Microsoft Copilot is Microsoft's AI assistant, built into Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365 and Business Central. It uses large language models to help users draft content, analyse data, summarise information and automate routine tasks using natural language instructions, working directly inside the applications people already use rather than as a separate tool.
How Microsoft Copilot works
Copilot combines a large language model with your organisation's data, accessed through Microsoft Graph, while respecting existing permissions and security boundaries. In Word or Outlook, it drafts and edits text. In Excel, it analyses data and builds formulas. In Business Central, it assists with cash flow forecasting, bank reconciliation matching and inventory suggestions. In Dynamics 365 Sales, it summarises emails and recommends next actions. Each instance of Copilot is grounded in the data of the application it runs in, rather than working from general knowledge alone.
How UK businesses use Microsoft Copilot
- A finance team uses Copilot in Business Central to generate cash flow forecasts and reconcile bank transactions faster, cutting manual reconciliation time significantly.
- A sales team uses Copilot for Sales to draft follow-up emails and summarise customer meetings, saving hours of admin time each week.
- An operations manager uses Copilot in Excel to build pivot tables and analyse stock data without needing advanced spreadsheet skills.
- A marketing team uses Copilot in Word and PowerPoint to draft first versions of proposals and presentations, then refines the output rather than starting from a blank page.
How Advantage helps businesses adopt Microsoft Copilot
Advantage runs Copilot readiness assessments to identify where AI can deliver the most value in your business, then configures and rolls out Copilot across Microsoft 365, Business Central and Dynamics 365. We also provide user training to help teams adopt AI tools effectively rather than letting licences go unused. Find out more about our Copilot Readiness Assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Is Microsoft Copilot the same across all Microsoft products?
No. Copilot adapts to the application it runs in. Copilot in Word helps draft and edit documents, Copilot in Excel analyses data, and Copilot in Business Central or Dynamics 365 assists with finance, sales and operational tasks. The underlying AI is shared, but each version is trained on the context of its host application.
Does Microsoft Copilot use my business data to train its AI model?
No. Microsoft Copilot uses your organisation's data only to generate responses for your organisation, within your existing security and compliance boundaries. It does not use your data to train the underlying foundation models that other customers use.
How much does Microsoft Copilot cost?
Microsoft 365 Copilot is licensed as an add-on to Microsoft 365 Business or Enterprise plans, priced per user per month. Copilot capabilities within Dynamics 365 and Business Central are included in standard licensing for many scenarios, with some advanced features priced separately. Advantage can confirm exact costs for your specific licence mix.
