Having Copilot is like having a brilliant assistant at your fingertips, isn’t it? But, like any assistant, it’s only as good as the instructions it receives. I’ve heard lots of people say things like, “I love Copilot, but it often takes a few tries to get the response I want,” or “Why doesn’t Copilot understand what I’m looking for?” Here’s a little secret: it’s not Copilot’s fault – your prompt could use a bit of tweaking.
You see, chatting with Copilot without giving it clear direction is a bit like saying, “Surprise me!” at a restaurant. Unless you specify what you’re in the mood for, you might end up with something you weren’t expecting. So, how do we make sure Copilot knocks it out of the park every single time? Easy! Just remember the GCSE formula. And don’t worry, it doesn’t involve any exams!
Goal: Start with clarity. What do you want from Copilot? The clearer your goal, the more on-point the response will be.
Context: Give Copilot the full picture. What’s the purpose of the task? Who’s it for? What do you need this information for? The more context you provide, the better tailored the response.
Source: Guide Copilot on where to fetch the data. Which documents, emails, or files should it refer to? Copilot can access a lot, so be precise about what it should consider.
Expectations: How do you want the response formatted? The more specific you are, the more useful the output will be.
Good vs bad prompts: let’s compare
To really grasp the magic of crafting the perfect Copilot prompt, let’s compare some not-so-great prompts with their perfect counterparts:
Bad
Summarise this document
Good
Summarise this document into three bullet points so I can add them to a presentation slide. Please focus on key findings and use simple language.
Write a blog about Microsoft Copilot
Write a blog about Microsoft Copilot. I will be sharing this with clients to help promote the benefits of Copilot. Focus on how it saves time and boosts creativity, use this document as a reference. Please use simple language with no tech jargon.
Summarise my inbox
Summarise what I may have missed in my inbox over the past week so I can catch up quickly. Please focus on emails from external participants and prioritise urgent emails.
What is Kascade Complete?
Create an FAQ based on Kascade Complete.pdf that includes clear headings and bullet points to enhance readability. Ensure that the document is structured in a way that addresses common questions effectively and provides comprehensive answers for the intended audience. Use simple language and bullet points.
Why not try entering these improved prompts into Copilot and see the difference for yourself? You’ll be amazed at how a little tweak can turn a frustrating experience into a fantastic one!
Do’s and Don’ts for Prompting Copilot
Do
- Be clear and specific: Outline your topic, purpose, tone, and length requirements.
- Keep it conversational: Provide feedback based on Copilot’s responses to fine-tune the output.
- Ask for feedback: This helps Copilot understand your preferences better.
- Write legibly: Good grammar, punctuation, and capitalisation are crucial.
- Check for accuracy: Always review Copilot’s responses for correctness.
- Be polite: A respectful tone fosters better collaboration with Copilot.
- Provide feedback: Copilot learns from you and the more feedback you give Copilot, the better responses you’ll get from it.
Don’t:
- Be vague: Avoid unclear language to ensure quality responses.
- Request inappropriate or unethical content: Respect laws, rules, and the rights of others.
- Use slang or jargon: This can lead to poor-quality responses.
- Give conflicting instructions: This confuses Copilot and reduces response quality.
- Interrupt or change topics abruptly: Finish one task before starting another for smoother responses.
- Assume Copilot had it right all the time: Make sure you check the responses as AI isn’t 100% correct all the time.
By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to mastering Copilot and getting the precise responses you need. Remember, it’s all about clear, detailed, and respectful communication. With the right prompts, Copilot transforms from a simple tool into a powerful ally, capable of enhancing your productivity and creativity.
Ready to take your Microsoft Copilot skills to the next level?
Join us at the Copilot Academy with Kascade! Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refine your expertise, our academy is the perfect place to enhance your understanding and maximise your productivity with Microsoft Copilot. With weekly live training, tips and content, you’ll become a Copilot pro in just six weeks!
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