How to Draft an Email with Copilot

Jordan Hughes
18 hours ago
1 min read

We’ve all been there, you know what information you need to communicate, but don't have the time to compose the perfect email. You can use Microsoft Copilot, integrated directly into Outlook, to help you clear your inbox in record time.

Here is your step-by-step guide to using Copilot to draft emails in Outlook to save you time.

Step 1 - Open Outlook and select the new email icon.

Step 2 - In the Outlook desktop app or web version, you’ll see the Copilot icon in the ribbon when you start a new message.

Email draft window with toolbar, blue "Send" button, and blank fields for "To," "Cc," and "Subject." Copilot icon is visible.

Click the icon to open the prompt box.

Step 3 - Write your prompt and remember to be specific. Instead of saying "Write an email about the meeting," try: "Draft an email to the training team summarising the three main action items from this morning's Course Marketing Meeting."

Email draft screen with Copilot suggestion: "Try, 'recap a meeting'." Text box prompts drafting help, including clarifying goals and tone.

Copilot will ask you questions to fill in the details, and you don't have to settle for the first draft. You can use the regenerate button and give feedback to refine the email further.

Essentially, the more specific information you can give Copilot, the better the email will be and more accurate.

Email draft in progress with Copilot suggestions visible, including questions about email purpose and options like "Introduce my services."

Step 4 - Before you confirm the email, Copilot will ask you to set the tone and vibe of the email.

You can take it further and mention specific files (like a PowerPoint or Excel sheet), and Copilot can pull key data points into your draft email - now that is cool.