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Keith Gibson

This quick "crash course" focuses on how information workers can strategically leverage Microsoft Copilot to enhance productivity, streamline data analysis, and communicate insights effectively. Learners will get started with using Copilot to support data management, accelerate analysis, and facilitate clear communication across tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. We’ll demonstrate how Copilot optimizes workflows by summarizing reports, visualizing complex data, and quickly generating presentations. By the end, you’ll be ready to leverage Copilot to streamline your workflows and share insights effectively.

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This quick "crash course" focuses on how information workers can strategically leverage Microsoft Copilot to enhance productivity, streamline data analysis, and communicate insights effectively. Learners will get started with using Copilot to support data management, accelerate analysis, and facilitate clear communication across tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. We’ll demonstrate how Copilot optimizes workflows by summarizing reports, visualizing complex data, and quickly generating presentations. By the end, you’ll be ready to leverage Copilot to streamline your workflows and share insights effectively.

This course is meant for information workers and data specialists. Information workers who work regularly in Microsoft 365 products can optimize their productivity through Copilot's integration and streamlining functionalities. Data specialists will benefit from this course by discovering how Copilot can be used to automate tasks like compiling data from multiple sources, creating visualizations, and analyzing datasets.

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Syllabus

Microsoft 365 Copilot: Harness AI for Data Management
In this quick "crash course," you’ll learn how to get started with Microsoft Copilot to make working with data faster, easier, and more impactful. We’ll show you how Copilot can boost your skills by helping you organize data, speed up analysis, and communicate clearly. You’ll see how to use Copilot in Word for quick summaries, in Excel to create clear charts and graphs, and in PowerPoint to build polished presentations. By the end, you’ll be ready to leverage Copilot to streamline your workflows and share insights effectively.

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Focuses on leveraging Microsoft Copilot to enhance productivity, which is highly relevant for information workers aiming to optimize their daily tasks
Demonstrates how Copilot optimizes workflows by summarizing reports, which is a core skill for data specialists who need to quickly understand large datasets
Teaches how to use Copilot in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, which are standard tools used by information workers and data specialists in various industries
Covers using Copilot to support data management, accelerate analysis, and facilitate clear communication, which are essential for data-driven decision-making
Requires access to Microsoft 365 products, which may require a subscription and pose a barrier to entry for some learners without institutional access

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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 Microsoft 365 Copilot: Harness AI for Data Management with these activities:
Brush Up on Excel Charting
Reviewing Excel charting skills will help you better leverage Copilot's data visualization capabilities within Excel.
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  • Review different chart types (bar, line, pie, scatter) and their appropriate uses.
  • Practice creating charts from sample datasets.
  • Explore advanced charting features like trendlines and error bars.
Review Basic Statistical Concepts
Refreshing your knowledge of basic statistical concepts will enable you to better understand and interpret Copilot's data analysis outputs.
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  • Review key statistical measures like mean, median, mode, and standard deviation.
  • Understand the basics of hypothesis testing and confidence intervals.
  • Practice applying these concepts to sample datasets.
Follow Copilot Excel Tutorials
Following tutorials will help you learn how to use Copilot to automate tasks like compiling data from multiple sources, creating visualizations, and analyzing datasets.
Show steps
  • Find tutorials on using Copilot for data summarization in Excel.
  • Find tutorials on using Copilot for data visualization in Excel.
  • Practice using Copilot with your own datasets.
Three other activities
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Create a Copilot Demo Presentation
Creating a presentation will help you solidify your understanding of Copilot's capabilities and how to communicate its value to others.
Browse courses on Microsoft 365 Copilot
Show steps
  • Identify a specific use case for Copilot in data management.
  • Create a short presentation showcasing how Copilot can address this use case.
  • Include examples of Copilot's features in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Automate Report Generation with Copilot
Starting a project will allow you to apply your knowledge of Copilot to a real-world problem and further develop your skills.
Browse courses on Microsoft 365 Copilot
Show steps
  • Identify a report generation process that can be automated with Copilot.
  • Use Copilot to automate the process of data extraction, analysis, and report creation.
  • Document the steps involved and the benefits achieved.
Curate a List of Copilot Prompts
Compiling a list of effective prompts will help you and others maximize the value of Copilot.
Browse courses on Microsoft 365 Copilot
Show steps
  • Experiment with different prompts for various data management tasks.
  • Document the prompts that yield the best results.
  • Organize the prompts by category (e.g., data summarization, visualization, analysis).

Career center

Learners who complete Microsoft 365 Copilot: Harness AI for Data Management will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Data Analyst
A Data Analyst is responsible for interpreting data, analyzing results, and providing ongoing reports to stakeholders. This role requires the ability to use data analysis tools to clean data, discover patterns, and draw conclusions. The course is directly relevant to the daily tasks of a Data Analyst because it teaches how Copilot can be used to facilitate data management, accelerate analysis, and generate visualizations. This is particularly relevant since the course highlights Copilot’s use with tools like Excel which are often used in analyzing data and building reports. A data analyst would benefit from this course by learning how to optimize data workflows and communicate insights more effectively.
Business Intelligence Analyst
A Business Intelligence Analyst leverages data to identify trends and provide insights that drive strategic decision making. This role typically involves analyzing datasets, creating visualizations, and communicating findings to stakeholders. This course directly addresses the analytical components of this work by showing how to accelerate data analysis and create visualizations using Copilot with tools like Excel. The course teaches how to clearly communicate insights using presentation tools like PowerPoint, which are often used to present findings to business units. This course will especially benefit someone in this role by demonstrating how Copilot can help organize data and summarize reports, which are common tasks for a Business Intelligence Analyst.
Report Writer
A Report Writer is responsible for creating written reports based on data and research. This role requires strong skills in data organization, analysis, and communication. This course is directly relevant because it teaches how to use Copilot to summarize reports, organize data, and speed up analysis. The course also shows how to use Copilot for communicating insights using presentation tools like PowerPoint, which are useful for a report writer to prepare findings. A Report Writer would find this course helpful to optimize workflows and communicate more effectively.
Sales Analyst
A Sales Analyst is responsible for tracking sales data, analyzing trends, and providing insights to improve sales performance. This role requires the ability to manage data, create reports, and present findings to sales teams. This course would be useful because it shows how Copilot can optimize data workflows by summarizing reports and visualizing data with tools like Excel. This will help a Sales Analyst more efficiently compile data and create presentations. The skills taught in this course are applicable to daily tasks of a sales analyst.
Data Visualization Specialist
A Data Visualization Specialist focuses on creating visual representations of data to make it easier to understand and interpret. This role requires a strong understanding of data analysis and presentation tools. Since this course highlights how to use Copilot to create visualizations, especially with tools like Excel, it directly addresses the core responsibilities of a Data Visualization Specialist. The course teaches how to summarize reports, visualize data, and quickly generate presentations to demonstrate those insights. A Data Visualization Specialist will find this course useful in improving workflows and making communication more effective.
Operations Analyst
An Operations Analyst analyzes operational data to identify areas for improvement and increase efficiency. This role requires working with data, creating reports, and communicating operational insights. This course is applicable because it demonstrates how Copilot can be used to manage data, speed up analysis, and create clear charts and graphs, all of which are standard tools used by an operations analyst. Since the course also covers how to communicate insights through presentations, it is useful for an operations analyst in sharing findings to stakeholders. This course will improve workflows for an operations analyst.
Information Manager
An Information Manager oversees the organization of information and data assets within an organization. This role requires a strong understanding of data management tools and techniques. Since the course focuses on how to leverage Copilot to enhance data management, it directly addresses the core responsibilities of an Information Manager. The course teaches how to use Copilot to optimize workflows by summarizing reports and visualizing data using tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. This course shows an Information Manager how they can improve productivity through the integration and streamlining functionalities of Copilot.
Marketing Analyst
A Marketing Analyst analyzes marketing data to measure the effectiveness of campaigns and to provide insights on consumer behavior. This role requires skills in data analysis, report writing, and communication. The course provides instruction on using Copilot to manage and analyze data, and then to generate reports and visualizations, which are all daily tasks for a marketing analyst. This course shows how Copilot can be leveraged to optimize workflows by summarizing reports and communicating insights effectively. A Marketing Analyst will find this course valuable in developing strategies based on data analysis.
Financial Analyst
A Financial Analyst analyzes financial data, develops financial models, and provides recommendations to management. This role requires strong data analysis skills and the ability to communicate complex financial information. This course is helpful because it demonstrates how Copilot can enhance data analysis using Excel, a tool commonly used by Financial Analysts to manage and interpret financial information. The course also shows how to make use of Copilot to summarize reports and develop clear presentations, which would be invaluable in communicating complex insights. A Financial Analyst could use this course to optimize financial data workflows.
Market Research Analyst
A Market Research Analyst studies market conditions to examine potential sales of a product or service. This role uses data analysis to understand consumer behavior, trends, and competitive landscapes. This course may be useful as it introduces the use of Copilot to improve data analysis, particularly in the context of creating data visualizations and generating reports. These are tasks a market research analyst regularly undertakes to communicate insights. The course specifically addresses how information workers can leverage Copilot to streamline data analysis and communicate insights effectively, which are valuable skills for a Market Research Analyst.
Research Associate
A Research Associate works alongside researchers to collect, organize, and analyze data. This role requires working with diverse datasets and communicating findings clearly. This course may be useful for a research associate because it demonstrates how Copilot can help manage and analyze data, especially by speeding up analysis with tools like Excel. The course also teaches how to generate presentations, which would be helpful for the research associate to share findings. Learning to use Copilot to streamline workflows and share insights may be especially valuable to someone in this role.
Technical Writer
A Technical Writer creates documentation and instructional materials for technical products and services. This role demands clear and concise communication of complex information, often involving data and analysis. This course may benefit a technical writer because it showcases how to use Copilot to streamline data analysis, summarize reports, and generate presentations. These would be helpful for integrating findings into documentation for technical audiences. The course’s demonstration of Copilot’s functionalities within Microsoft 365 tools could enable a Technical Writer to optimize their workflows.
Management Consultant
A Management Consultant provides strategic advice to organizations to improve performance and efficiency. This role often involves analyzing data, creating reports, and presenting findings to clients. This course shows how Copilot can be leveraged to organize data, accelerate analysis, and communicate insights effectively via tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. A management consultant will find this helpful with their many responsibilities in preparing and communicating data driven reports. This course may be useful for improving efficiency by using Copilot to streamline data workflows.
Project Manager
A Project Manager is responsible for planning, executing, and closing a project. This role requires managing data, creating reports, and communicating updates effectively to a team. This course may be useful because it provides instruction on using Copilot to organize data, summarize reports, and generate presentations. This will help in managing projects by making it easier to track progress and communicate findings to stakeholders. This course can be used by a Project Manager to streamline project data workflows and facilitate effective communication.
Information Architect
An Information Architect designs and structures information systems to ensure they are easy to use and understand for users. This role may involve using data to inform their design decisions. This course may be useful for an Information Architect because it teaches how information workers can leverage Copilot to optimize workflows by using tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The course also covers how to use Copilot to summarize reports and visualize complex data. An Information Architect will find this course helpful with improving data workflows.

Reading list

We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.
Provides a simple and easy-to-follow guide to Microsoft 365 Copilot. It is written by Peter Weverka, a technology writer who has extensive experience in explaining complex topics in a clear and concise way.
Provides a technical deep dive into Microsoft 365 Copilot, covering its architecture, components, and configuration options. It is written by Ben Armstrong, an IT pro who has extensive experience in deploying and managing Microsoft 365 Copilot in enterprise environments.
Provides a strategic guide to using Microsoft 365 Copilot to drive digital transformation in businesses. It is written by two business leaders, Mark P. Miller and Rebecca Wettemann, who have extensive experience in helping organizations use technology to achieve their business goals.
Provides a comprehensive overview of Microsoft 365 Copilot, including its features, benefits, and best practices for use. It is written by Ed Bott, a technology journalist who has extensive experience in covering Microsoft products and services.
Provides a hands-on guide to building custom solutions with Microsoft 365 Copilot. It is written by Jason Beres, a developer who has extensive experience in developing solutions for Microsoft 365 Copilot.
Serves as a gentle introduction to data management, covering the fundamentals of data collection, storage, organization, and analysis. It is appropriate for beginners and those seeking a broad understanding of data management.
This practical guide focuses on data management in the cloud, covering topics such as cloud data storage, data migration, and data security. It is recommended for IT professionals and architects responsible for designing and implementing cloud data solutions.
Provides a framework for assessing and improving data management maturity, covering topics such as data governance, data quality, and data architecture. It is suitable for data management professionals and leaders seeking to enhance their organization's data management capabilities.
Provides a business-oriented introduction to data science, covering topics such as data mining, data visualization, and predictive analytics. It is recommended for business professionals and managers seeking to understand and leverage data for decision-making.
Focuses on data management for analytics, covering topics such as data engineering with Hadoop and Spark, and NoSQL database management. It is suitable for data engineers and analysts seeking to leverage big data technologies for data-driven decision-making.
This acclaimed book provides a deep dive into the design and architecture of data-intensive applications, covering topics such as data modeling, data storage, and data processing. It is recommended for software architects, data engineers, and anyone seeking to build scalable and efficient data-driven applications.
This expert-level book provides insights into data governance, metadata management, and data integration, covering topics such as data quality, data security, and data sharing. It is recommended for data management professionals and leaders seeking to enhance their skills and understanding.
A classic text in the field of data mining, this book provides a comprehensive overview of techniques and algorithms used for extracting knowledge from large datasets. Written by leading experts in the field, it valuable resource for students and researchers.
Provides a comprehensive overview of statistical methods for data analysis, covering topics such as probability distributions, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis. Written by a leading expert in the field, it valuable resource for students and practitioners in various fields.
A comprehensive introduction to data analysis using R, this book covers a wide range of topics, including data manipulation, visualization, and statistical modeling. Written by leading experts in the field, it valuable resource for students and practitioners.
This online book provides a comprehensive overview of machine learning concepts and techniques. Written by a leading expert in the field, it valuable resource for students and practitioners who want to gain a deep understanding of machine learning.
An authoritative text on statistical learning, this book covers a wide range of topics, including linear and nonlinear regression, classification, unsupervised learning, and model selection. It comprehensive resource for students and practitioners in various fields.
A hands-on guide to data analysis using Python, this book covers a wide range of topics, including data cleaning, transformation, visualization, and modeling. Written by the creator of Pandas, it practical resource for students and professionals in various fields.
An excellent overview of Bayesian statistics, this book provides a comprehensive introduction to the theory and practice of Bayesian data analysis. The focus on practical applications and real-life examples makes it a great choice for students and practitioners alike.

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