Getting started on a blank document can be one of the hardest parts of any task. Whether it’s a safety policy, risk assessment or board report, writing from scratch is time-consuming and mentally draining.
Copilot acts like a smart assistant sitting next to you, helping you generate and structure content faster. You stay in control while Copilot does the heavy lifting.
Our Founder Tony Phillips – who has been supporting organisations to get the most out of Microsoft Teams and SharePoint for over ten years – shows you how Copilot can save hours of time, reduce repetitive work, and help you generate better-quality content in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Using Copilot in Microsoft Word
Copilot can help you get started with the basic structure and content of documents.
Generate a policy with Copilot in Microsoft Word
Imagine you need to create a new safety policy covering PPE, accident reporting, and hazardous materials.
Instead of starting with a blank page, simply ask Copilot to “draft a safety policy”.
Copilot generates a structured first draft in seconds, complete with relevant sections and headings. You still review and edit, but it gets you over that initial “blank page” hurdle.
Rewriting for different audiences with Copilot
Communication is key, especially when your readers vary. Maybe your first draft is too technical and complex to be quickly understood.
Just highlight the section and ask Copilot to “reword this in plain language for non-technical staff.”
Copilot simplifies your text instantly, making it clear and accessible, all while keeping your original meaning intact.
Generating a risk assessment
Need a UK Health & Safety Executive–compliant template? You can ask Copilot to generate a risk assessment form based on best practices and ISO standards.
It’s not the finished product, but it gives you a solid, professional starting point to refine and make your own.
Using Copilot in Excel
If you spend time building formulas or analysing data, Copilot can make a huge difference.
Creating formulas with Copilot in Excel
Let’s say you’re tracking manufacturing data; widgets, defects, and downtime.
You can ask:
“Which product had the most defects this month?”
Copilot automatically generates the necessary formulas, runs the analysis, and gives you a clear answer (for example, “Widget B – 223 defects”).
Generating a chart with Copilot in Excel
Need a chart? Just say:
“Show me a chart of total production versus defects for each product.”
Copilot highlights the relevant data, generates a chart, and even places it into a new sheet for you.
Using Copilot in Microsoft PowerPoint
Turning reports into engaging presentations is time-consuming, but with Copilot, you get a head start.
Generating a presentation from a report with Copilot in PowerPoint
You can ask Copilot to:
“Create a three-slide summary presentation from my monthly production report.”
Copilot scans your Word file, extracts key points, adds relevant imagery, and applies a layout. You instantly get a professional-looking deck ready for refinement.
Rewriting for different audiences with Copilot in PowerPoint
Want to tailor it for different audiences?
Try asking:
“Create a simplified, high-level presentation for non-technical staff and the board.”
Copilot adapts tone and complexity, helping you communicate the right message to the right people.
Copilot is a fantastic productivity booster, but it’s not a replacement for human judgment. You’re still the expert who ensures accuracy, tone, and compliance.
Think of it as your co-creator, helping you work smarter and spend more time on the things that matter – strategy, creativity and communication.
At Cloud Design Box, we build beautiful, scalable and secure intranets using Microsoft Teams and SharePoint.
We help organisations plan, structure, and train their staff to make the most of Microsoft 365, so your digital workplace grows alongside your business.
Want to know more? Talk to our team.
