Microsoft 365 Copilot: what it does, who it is for and alternatives
Updated · By Robert Breen
Copilot inside Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Teams, grounded in your work files and email. It drafts documents, recaps meetings and finds information across your tenant.
Official site: microsoft.com
What Microsoft 365 Copilot does
With the full license, Copilot pulls context automatically from your emails, files, meetings, calendars and chats through Microsoft Graph, so you don't have to upload anything. You can open it in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams and OneNote, or in the Copilot app on web, desktop and mobile. Copilot Search finds results across Microsoft 365 and connected outside data sources.
Who Microsoft 365 Copilot is for
- Executive assistants
- Project managers
- Financial analysts
- Sales managers
Key features
- Drafts, rewrites and summarizes documents in Word
- Analyzes data and writes formulas and visuals in Excel
- Summarizes and transcribes Teams meetings and captures action items
- Drafts emails and summarizes threads in Outlook, with tone coaching
- Agents that automate business processes using web and work data
Privacy and data
Microsoft 365 Copilot says prompts, responses and Microsoft Graph data are not used to train foundation models, data is encrypted at rest and in transit, Copilot respects your existing permissions and sensitivity labels, and it supports GDPR, the EU Data Boundary, ISO/IEC 27018 and HIPAA for properly configured setups. Source: Microsoft 365 Copilot’s own page. Before you put client data in, check your company’s AI rules and the plan’s data settings.
Learn Microsoft 365 Copilot free on Stepthrough
- Comparison: Copilot in Outlook vs Gemini in Gmail for work email
- Comparison: Microsoft Copilot Chat vs Microsoft 365 Copilot (2026)
Alternatives to Microsoft 365 Copilot
Other AI chat assistants in the directory.
- ChatGPT Free plan OpenAI’s chat assistant drafts emails, summarizes documents, analyzes spreadsheets and answers questions in plain English. Projects keep your instructions and files in one place, and on Pro and Business Premium plans, dots are always-on agents that keep working between chats.
- Claude Free plan Anthropic’s assistant is strong at long documents, careful writing and analysis. Projects, artifacts and skills let it reuse your files, brand rules and templates.
- Gemini Free plan Google’s assistant answers questions, writes and researches, with Deep Research for cited reports. It connects to Gmail, Docs and Drive when you allow it.
- Microsoft Copilot Free plan Microsoft’s free assistant for chat, writing, web answers and images. A good everyday option for teams that already work in Windows and Edge.
- Jinxo Free A group chat for people and their AI bots. Add bots such as ChatGPT, Claude, Grok or Gemini to one room and ask them together. Free right now, but its terms say that may change.
- Gemini for Google Workspace Paid Gemini built into Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides and Meet for business accounts. It drafts, summarizes and organizes work inside the apps your team already uses.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Microsoft 365 Copilot?
- Copilot inside Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Teams, grounded in your work files and email. It drafts documents, recaps meetings and finds information across your tenant. With the full license, Copilot pulls context automatically from your emails, files, meetings, calendars and chats through Microsoft Graph, so you don't have to upload anything. You can open it in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams and OneNote, or in the Copilot app on web, desktop and mobile. Copilot Search finds results across Microsoft 365 and connected outside data sources.
- Who is Microsoft 365 Copilot for?
- Microsoft 365 Copilot fits executive assistants, project managers, financial analysts and sales managers, and other office teams with the same job to do.
- Is Microsoft 365 Copilot free?
- Microsoft 365 Copilot is a paid tool. Plans change often, so check the official pricing page before you commit.
- What are some alternatives to Microsoft 365 Copilot?
- Other AI chat assistants include ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Microsoft Copilot and Jinxo.
- Is Microsoft 365 Copilot safe for work data?
- Microsoft 365 Copilot says prompts, responses and Microsoft Graph data are not used to train foundation models, data is encrypted at rest and in transit, Copilot respects your existing permissions and sensitivity labels, and it supports GDPR, the EU Data Boundary, ISO/IEC 27018 and HIPAA for properly configured setups. Check your own company’s rules, and use a business plan with training turned off for client data.
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Checked against Microsoft 365 Copilot’s official site on October 20, 2026: source 1, source 2. Spotted something out of date? Email rbreen@ynteractive.com. Listings are free; submit your AI tool.
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