Microsoft Copilot is evolving into a versatile, multimodal companion that helps you think, create, and execute faster. If you’re new or exploring deeper capabilities, this guide focuses on the most practical workflows backed by official Microsoft documentation, with clear guidance on what’s available today and where features may vary by app or subscription.

Upload files and ask questions

Copilot lets you upload multiple files in common formats like PDF, DOCX, XLSX, PPTX, PNG, JPEG, JFIF, TXT, JSON, CSV, and MD, then analyze, summarize, and generate content from them. Files are retained only to support your active session and are not used to train models. Availability and exact limits can vary between Microsoft Copilot and Microsoft 365 Copilot.

• Best for: Rapid document summaries, extracting key insights, drafting content based on source materials.
• Example prompt: “Summarize this report and list its top three recommendations.”
• Learn more: File upload in Microsoft Copilot
• Add content in Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat: Add content to Microsoft 365 Copilot chat prompts

Generate and edit images

Copilot supports text-to-image generation and image editing. You can describe scenes to create images or upload images and request edits such as background removal or stylistic changes. Features and usage limits may differ in the Microsoft 365 Copilot app.

• Best for: Creative exploration, marketing mockups, concept visualization.
• Example prompt: “Create a photorealistic image of a futuristic city skyline at sunset.”
• Learn more (Copilot): Using image generation in Microsoft Copilot
• Learn more (Microsoft 365 Copilot app): Create AI-generated images with the Microsoft 365 Copilot app

Use Copilot Voice

Copilot Voice enables hands-free interaction: dictate prompts, ask questions conversationally, and receive spoken responses. Transcripts may appear in your conversation history. Language support, wake words, and availability vary by device and app (personal vs. work/school).

• Best for: Accessibility, multitasking, quick capture of ideas.
• Learn more: Using Copilot Voice with Microsoft Copilot
• Conversation history: Conversation history in Microsoft Copilot
• Voice features in Microsoft 365: Get started with voice features in Microsoft 365 Copilot

Use Copilot Vision

Copilot Vision analyzes what’s on your screen or camera to provide insights and guidance. Images and audio used during a session are deleted after the session ends; text transcripts may appear in your conversation history. Vision helps with context-aware assistance but does not control apps on your behalf.

• Best for: On-screen guidance, assistance with complex UIs, asking questions about visual content.
• Learn more: Using Copilot Vision with Microsoft Copilot

Choose your conversation mode

Copilot offers multiple modes so you can tailor responses to your task, including Quick response, Think deeper, Study and learn, Smart, and Search. Mode availability and behavior can vary by app and account type.

• Best for: Matching response style to task complexity (fast answers vs. deeper reasoning).
• Learn more: Conversation modes in Microsoft Copilot

Access your conversation history

Copilot saves chats so you can revisit and continue past conversations. You can manage or delete your Copilot activity from the Microsoft privacy dashboard. Retention and visibility may vary between personal Copilot and Microsoft 365 Copilot.

• Best for: Building on prior work, tracking decisions and drafts, auditing AI-assisted workflows.
• Learn more: Conversation history in Microsoft Copilot
• Manage activity: Manage your Copilot activity in the Microsoft privacy dashboard

Work with Copilot Pages

Copilot Pages provide an editable canvas to refine responses, organize ideas, and collaborate. The feature set can differ between Microsoft Copilot Pages (personal) and Microsoft 365 Copilot Pages (work/school), and some capabilities require sign-in.

• Best for: Structured planning, research organization, collaborative drafting.
• Learn more (Copilot Pages): Using Copilot Pages with Microsoft Copilot
• Learn more (Microsoft 365 Copilot Pages): How Microsoft 365 Copilot Pages works

Create podcasts with Copilot

Copilot can generate on-demand audio “Podcasts” from your prompts, curating information and producing a playable episode. Availability and usage limits depend on sign-in and subscription.

• Best for: Thought leadership summaries, explainers, quick audio content for sharing.
• Learn more: Using Podcasts in Microsoft Copilot

Shop smarter with Copilot

Copilot helps you discover products, compare options, track price drops, and get impartial recommendations. Shopping features are available in select markets. When you’re ready to buy, Copilot links you to retailer websites; checkout is done on the retailer’s site.

• Best for: Researching purchases, price monitoring, narrowing choices with criteria.
• Learn more: Shopping with Microsoft Copilot

Final thoughts

Microsoft Copilot is more than a chatbot—it’s a multimodal productivity assistant that blends reasoning, content creation, and contextual help. Feature availability and limits vary between personal Copilot and Microsoft 365 Copilot, and some capabilities depend on sign-in and subscription. For the latest feature-specific changes, monitor the official Copilot help hubs and update pages.

For more information about how we can help with Microsoft 365 Copilot, contact our team at DysrupIT.