5 Ways to use Copilot as a note-taking tool

An open notebook on a desk with a pencil

In today’s fast-paced work environment, capturing and organizing information efficiently is more important than ever. Whether you're in meetings, reading documents, or brainstorming ideas, AI note-taking tools like Microsoft Copilot are transforming how we document and manage information. Copilot brings powerful capabilities that make notetaking smarter, faster, and more personalized. In this article, we’ll show you five ways you can depend on Copilot to take more accurate, useful notes.

1. Contextually-aware summaries

One of Copilot’s handy features is its ability to understand context and generate concise summaries. Whether you're reviewing a long email thread, attending a meeting, or reading a report, Copilot can distill the key points for you. Simply upload a file to the “Message Copilot” chat box, and your AI companion can summarize the most important information.

2. Extract action items from meeting transcripts and emails

Copilot doesn’t just summarize—it also identifies actionable insights. From meetings and chats to documents, it can automatically extract tasks, decisions, and follow-ups. This helps you stay organized without manually tracking every detail. You can even integrate these action items with task management tools like Microsoft To Do or Planner, making your workflow seamless and proactive.

3. Real-time note generation

During live interactions, Copilot can act as your AI note-taking assistant. When you enable Copilot Voice, your AI companion can transcribe spoken words into text. In meetings or brainstorming sessions, it can capture key points as they happen, offering suggestions and highlighting important moments. This allows you to stay focused on the conversation without worrying about missing details. It’s like having a smart scribe that never loses track of the important points.

A confident businessperson walks through an office space while carrying a Surface laptop after using it as an AI notes generator for a meeting

AI art created via Copilot

4. Personalized note structuring

Everyone has a preferred way of organizing notes: some like bullet points, while others prefer detailed outlines. Copilot adapts to your style and can format notes based on your preferences for tone, structure, and detail. Over time, it learns from your behavior, making your notes more consistent and tailored to your needs.

5. Seamless integration across workflows

If you’re looking for a more in-depth Copilot experience, you can purchase a subscription to Microsoft 365, and enjoy Copilot’s expertise across the desktop apps Outlook, Teams, Word, and more—saving time and eliminating the need to sift through pages of content. Here’s how you can take advantage of this deeper integration with tools you already use:

Generate meeting recaps in Word: Paste meeting transcripts or notes, and prompt Copilot to create a clean, structured recap with action items and decisions.
Draft follow-up notes in Outlook: After reading an email, prompt Copilot to generate a summary or a draft response with embedded notes.
Track action items in Teams: During or after a Teams meeting, Copilot can generate real-time notes, including decisions made, tasks assigned, and next steps.

Elevate your AI notetaking

Copilot is more than just an AI notes generator—it’s a powerful tool that streamlines how you capture, organize, and act on information. By leveraging its summarization, task extraction, and personalization features, you can transform your note-taking process and boost productivity. Whether you're a student, professional, or team leader, Copilot helps you stay on top of your work with less effort and more clarity. Try Copilot today and experience smarter notetaking that keeps you organized, focused, and ready to take action.

DISCLAIMER: Features and functionality subject to change. Articles are written specifically for the United States market; features, functionality, and availability may vary by region.