Microsoft 365 Copilot: 7 Powerful New Features You Can’t Miss

Key insights

• Personalized Email Drafting in Outlook: Copilot now helps users write more tailored emails in the New Outlook, adapting tone and content for different recipients to improve communication efficiency.
  
• AI Text Extraction from Images: In both Word and Excel, Copilot can extract text directly from pictures or screenshots, making it easy to turn visual data into editable content without manual typing.
  
• Copilot Shortcut in Excel: A new shortcut lets users quickly access Copilot features in Excel for fast actions like calculations, data analysis, or generating summaries with minimal effort.
  
• Instant Data Table Creation in Excel: Copilot can now generate fully formatted data tables instantly from provided information, saving time on setup and organization of spreadsheet data.
  
• PowerPoint Slide Design Enhancements: Users can design attractive slides or insert single slides using Copilot’s AI-powered suggestions, streamlining the creation of professional presentations.
  
• Automated Project Status Reports in Planner: Copilot automates the process of creating project status reports within Planner, reducing manual reporting work and ensuring updates are clear and consistent.
  

Microsoft 365 Copilot: 7 New Features Unveiled

Microsoft 365 Copilot continues to push the boundaries of productivity software, with a fresh set of features introduced in mid-2025. In a recent YouTube video, Scott Brant walks viewers through these updates, highlighting how they are designed to make daily work in Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Planner more efficient. As organizations increasingly rely on AI to simplify workflows, these new tools reflect Microsoft’s commitment to making artificial intelligence accessible and practical for all users.

Understanding what’s new in this release is essential for both IT professionals and everyday users seeking to maximize their efficiency. The following article summarizes the main takeaways from Brant’s tutorial, explores the tradeoffs involved with these updates, and sheds light on the challenges and opportunities presented by this latest evolution of Microsoft 365 Copilot.

Personalized Email Drafting and Enhanced Text Extraction

One of the most notable additions is the improved email drafting capabilities in the New Outlook with Copilot. Users can now personalize drafts more effectively, allowing AI to account for tone, context, and recipient preferences. This not only saves time but also ensures that communications are tailored and relevant. However, while automation can speed up routine tasks, there is always a balance to be struck between efficiency and maintaining a personal touch in correspondence.

In addition, Copilot now supports extracting text from images in both Word and Excel. This feature leverages AI to convert picture-based information into editable text, making it easier to incorporate data from physical documents or screenshots. The tradeoff here lies in accuracy—while the technology is rapidly improving, users should still review extracted content to ensure correctness, especially when dealing with complex layouts or handwritten notes.

Excel Shortcuts, Instant Data Tables, and Streamlined Reporting

Excel users will appreciate the introduction of a new Copilot shortcut for executing quick actions. This makes it possible to perform common tasks, such as formatting or analyzing data, with a simple command. Additionally, Copilot can now instantly generate data tables, further reducing the time spent on manual setup and data entry. These features support faster decision-making and reporting, though some users may need to adapt their workflows to fully take advantage of automated suggestions.

Another significant update comes to Planner, where Copilot can now automate the creation of project status reports. This is a major step forward for project managers who often spend considerable time compiling updates. While automation increases speed and consistency, it can present challenges if unique project nuances are not captured by standard templates, underscoring the need for occasional manual review.

PowerPoint Design and Single-Slide Inserts

PowerPoint has received upgrades that further integrate Copilot’s design capabilities. Users can now generate visually appealing slides or insert single slides based on content prompts, simplifying the process of creating presentations. This not only streamlines slide deck assembly but also helps those who may not have strong design skills to produce professional-looking results.

However, while automated design tools can accelerate presentation creation, some users may feel that creative control is reduced. Balancing automation with the desire for unique, customized layouts remains an ongoing challenge, especially for those who prefer hands-on design.

Administrative Controls and Security Enhancements

Beyond user-facing features, the latest Copilot release brings new administrative controls to ensure secure and compliant use of AI. Integration with Microsoft Purview Data Loss Prevention (DLP) helps organizations prevent sensitive information from being inadvertently shared. Enhanced analytics and reporting tools give administrators greater insight into Copilot usage and costs, aiding in resource planning and governance.

Meanwhile, new security features like SafeLinks integration and improved agent management enable organizations to scale AI solutions with confidence. These improvements address concerns about data privacy and security, though they may require additional setup and oversight from IT departments to ensure policies are properly enforced.

Looking Ahead: Opportunities and Considerations

The seven new features in Microsoft 365 Copilot mark another leap forward for AI-powered productivity. By automating routine tasks, enhancing collaboration, and simplifying complex workflows, Copilot aims to free up time for more strategic work. Yet, as with any technology, there are tradeoffs between convenience and control, and organizations must remain vigilant about accuracy, compliance, and the human element in digital communication.

As Microsoft continues to refine Copilot, users can expect even more seamless integration across the 365 suite. For now, these updates offer a glimpse into a future where AI tools are essential partners in daily work, helping everyone—from project managers to executives—work smarter and more efficiently.

Keywords

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