Description

Introduction
Prompt engineering is the art and science of crafting effective instructions to guide AI outputs. In the world of Microsoft Copilot, well-designed prompts can significantly boost productivity, accuracy, and creativity across tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. This training is designed to help users—from beginners to advanced—write better prompts that lead to meaningful and actionable responses, transforming how work gets done with AI.

Prerequisites

• Basic familiarity with Microsoft 365 applications

• Understanding of how Microsoft Copilot integrates with Office tools

• Interest in improving AI interactions for better task outcomes

Table of Contents

1. Understanding Prompt Engineering
    1.1 What is Prompt Engineering?
    1.2 How Copilot Processes Prompts
    1.3 Differences Between Generic and Task-Oriented Prompts

2. Crafting Effective Prompts
    2.1 Clear and Specific Instructions
    2.2 Using Contextual Language and Tone
    2.3 Prompting for Format, Style, and Length

3. Prompt Techniques by Application
    3.1 Word: Writing, Summarizing, and Editing Content
    3.2 Excel: Data Analysis, Formula Generation, and Automation
    3.3 PowerPoint: Slide Creation, Visual Guidance, and Storytelling
    3.4 Outlook: Writing Emails, Setting Agendas, and Replies
    3.5 Teams: Summarizing Meetings, Extracting Tasks, and Notes

4. Common Prompting Pitfalls
    4.1 Vague and Broad Prompts
    4.2 Overloading with Multiple Tasks
    4.3 Misaligned Intent vs. Input

5. Iterative Prompting and Refinement
    5.1 Improving Results with Follow-Ups
    5.2 Asking for Rewrites and Reformatting
    5.3 Building Prompt Templates for Reuse

6. Advanced Prompt Patterns
    6.1 Role-based Prompts: “Act as…”
    6.2 Comparative and Analytical Prompts
    6.3 Scenario-based Prompts for Decision Support

7. Measuring Prompt Effectiveness
    7.1 Evaluating Response Quality
    7.2 Tracking Efficiency and Task Completion
    7.3 Feedback Loop for Prompt Optimization

Prompt engineering is a powerful skill that empowers users to extract maximum value from Microsoft Copilot. By learning how to communicate clearly with AI and refine prompts for different tasks, teams can turn a helpful assistant into a strategic partner. With practice and creativity, anyone can master prompting and unlock smarter, faster, and more impactful results from Copilot.