Explore Microsoft Copilot for PowerPoint

AI (short for artificial intelligence) is the wave of the future. With the addition of Copilot in PowerPoint, you can now use it to make great presentations in less time. 

In this tutorial, I’ll show you everything you need to know about Microsoft Copilot in PowerPoint. This powerful new AI tool is integrated with PowerPoint and promises to improve and streamline your workflow significantly. We will explore what Copilot for PowerPoint is and what it does, enabling you to start using it effectively today.

What Is Copilot in PowerPoint?

So, what is Copilot for PowerPoint? It’s part of the broader Microsoft Copilot landscape of AI-powered chatbot tools. If you’re familiar with the popular OpenAI ChatGPT-4, think of Copilot alongside it.

Microsoft, a major investor in OpenAI, built Copilot using the GPT-4 model, which has now been integrated across Microsoft’s application suite, including PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and more.

Copilot in PowerPoint acts as a digital assistant. In other words, it’s an AI tool designed to help you work faster and more efficiently. It can perform a variety of analyses, facilitate basic design tasks, optimize presentations, and much more.

While it doesn’t completely replace the manual tasks you typically perform in PowerPoint, it does automate many steps and serves as a thoughtful assistant to enhance the quality of your work.

For more detailed information about Copilot AI and its functionalities, check out our full tutorial guide:

• What Is Microsoft Copilot? (Microsoft Office AI 2023) {.roundup-block__content-link}

How Do I Access Copilot for PowerPoint?

Now that we’ve explored what Copilot PowerPoint is, let’s discuss how to access it. In early 2024, Microsoft began offering subscriptions to Copilot Pro, which is available in selected regions based on language support.

Copilot Pro provides the full suite of features for your favorite Microsoft Office applications, including PowerPoint. Here’s how to activate Copilot in PowerPoint step by step.

1. How to Purchase Copilot for PowerPoint

Copilot Pro is priced at $20 USD per month. This is necessary if you want to use Copilot with your Microsoft 365 apps, including PowerPoint. As a premium subscriber, you gain access to both the powerful GPT-4 and GPT-4 Turbo models, even during high traffic periods.

To purchase Copilot for PowerPoint, visit Microsoft’s Copilot page. After logging into your Microsoft account, you can complete the license purchase.

2. How to Set Up Copilot in PowerPoint

Setting up Copilot in PowerPoint is straightforward and only needs to be done once. After purchasing, launch PowerPoint on your Windows or Mac device.

Once PowerPoint is open, navigate to the menu and click Update License. This action refreshes the license, confirming that you have purchased Copilot for PowerPoint. You will find the Copilot feature active on the Home tab in the ribbon, located on the far right side.

To launch Copilot, simply click the Copilot button. The Copilot sidebar will appear on the right side of your screen, and you’re ready to start using it!

How to Use Copilot in PowerPoint

Now, let’s look at what PowerPoint Copilot can do for you. We’ll cover key features and tips to help you work effectively with Copilot.

As we go through the features, I will demonstrate using a premium Microsoft PowerPoint template from Envato Elements called the Contact PowerPoint Template. You can download it to follow along with our tutorial.

1. Add Content to Your Slides

With Copilot, adding content to your slides becomes a breeze. Instead of manually inserting content, you can ask Copilot to include it for you.

Currently, this includes text, images, and more. Copilot can also edit certain graphics, although this feature is limited as of early 2024 and will expand in the future.

To see this in action, start on slide #1 of your presentation. This cover slide contains simple graphics and a text placeholder. Use the Copilot sidebar menu and type in the request to “change the text on this slide to Envato Elements.” After hitting Enter, watch as the text updates automatically.

You can also instruct Copilot to select and add images, text effects, and more, allowing you to create creative slides faster than ever.

2. Gain Insights With Summaries

When faced with a PowerPoint presentation containing dozens or hundreds of slides, quickly digesting key information can be challenging. One of the standout features of Copilot is its ability to summarize presentation content.

Simply ask Copilot to “summarize what’s in this PowerPoint for me,” and you’ll receive a concise summary of the key points within your slide deck.

You can also tailor your requests for summaries of specific slides, making it easy to retrieve just the information you need.

3. Get Answers to Questions - No Scrolling Required

PowerPoint presentations often contain a wealth of information. If a slide deck is lengthy, finding specific details can be daunting.

For instance, if someone asks for the total annual sales from Germany, you might remember it’s in the presentation but don’t know where.

With Copilot, you can simply type “What are the annual sales in Germany?” and receive the answer in moments, such as $22 million. This functionality allows you to focus on the content without the hassle of endless scrolling.

4. Use AI for PowerPoint to Brainstorm and Generate Ideas

Copilot in PowerPoint serves as a valuable assistant for brainstorming new ideas for your presentations. If you’re unsure how to share your thoughts effectively, use Copilot as a sounding board.

You can ask for ideas on how to clarify your concepts or suggest new approaches for presenting your topics. This interaction can be likened to conversing with a trusted adviser.

5. Request Ideas on Slide Order and Sequencing

Proper sequencing of slides is crucial for effective presentations. If you’re unsure about the best order for your slides, ask Copilot to “organize this presentation.”

Copilot will analyze the content of your slide deck and suggest a new sequence that ensures each slide logically follows the last. This feature enhances the flow of your presentation, benefiting both you and your audience.

The Top Source for the Best Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation Templates (With Unlimited Downloads)

Templates are essential for leveraging AI in PowerPoint effectively. The best source for these is Envato Elements, which offers thousands of premium Microsoft PowerPoint templates available for unlimited downloads at a flat monthly rate.

As an Elements subscriber, you also gain access to millions of digital assets, including fonts, music, stock photos, graphics, and more, all included in an incredible unlimited downloads offer.

With the powerful new AI-driven search assistant on Elements, finding the perfect digital content for your project is easier than ever. Just describe your creative needs in a few words, and the ideal assets will be sourced for you in moments.

Start Using AI for PowerPoint Copilot Today

In this tutorial, you learned about using Copilot in PowerPoint, including its functionalities, how to access it, and the exciting features it offers. As AI technology continues to evolve, so will Copilot, making it an invaluable tool to help you work smarter in Microsoft PowerPoint. Pair it with stunning Envato Elements PowerPoint templates to create remarkable slide decks in record time.