Microsoft 365 Copilot is an AI-powered assistant built into Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and others. It uses large language models (LLMs) and your Microsoft 365 data—such as emails, chats, calendar, and documents—to help you find information, draft content, analyze and visualize data, summarize meetings, create presentations, and more. 

Data Privacy

Microsoft 365 Copilot only uses information you already have access to within the Microsoft 365 environment. Your prompts and Copilot’s responses are not used to train Microsoft’s language models, helping to protect your privacy.

Visit the AI Tools page to learn what types of data are appropriate to use with Microsoft 365 Copilot in an enterprise environment. 

Getting Started

How do I request a Microsoft 365 Copilot license?

To request a license for Microsoft 365 Copilot, start by discussing with your supervisor how Microsoft 365 Copilot could support your daily work. If approved, reach out to your local ETS representative, IT Director, or IT support staff. They will complete the license request form on your behalf.

Is there a cost associated with an Microsoft 365 Copilot license?

The annual cost for a Microsoft 365 Copilot license is $420 per user, with billing beginning each year on September 1. If a license is requested partway through the year, the cost will be prorated and charged to your department. To request a license, please reach out to your ETS representative, IT Director, or local IT support staff.

What applications is Microsoft 365 Copilot integrated with?

Visit the Microsoft 365 Copilot page for the latest information on what applications support Microsoft 365 Copilot.

How do I log into Microsoft 365 Copilot?

In addition to using Microsoft 365 Copilot within supported applications, you can also access it through a browser at https://copilot.cloud.microsoft.com.

Sign in with your HawkID and password. To work with your Microsoft 365 data—such as emails, documents, and calendar—select the "Work" tab at the top of the page. To generate responses based on publicly available web content, choose the "Web" tab instead.

What is the difference between Microsoft Copilot Chat and Microsoft 365 Copilot?
Copilot ChatMicrosoft 365 Copilot
No additional license feeAdditional annual license fee
Enterprise data protection - appropriate for use with data labeled "University Internal".Enterprise data protection - appropriate for use with data labeled "University Internal".
Conversational AI assistant accessed via the webConversational AI assistant that is embedded in Microsoft 365 apps (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, etc.)
Ideal for brainstorming, summarizing, coding, image generation, and Q&AIdeal for drafting documents, analyzing spreadsheets, summarizing emails, Teams meeting notes
Accesses only publicly-available internet data, No access to Microsoft 365 contentWorks with your Microsoft 365 data (email, OneDrive, Teams, etc.)

How can I build and use Copilot Agents?

You can explore the following one-page reference sheets to help you get started with Copilot Agents:

  • Copilot Agents Reference Sheet: Offers a high-level overview of Copilot Agent capabilities and outlines the differences between standard Copilot Agents and Microsoft 365 Copilot Agents–including access levels, available features, and licensing requirements.
  • Microsoft 365 Copilot Agents Reference Sheet: Focuses on advanced features available with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license and provides examples of use cases in Teams, Word Web, PowerPoint Web, and the Copilot website.

These sheets provide guidance on how to create, manage, and share Copilot Agents.

Microsoft 365 Copilot Tips and Tricks

To make the most out of Microsoft 365 Copilot, follow these general tips: 

  • Use “/” to reference people, files, meetings, or emails you have access to. For example "When is my next meeting with /name of person?" and Copilot will pull that information from your calendar for you.
  • Use the “@” symbol to reference Copilot agents in supported chats.
  • Click "see more" or the "Prompt Gallery" icon below the prompt input area to discover suggested prompts tailored to each application.

To explore further, check out the guides below to learn how to use Microsoft 365 Copilot in each Microsoft app:

Teams
Word
Outlook
PowerPoint
Excel

Additional Resources

Need Help?

Need Help?

If you have questions about how to get started or would like some advice on how AI can assist you with work tasks, please contact the AI Support Team. 

We’re here to support your success with AI-powered tools at the University of Iowa!

Email the AI Support Team

AI Resources

For additional information on AI tools and AI guidelines here at the University of Iowa, check out the resources below: