Have you heard? Microsoft Copilot for 365 is officially available as a paid add-on for all users and subscription types. This software feature—the newest AI-powered addition to the Microsoft family—is designed to streamline your work by intuitively assisting with day-to-day tasks across the Microsoft environment.
In this article, our IT experts at Ntiva summarize what Microsoft Copilot for 365 can do for your teams and how it will change the way you work. We’ll also dive into the latest updates to Copilot, detailing some of the newest features and illustrating how they can further optimize daily tasks.
*Note: For this article, we will be referring to Microsoft Copilot for 365 as simply "Copilot for 365." This is not to be confused with Bing Chat, which Microsoft recently renamed Copilot. Confusing, we know!
Need to whip up a project proposal, sum up a meeting, or put together a presentation? Microsoft Copilot for 365 has got your back, answering your commands and doing the heavy lifting in seconds. Copilot for 365 is a game-changing combination of AI and the reliable Microsoft 365 suite.
The software goes beyond basic assistance by transforming into an innovative, AI-powered colleague that seamlessly integrates into widely used business applications. What sets Copilot for 365 apart is its remarkable capacity for natural language processing. It maximizes productivity by assisting with drafting emails, analyzing complex datasets in Excel, creating captivating PowerPoint presentations, and efficiently managing your calendar in Outlook.
The truly impressive aspect of Copilot for 365 is its AI-powered approach. It understands the bigger picture, learns from interactions, and provides personalized responses—all in your own secure 365 environment. Microsoft continues to improve and expand these capabilities, regularly notifying users of new features and software updates via its website.
As of June 2025, Microsoft Copilot for 365 is available as a paid add-on across all Microsoft 365 plans. Pricing varies depending on the subscription type:
Enterprise and educational customers: $30 per user per month (requires an eligible Microsoft 365 plan such as E3, E5, or Business Premium)
Personal and family customers: Basic Copilot functionality is now included directly within Microsoft 365 Personal ($9.99/month) and Family ($12.99/month) subscriptions.
For personal users who want more advanced AI features, Microsoft offers "Copilot Pro" as an optional upgrade for $20 per user per month.
Keep in mind that Copilot for 365 requires access to SharePoint data for its full functionality, which is governed by Azure Information Protection plans. While Business Standard users can still enjoy limited functionality with direct content from OneDrive and Outlook, upgrading to Microsoft Business Premium is highly recommended in order to truly unlock the full potential of Copilot for 365.
No matter which Microsoft applications your organization employs, you can leverage the functionalities of Copilot for 365 to simplify processes and enhance the efficiency of numerous business operations. Copilot for 365 works alongside you in the Microsoft applications you use every day, including:
Copilot for 365 is more than just a fancy tool in the Microsoft suite—it’s a practical asset for various business operations. Here’s a closer look at how its features can streamline daily tasks:
|
Business Operation |
Key Functions with Copilot |
|
Email Management in Outlook |
● Auto-sorting and prioritizing your inbox ● Drafting quick responses to common queries ● Summarizing long email threads |
|
Data Analysis in Excel |
● Sifting through large datasets for key insights ● Identifying and highlighting trends ● Suggesting optimal visualization methods |
|
Content Creation in Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word |
● Generating ideas and outlines for reports and articles ● Assisting with drafting and editing documents ● Creating engaging presentation decks |
|
Enhancing Meeting Productivity in Teams |
● Summarizing, transcribing, and translating meetings and discussions ● Keeping track of action items and follow-ups ● Providing suggestions for agenda and meeting structure |
|
Project Management |
● Assisting with creating project plans and timelines ● Generating task lists and assigning roles ● Offering suggestions for resource allocation |
|
Customer Service |
● Drafting responses to customer inquiries ● Providing quick access to frequently asked questions ● Summarizing customer feedback and gathering insights |
|
Research & Development |
● Gathering and summarizing relevant research data ● Assisting with brainstorming sessions for product innovation ● Providing quick access to industry trends, insights, and benchmarks |
|
Human Resources |
● Helping draft job descriptions and employee communications ● Assisting with scheduling interviews and meetings ● Providing summaries of employee feedback and surveys |
|
Finance & Accounting |
● Assisting with generating financial reports and summaries ● Offering suggestions for budget allocation and analysis ● Simplifying complex financial data for better understanding |
|
Marketing & Social Media |
● Generating content ideas and marketing strategies ● Assisting with crafting social media posts and campaigns ● Analyzing market data for insights and trends |
Here are some of the latest updates to Copilot for 365 as of April 2025 and how they’re improving the Copilot experience:
For businesses looking to adopt Copilot for 365, here are some key considerations to keep in mind:
By preparing their workforce in these areas, businesses can smoothly integrate Copilot for 365 into their operations, harnessing the power of AI to enhance their productivity and innovation without risking data integrity.
Microsoft applications work best in tandem, so it’s important that your teams are getting the most productivity possible out of their tech stack. Copilot for 365 can help.
If you're an organization looking to get started with Copilot but need some guidance, reach out to our Microsoft consultants to get started. We offer programs to help train your teams and ensure you get the most out of these powerful tools. Or, if your business has already implemented Copilot for 365 and would like to maximize its usage, our team of IT experts is happy to offer some insight.