changes from multiple collaborators.

Utilize advanced Excel functions

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Master advanced Excel functions to enhance data analysis and automation.

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Explore and learn about different types of advanced Excel functions.
Practice using functions to solve complex data analysis problems.
Create custom formulas and functions to automate repetitive tasks.

Create a presentation on Copilot's benefits

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Solidify understanding of Copilot's capabilities by creating a presentation that showcases its benefits.

Browse courses on Microsoft 365

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Research and gather information about Copilot's features and advantages.
Design and create a visually engaging presentation using PowerPoint.
Practice presenting your findings and demonstrate Copilot's impact on productivity.

Participate in a Microsoft 365 challenge

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Test and refine your Microsoft 365 skills by participating in online challenges or competitions.

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Identify and register for relevant Microsoft 365 challenges or competitions.
Practice using Copilot and other Microsoft 365 tools to complete the challenges.
Submit your solutions and compete against other participants.
Review your performance and identify areas for improvement.

Contribute to open-source Microsoft 365 projects

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Deepen understanding and gain practical experience by contributing to open-source projects related to Microsoft 365.

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Identify open-source Microsoft 365 projects on platforms like GitHub.
Review the project documentation and identify areas where you can contribute.
Follow the project's contribution guidelines and make meaningful contributions.
Engage with the project community and provide support to other contributors.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Microsoft 365 Copilot will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Artificial Intelligence Engineer

An Artificial Intelligence Engineer designs and develops artificial intelligence systems. They may work with a variety of artificial intelligence technologies, such as machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision. The Introduction to Microsoft 365 Copilot course can help Artificial Intelligence Engineers learn how to use AI to automate tasks, such as developing and deploying AI models. This can free up time for Artificial Intelligence Engineers to focus on more important tasks, such as developing new AI algorithms and solving complex business problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Artificial Intelligence Engineer

Machine Learning Engineer

A Machine Learning Engineer develops and deploys machine learning models. They may work with a variety of machine learning algorithms and techniques. The Introduction to Microsoft 365 Copilot course can help Machine Learning Engineers learn how to use AI to automate tasks, such as training and evaluating models. This can free up time for Machine Learning Engineers to focus on more important tasks, such as developing new models and solving complex business problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Machine Learning Engineer

Data Analyst

A Data Analyst collects, processes, and analyzes data to identify trends and patterns. This information can be used to make informed decisions about everything from marketing campaigns to product development. The Introduction to Microsoft 365 Copilot course can help Data Analysts learn how to use AI to automate data analysis tasks, such as data cleaning and visualization. This can free up time for Data Analysts to focus on more complex tasks, such as developing predictive models.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Data Scientist

A Data Scientist uses data to solve business problems. They may work with a variety of data sources, such as structured data, unstructured data, and big data. The Introduction to Microsoft 365 Copilot course can help Data Scientists learn how to use AI to automate tasks, such as cleaning data and building models. This can free up time for Data Scientists to focus on more important tasks, such as developing new algorithms and solving complex business problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Data Engineer

A Data Engineer designs and develops data pipelines. They may work with a variety of data sources, such as structured data, unstructured data, and big data. The Introduction to Microsoft 365 Copilot course can help Data Engineers learn how to use AI to automate tasks, such as cleaning data and building data pipelines. This can free up time for Data Engineers to focus on more important tasks, such as developing new data products and solving complex business problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer

Cloud Architect

A Cloud Architect designs and develops cloud computing solutions. They may work with a variety of cloud providers, such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform. The Introduction to Microsoft 365 Copilot course can help Cloud Architects learn how to use AI to automate tasks, such as provisioning and managing cloud resources. This can free up time for Cloud Architects to focus on more important tasks, such as developing new cloud solutions and solving complex business problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Architect

Business Analyst

A Business Analyst analyzes business processes to identify areas for improvement. They may work with stakeholders across the organization to gather requirements and develop solutions. The Introduction to Microsoft 365 Copilot course can help Business Analysts learn how to use AI to automate tasks, such as creating process maps and generating reports. This can free up time for Business Analysts to focus on more strategic tasks, such as developing business cases for new initiatives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Software Developer

A Software Developer designs, develops, and maintains software applications. They may work with a variety of programming languages and technologies. The Introduction to Microsoft 365 Copilot course can help Software Developers learn how to use AI to automate tasks, such as writing code and debugging. This can free up time for Software Developers to focus on more important tasks, such as developing new features and fixing bugs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Management Consultant

A Management Consultant analyzes the business operations of an organization to improve efficiency and profitability. They may work with clients in various industries, such as healthcare, finance, and manufacturing. An understanding of how to use AI to optimize workflow, as taught in the Introduction to Microsoft 365 Copilot course, can be valuable for Management Consultants who want to stay ahead of the curve and deliver innovative solutions to their clients.

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Sales Manager

A Sales Manager is responsible for leading and managing a sales team. They may work with clients to close deals and develop new sales strategies. The Introduction to Microsoft 365 Copilot course can help Sales Managers learn how to use AI to automate tasks, such as creating sales proposals and tracking customer activity. This can free up time for Sales Managers to focus on more important tasks, such as developing sales pipelines and managing customer relationships.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Product Manager

A Product Manager is responsible for the development and launch of new products. They may work with engineers, designers, and marketers to bring products to market. The Introduction to Microsoft 365 Copilot course can help Product Managers learn how to use AI to automate tasks, such as gathering customer feedback and analyzing product data. This can free up time for Product Managers to focus on more important tasks, such as developing product roadmaps and managing customer relationships.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Operations Manager

An Operations Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of a business. They may work with a variety of departments, such as finance, human resources, and supply chain. The Introduction to Microsoft 365 Copilot course can help Operations Managers learn how to use AI to automate tasks, such as creating reports and managing inventory. This can free up time for Operations Managers to focus on more important tasks, such as developing operational plans and managing risks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Financial Analyst

A Financial Analyst analyzes financial data to make investment recommendations. They may work with clients to develop investment portfolios and manage risk. The Introduction to Microsoft 365 Copilot course can help Financial Analysts learn how to use AI to automate tasks, such as creating financial models and analyzing market data. This can free up time for Financial Analysts to focus on more important tasks, such as developing investment strategies and managing client relationships.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Project Manager

A Project Manager plans, executes, and closes projects. They may work on projects of all sizes, from small internal projects to large-scale international projects. The Introduction to Microsoft 365 Copilot course can help Project Managers learn how to use AI to automate tasks, such as creating project schedules and tracking progress. This can free up time for Project Managers to focus on more important tasks, such as managing risks and stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Marketing Manager

A Marketing Manager is responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns. They may work with a variety of channels, such as social media, email, and paid advertising. The Introduction to Microsoft 365 Copilot course can help Marketing Managers learn how to use AI to automate tasks, such as creating marketing content and analyzing campaign performance. This can free up time for Marketing Managers to focus on more important tasks, such as developing brand strategy and managing customer relationships.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager