At its Wave 2 event today, Microsoft showcased how its integrating Copilot deeper into its core Microsoft 365 apps—Excel, PowerPoint, Word, OneDrive, Outlook, and Teams. Here is a breakdown of the new AI-powered features that are now generally available in the various apps:
Excel Gets Way Smarter with Python
In Excel, Copilot can now work with unformatted data and supports complex functions like XLOOKUP and SUMIF, conditional formatting, and dynamic visualizations such as charts and PivotTables. A standout addition is the integration of Python, which allows you to conduct advanced data analyses using only natural language.
PowerPoint Enhancements
Narrative builder is now generally available in Powerpoint, helping users rapidly generate a presentation outline and draft. Soon, you’ll be able to add files to the outline to ground your topics. And with Brand Manager, it will ensure that presentations adhere to company content and style guide. In the coming months, Copilot will be able to pull in company-approved templates and images from SharePoint Organization Asset Library.
Teams Integration
Copilot in Teams is now able to analyze both meeting transcripts and chat discussions to provide comprehensive insights. You can inquire about missed questions during meetings, and Copilot will scan both spoken and written contributions to ensure that no critical input goes unaddressed.
Outlook’s New Prioritization Features
Outlook’s Copilot introduces the “Prioritize my inbox” feature. This tool analyzes incoming emails based on content and user context, generating concise summaries and highlighting key insights. You will soon have the ability to teach Copilot specific topics and keywords to ensure that crucial emails are prioritized, enhancing focus and productivity.
AI Writing Partner in Word
In Word, Copilot can quickly reference not only web data and work data like Word, PowerPoint, PDFs, and encrypted documents but also emails and meetings. directly into documents. This capability will help streamline the writing process by allowing users to reference essential information without disrupting their workflow. You can also collaborate with Copilot inline for a much more streamlined experience, making it easier to co-create content in real time.
OneDrive’s Document Management
Lastly, Copilot in OneDrive helps with finding content across your files. You can easily summarize and compare multiple files without needing to open them. This feature significantly reduces the time spent searching for information, enabling users to focus on productivity rather than document management.
Overall, Microsoft's sweeping integration of Copilot across its core apps reinforces the company's position as a leader in AI-powered productivity tools. By embedding advanced AI capabilities directly into the software millions already use daily, Microsoft is making a compelling case for enterprises to adopt or stick with its ecosystem.
Moreover, the tight integration between applications - such as Copilot's ability to pull data from various sources into a Word document - showcases the potential for seamless, AI-driven collaboration across an organization. This holistic strategy could be particularly appealing to large enterprises seeking to unify their digital operations under a single, intelligent platform.