How to use AI agents at work

AI agents: what they are and why they matter for productivity

Most AI tools stop at conversation. You ask a question, get an answer, then you’re on your own to turn it into something useful. Microsoft 365 Copilot agents go much further. Word, Excel, and PowerPoint agents don’t just respond — they create, structure, and refine real work outputs like documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, right from chat. ^2,3

Instead of dumping raw text into a blank file, these agents follow a professional creation flow. You see a live preview as they work, then refine the output through multi-turn chat — or hand it off to Word, Excel, or PowerPoint to continue editing with Copilot inside the app.

That’s the difference between chatting with AI and collaborating with an agent.

Each agent is designed for a specific kind of work:

• Word Agent turns complex ideas into clear, well-written documents like strategy plans, policy write-ups, and research summaries.
• Excel Agent uses real formulas, logic, and data models to build forecasts, dashboards, and decision tools — not just tables of numbers.
• PowerPoint Agent creates presentation-ready decks with narrative flow, visuals, and layout, not just bullet points on slides.

Because these agents live inside Microsoft 365, everything stays secure, permission-based, and connected to the files and tools you already use. That’s what makes them so much more powerful than a standalone AI chat window — they’re not guessing what to do with your work, they’re working on it with you.

Real-life example #1: Update a monthly report with Word AI workflow automation

If monthly reports are part of your routine, you’ve likely opened last month’s file, sighed, and thought, “here we go again.” Copilot gets it. Word’s AI agent steps in to lighten that load. Instead of rebuilding your report from scratch, it helps you update the existing version quickly and consistently.²

Here’s what that workflow can look like:

Start with last month’s file
Use the previous report so Copilot can maintain your structure, tone, and formatting.

Add the new information
Paste updated numbers from an email or spreadsheet so Copilot knows what has changed.
Prompt Copilot with:
“Use the updated numbers below to refresh the data in this report.”

Identify meaningful changes
Copilot can summarize differences or flag details worth noting.
Prompt idea:
“Summarize the main changes in this month’s results compared to last month.”

Refresh and tighten the narrative
Rewrite sections to reflect the new data and clarify takeaways.
Try:
“Rewrite this summary to highlight the biggest changes and make it more action-oriented.”

Clean up formatting
Ask Copilot to tidy spacing, tables, and headings, so the final doc feels intentional and consistent.

Helpful tip:
If a section feels unwieldy, try: “Shorten this by 25% while keeping the main idea.”

Turn data into insights with Excel

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Real-life example #2: Model financing options with Excel AI productivity tools

Expanding inventory usually means juggling spreadsheets, formulas, and “why isn’t this calculating correctly?” moments. Copilot turns Excel^2,3 removes that friction. Instead of building a model from scratch, you tell it what you’re trying to decide, and it builds the structure for you.

Start with a simple prompt
Tell Copilot what scenarios you want to compare:
“Build a loan calculator for $20K, $35K, and $50K with monthly payments, interest rates, and total repayment.”

Copilot creates the structure, formulas included.

Add business logic without writing formulas
Layer in inventory or growth assumptions.
Try:
“Factor in inventory growth needs and show how increased sales would affect repayment.”

Explore ‘what if’ scenarios instantly
Need to see how changes impact the model?

“Show how these results shift if interest rates rise 0.5% or repayment extends to 36 months.”

Copilot updates tables, formulas, and charts automatically. It gives you clarity in seconds, not hours.

Helpful hint:
If you’re unsure how something was calculated, ask:
“Explain these results in plain language.”
It’s great for validating assumptions or sharing insights with stakeholders.

Real-life example #3: Turn an outline into a deck with PowerPoint AI tools

You’ve got a big idea and a loose outline, but a polished deck? Not yet. Copilot in PowerPoint² helps you get from “notes” to “presentation-ready” fast.

Start with whatever you have
Drop in notes or an outline and ask:
“Turn this into a 10–12 slide pitch deck with a clear narrative and simple visuals.”

Copilot builds a structured deck with titles, bullets, and logical flow.²

Strengthen key slides
Ask Copilot to clarify or enhance your message.
Try:
“Make slide 3 more concise and add a visual that supports the main point.”

Add polish without extra manual work
If you’re presenting to leadership, ask for quick speaker notes:
“Add short speaker notes for each slide emphasizing the key messages.”

Helpful tip:
Apply your preferred template first. Copilot will follow the styling automatically, so your deck looks cohesive from the start.

How to bring your own AI (BYOAI) to work securely

After seeing how AI agents streamline real‑world tasks, the question becomes: how do you use them securely in your own workplace? That’s where Bring Your Own AI (BYOAI) comes in.

BYOAI lets you use Copilot from your personal Microsoft 365 subscription inside your work apps, but without mixing any personal or work data. Copilot simply becomes available as an additional capability when you’re signed in with both accounts.

If your organization allows it, you can:

• Sign into Microsoft 365 apps with both your work and personal accounts.
  Your work account controls your files and access; your personal account unlocks Copilot.
• Use your personal Microsoft 365 subscription to turn on Copilot.
  You get Copilot’s features without your company having to purchase additional licenses.
• Keep work and personal content completely separate.
  Copilot only interacts with whatever account’s content you’re actively working in, it never blends them.

The key thing to know: your company’s permissions and security rules are always in charge. Copilot automatically follows your organization’s policies, whether that means limiting access to certain content or blocking features your admin hasn’t approved.

Did you know?

Using BYOAI inside Microsoft 365 is often safer than using random AI websites because your data never leaves Microsoft’s secure environment, and Copilot never uses your work content to train public models.

Why Copilot agents are some of the best AI tools for work

Lots of AI tools generate content, but Copilot agents in Microsoft 365¹ work directly inside your documents, securely and contextually. That means:

• No copying sensitive data into external websites
• No mixing personal and work content
• No compliance headaches
• Better results because Copilot understands your files and goals

It’s AI built for real workplace use, not a workaround.

Bring AI into your everyday workflow with Microsoft 365

AI agents in Microsoft 365¹ help you work faster and with more clarity, without changing your tools or your process. With BYOAI and Copilot, you get secure, built-in AI that lightens your workload and boosts productivity.

Start using Copilot to transform the way you work. Try Microsoft 365 today.

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