Microsoft has introduced Copilot, an AI assistant integrated into Windows 11 and Microsoft 365 apps such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. If you need help drafting emails, analysing data, or creating presentations, Copilot can speed up those tasks. Here’s a guide to what Copilot does, how to start using it, and some simple steps for beginners.

What is Microsoft Copilot?

Microsoft Copilot is an AI assistant powered by OpenAI's GPT-4 technology. It's integrated directly into Windows 11, Microsoft Edge, Bing, and the Microsoft 365 suite, including popular apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. Instead of switching between apps or searching for help online, Copilot lives right where you work and helps speed up tasks by writing, analysing, summarising, and creating content on the spot.

The free version, available at Copilot.microsoft.com, lets anyone access GPT-4 chat, web search, DALL-E image generation for creative visuals, and document analysis with no charge. This is perfect for trying out AI or handling quick tasks without paying. If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription — which in Australia costs roughly $30 to $45 AUD per month depending on the plan — you unlock premium Copilot features. These include automatic meeting summaries in Teams, advanced data insights in Excel, and deeper integration within Office apps, making it easier to work smarter.

Copilot aims to be easy for beginners while still offering powerful features for professionals. It supports many use cases, from drafting emails and reports to crunching numbers and designing presentations.

It’s particularly handy if you already use Microsoft products for work, study, or personal projects, as it fits seamlessly into your existing workflow.

Microsoft began rolling out Copilot in 2023 and has been adding features focused on productivity and accessibility. By 2026, Copilot will probably be a core part of Windows and Office experiences for millions of users globally, including Australians in various industries.

How to Get Started with Microsoft Copilot in Australia

You don’t need technical skills or complicated setups to start using Copilot. Here’s how you can begin using it today:

  1. Try the free Copilot online: Visit Copilot.microsoft.com and sign in with your Microsoft account. This free option gives you access to GPT-4 chat, web search powered by Bing, and DALL-E for generating images from text prompts. It’s a great way to experiment with AI without any cost or commitment.
  2. Use Copilot on Windows 11: If your PC is running Windows 11, Copilot is already built in. Simply press Win + C or click the Copilot icon on your taskbar to open the assistant. From there, you can ask questions, get summaries, or generate content across your system. Make sure your Windows 11 installation is up to date — Microsoft started including Copilot in the 2023 feature updates and continues refining it.
  3. Microsoft 365 apps: For those with an M365 subscription, Copilot is embedded in apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. You’ll find Copilot options in the ribbon or taskbar within these apps, letting you draft documents, analyse data, create slides, manage your inbox, or summarise meetings without leaving the app. Microsoft 365 subscriptions start at around $10.50 AUD per month for personal use and can go higher for business plans with more features.

That’s basically it—no extra downloads or tricky installations needed. As long as you have a Microsoft account and a compatible device, you’re ready to start using Copilot.

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Step-by-Step Usage for Beginners

Using Copilot in Windows 11

Open Copilot by pressing Win + C. The Copilot sidebar will appear on the right of your screen. You can either type or say what you need. Here are some easy commands to try:

  • "Summarise this document": Open a Word or PDF file, then ask Copilot to summarise its main points. It quickly pulls out key information, saving you from reading the whole thing.
  • "Write a short email about a meeting reschedule": Tell Copilot who you’re writing to and why. It drafts a professional email that you can edit before sending.
  • "Show me the latest news on Australian economy": Copilot uses Bing to fetch recent articles and summarise them for you.

You can also ask for definitions, create lists, or generate ideas — just type your question naturally.

Using Copilot in Microsoft Word

Open Word and look for the Copilot button on the Home ribbon or sidebar. Click it to open the AI panel. Here’s what you can do:

  • Ask Copilot to draft a letter, report, or essay. For example, "Write a 200-word cover letter for a marketing job." It creates text that you can tweak.
  • Summarise a long document or section by selecting the text and asking Copilot to provide a summary.
  • Generate ideas or outlines. If you’re stuck, ask for a list of topics or points to cover.

Copilot can also rewrite or make your text more formal or casual depending on your needs.

Using Copilot in Excel

Excel users can ask Copilot to analyse data and create formulas. For instance:

  • "Create a formula to calculate quarterly sales growth."
  • "Summarise sales trends from this data."
  • "Generate a chart showing profit margins over the last year."

Copilot can do complex calculations and suggest new ways to visualise your data.

Using Copilot in Teams and Outlook

In Teams, Copilot can summarise meetings, extract action items, and draft follow-up messages. For Outlook, it helps write and reply to emails faster with suggested responses and drafts.

For example, after a meeting, ask Copilot to "Summarise decisions and action items." It produces a clear summary you can share with your team.

Tips and Tricks for Getting the Most from Copilot

  • Be specific with your requests: The clearer you are, the better Copilot’s responses. Instead of "Write something about marketing," say "Write a 150-word social media post about our new product launch."
  • Use simple language: Copilot understands natural speech, so just talk or type like you normally would.
  • Check and edit outputs: AI can make mistakes or sound generic, so always review and tweak Copilot’s suggestions before using them.
  • Explore multiple apps: Copilot works differently in each Microsoft app. Spend some time trying it in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams to see what suits your needs best.
  • Keep your software updated: Microsoft regularly rolls out new features and improvements to Copilot, so stay current with Windows and Microsoft 365 updates.

Best Free Alternatives to Microsoft Copilot

If you want to try AI tools without a Microsoft account or subscription, here are some free options popular in Australia:

  • ChatGPT Free Version: Accessible at Chat.openai.com, it offers GPT-3.5 based chat for free. Great for conversations and text generation but fewer integrations compared to Copilot.
  • Bing Chat: Built into the Microsoft Edge browser, Bing Chat is free and powered by GPT-4. It supports web search and chat but lacks the deep Office app integration.
  • Google Bard: Google’s AI chat tool available for free at Bard.google.com. It can generate text, answer questions, and help with creative tasks.
  • Canva Text to Image: Canva’s free plan includes AI-powered image generation similar to DALL-E, useful for creating visuals for presentations or social posts.

These tools are easy to access and good for casual use, but if you want AI woven into your everyday Microsoft apps, Copilot is currently the best bet.

Microsoft Copilot is a handy AI assistant that fits naturally into the apps many Australians already use every day. Whether you’re drafting a letter, analysing BAS data in Excel, or putting together a presentation, Copilot can speed up your work and help you get better results. Starting from free options at copilot.microsoft.com to premium features in Microsoft 365 subscriptions costing around $30 to $45 AUD per month, Copilot offers choices for every budget and skill level. As Microsoft continues to improve Copilot throughout 2026 and beyond, it’s worth giving it a go on your Windows 11 PC or Office apps.

This article was created with AI assistance.