<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?><!-- generator=Zoho Sites --><rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"><channel><atom:link href="https://www.handyandymedia.com/blogs/tag/microsoft/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><title>Handy Andy Media - Blog #Microsoft</title><description>Handy Andy Media - Blog #Microsoft</description><link>https://www.handyandymedia.com/blogs/tag/microsoft</link><lastBuildDate>Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:27:16 -0700</lastBuildDate><generator>http://zoho.com/sites/</generator><item><title><![CDATA[AI Upskilling with Microsoft 365 Co-pilot]]></title><link>https://www.handyandymedia.com/blogs/post/ai-upskilling-with-microsoft-365-co-pilot</link><description><![CDATA[<img align="left" hspace="5" src="https://www.handyandymedia.com/microsoft_365_copilot-logo_brandlogos.net_h3z8h.png"/>Microsoft 365 Copilot is an AI assistant that works alongside the Microsoft 365 apps you use every day. Here's why you should think about AI upskilling in 2026.]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_MItv1Iq5RIOn8de97YdNLA" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_kOjGPvX6TI6dJ5zqGoyCNA" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_fEg1-zPDQduJ6xBFk7Yttw" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_rkf27FVpY3cDotSlhL2KNw" data-element-type="image" class="zpelement zpelem-image "><style> @media (min-width: 992px) { [data-element-id="elm_rkf27FVpY3cDotSlhL2KNw"] .zpimage-container figure img { width: 500px ; height: 500.00px ; } } </style><div data-caption-color="" data-size-tablet="" data-size-mobile="" data-align="center" data-tablet-image-separate="false" data-mobile-image-separate="false" class="zpimage-container zpimage-align-center zpimage-tablet-align-center zpimage-mobile-align-center zpimage-size-medium zpimage-tablet-fallback-fit zpimage-mobile-fallback-fit hb-lightbox " data-lightbox-options="
                type:fullscreen,
                theme:dark"><figure role="none" class="zpimage-data-ref"><span class="zpimage-anchor" role="link" tabindex="0" aria-label="Open Lightbox" style="cursor:pointer;"><picture><img class="zpimage zpimage-style-none zpimage-space-none " src="/microsoft_365_copilot-logo_brandlogos.net_h3z8h.png" size="medium" data-lightbox="true"/></picture></span></figure></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_WrHccyLMero5JonZ1WwCzw" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h2
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><span>Upskill Your Workflow in 2026</span><br/></h2></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_Md34hltCxWx2hJzyu44Z7g" data-element-type="iframe" class="zpelement zpelem-iframe "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpiframe-container zpiframe-align-center"><iframe class="zpiframe " src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0T1nkhYB-Gc?si=JUqf4swI3XCYXyjz" width="560" height="315" align="center" allowfullscreen frameBorder="0" title="YouTube video player"></iframe></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_uYOA7x8otg9m4WkgIbRVwQ" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><p></p><div> AI is here to stay, and the way we work is changing quickly. The big question for businesses is letting their employees use AI securely. The answer for most businesses, big and small, is Microsoft 365 Copilot. It brings AI into the apps people already use at work like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. By using it, you can brainstorm faster, summarize smarter, and deliver polished work in less time.&nbsp; </div>
<div><br/></div><div> Below I’ll show handy tips to make the most out of Microsoft 365 Copilot. I'm using it everyday now, and I encourage everyone to try it out. If you're already working inside the Microsoft ecosystem, I'll show you some prompt examples to try. I've also included links to free AI training resources below. So in 2026, get serious about AI upskilling by learning what Microsoft 365 Copilot can do.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</div>
<p></p></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_mkqwLt_7Vk_979e2_NeBqw" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h2
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true">AI upskilling explained</h2></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_-xkvEbFXVmUDQIxG8_k7_Q" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><p></p><div><div> When I say AI upskilling, I’m talking about changing how you get work done, with help from AI. We these new Microsoft 365 Copilot skills, you'll improve the quality of research, writing, analysis, and presentations you deliver. Microsoft 365 Copilot runs where you already work and respects your existing data permissions. You just need to know how to use it. If you have the will to learn, I'll show you some Microsoft 365 Copilot tips I've learned from my own experiences. First, let's explain what it can do.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</div>
</div><p></p></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_jmkbiIWVeZeTxdFBBnQ9-g" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h2
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><span>What Microsoft 365 Copilot actually does</span><br/></h2></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_8D5o0liee5StHNvoc9xqnQ" data-element-type="iframe" class="zpelement zpelem-iframe "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpiframe-container zpiframe-align-center"><iframe class="zpiframe " src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3PpMHVZF9sY?si=-Mz1f09PS4gUjs6K" width="560" height="315" align="center" allowfullscreen frameBorder="0" title="YouTube video player"></iframe></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_ciaGXyAuf1qcqOHISBIm5w" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><p></p><div> Copilot is an AI assistant that works alongside the Microsoft 365 apps you use every day. Ask it to draft, summarize, transform, or analyze your files, emails, and documents. It weaves in the right context from your documents, emails, meetings, and chats to produce relevant results. This is all done with your permission so you have full control on what you want it to do. Think of yourself as a Manager, and Microsoft 365 Copilot as someone who reports to you. Your job is manage their work, and output. It can do so much on your behalf if you take advantage of it. You'll then have more time and energy to focus on the big picture stuff, rather than drafting PowerPoint presentations from scratch. Those days are long gone.&nbsp;</div>
<div><br/></div><div> Here's where Microsoft 365 Copilot can help right away in your daily work life: </div>
<div><br/></div><div><div><div><li><strong>Word:</strong> Draft proposals, rewrite in a specific tone, or generate executive summaries.&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Excel:</strong> Explain formulas, spot trends, and create charts from plain‑language prompts.&nbsp;</li><li><strong>PowerPoint:</strong> Turn a brief or a Word doc into a deck with speaker notes and design suggestions.&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Outlook:</strong> Summarize long email threads and draft on‑brand replies.&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Teams:</strong> Recap meetings with decisions and action items you can share instantly.</li></div>
</div></div><p></p></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_azsKAU6FD-h5vAVBdOBCIg" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h2
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><span>Try these prompts for Microsoft 365 Copilot</span></h2></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_zcLV8imIMyb5b7oMYjbwzQ" data-element-type="image" class="zpelement zpelem-image "><style> @media (min-width: 992px) { [data-element-id="elm_zcLV8imIMyb5b7oMYjbwzQ"] .zpimage-container figure img { width: 1110px ; height: 634.29px ; } } </style><div data-caption-color="" data-size-tablet="" data-size-mobile="" data-align="center" data-tablet-image-separate="false" data-mobile-image-separate="false" class="zpimage-container zpimage-align-center zpimage-tablet-align-center zpimage-mobile-align-center zpimage-size-fit zpimage-tablet-fallback-fit zpimage-mobile-fallback-fit hb-lightbox " data-lightbox-options="
                type:fullscreen,
                theme:dark"><figure role="none" class="zpimage-data-ref"><span class="zpimage-anchor" role="link" tabindex="0" aria-label="Open Lightbox" style="cursor:pointer;"><picture><img class="zpimage zpimage-style-none zpimage-space-none " src="/1920x1080-Copilot-Blog-Image.jpg" size="fit" data-lightbox="true"/></picture></span></figure></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_r9Z50Eijy1ztalN8FkHvOw" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><p></p><div><div><p>Drop these into Copilot (adjust the bracketed bits):</p><ol><li><p><strong>Client prep (Word/Outlook/Teams):&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></p></li><li><p><em>“From the attached file and my last 3 email threads with [Client], create a one‑page brief with goals, open questions, decisions made, and next steps. Keep it in my voice.”</em>&nbsp;</p></li><li><p><strong>Data pulse check (Excel):</strong><br/><em>“Analyze [this workbook] and list top 5 trends, anomalies, and likely drivers. Visualize each as a chart.”</em>&nbsp;</p></li><li><p><strong>Deck build (PowerPoint):</strong><br/><em>“Turn the attached Word doc into a 10‑slide executive deck with a strong opener, 3 key insights, and a call‑to‑action slide.”</em>&nbsp;</p></li><li><p><strong>Inbox triage (Outlook):</strong><br/><em>“Summarize this thread in 5 bullets, tag the risks, and draft a reply proposing next steps.”</em></p></li></ol></div>
</div><p></p></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_r-pRBgimfroK9gW8KIiesQ" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h2
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><span>What about privacy and security?</span></h2></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_bSwsANQnUmOd4RXSZhpSfg" data-element-type="image" class="zpelement zpelem-image "><style> @media (min-width: 992px) { [data-element-id="elm_bSwsANQnUmOd4RXSZhpSfg"] .zpimage-container figure img { width: 612px !important ; height: 408px !important ; } } </style><div data-caption-color="" data-size-tablet="" data-size-mobile="" data-align="center" data-tablet-image-separate="false" data-mobile-image-separate="false" class="zpimage-container zpimage-align-center zpimage-tablet-align-center zpimage-mobile-align-center zpimage-size-original zpimage-tablet-fallback-fit zpimage-mobile-fallback-fit hb-lightbox " data-lightbox-options="
                type:fullscreen,
                theme:dark"><figure role="none" class="zpimage-data-ref"><span class="zpimage-anchor" role="link" tabindex="0" aria-label="Open Lightbox" style="cursor:pointer;"><picture><img class="zpimage zpimage-style-none zpimage-space-none " src="/images/internet-security-and-data-protection-concept-blockchain.jpg" size="original" data-lightbox="true"/></picture></span></figure></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_XC9wLTAKZefHBrR9p7GF7g" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><p></p><div><div> The fact is, people are already using AI at work. But for businesses, privacy and security around AI usage is particularly important. Copilot respects your existing permissions and doesn’t use your prompts or responses to train foundation models. This is critical for businesses with employees who use AI in the workplace. With Microsoft 365 Copilot, prompts and responses are protected under Microsoft’s enterprise data commitments. In short, Copilot applies security, compliance, and auditing controls you already rely on in Microsoft 365. The important thing is getting employees to use it rather than other AI tools in the office. It's already inside Microsoft 365, everyone just needs to take advantage of it. To do that, you first need to learn how to use it.&nbsp;</div>
</div><p></p></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_E-asKvWO0sZnQ9PePymCNg" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h2
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true">Free AI learning resources</h2></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_D4fLAHTzOhDyEmutxlBthw" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><p>Microsoft provides a lot of free resources to learn how to use AI and Microsoft 365 Copilot. Here's several links that can help you get started on your AI learning path:</p><p><br/></p><p></p><li><strong><a href="http://aiskillsnavigator.microsoft.com/" title="AI Skills Navigator" target="_blank" rel="">AI Skills Navigator</a></strong>&nbsp;- Start a tailored AI learning path.&nbsp;</li><li><strong><a href="learn.microsoft.com/copilot/microsoft-365">Microsoft 365 Copilot Hub</a></strong>&nbsp;- Docs, deployment, scenarios, and comparison of Copilot Chat vs. Copilot.&nbsp;</li><li><strong><a href="https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/copilot/microsoft-365/copilot-prompt-gallery" title="Copilot Prompt Gallery" target="_blank" rel="">Copilot Prompt Gallery</a></strong>&nbsp;- Microsoft’s prompt collections and tutorials.&nbsp;</li><li><strong><a href="https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/paths/get-started-with-microsoft-365-copilot/" title="Get started with Microsoft 365 Copilot" target="_blank" rel="">Get started with Microsoft 365 Copilot</a></strong>&nbsp;- Free learning path (≈90 minutes).&nbsp;</li><li><strong><a href="https://adoption.microsoft.com/en-us/copilot/smb/success-kit/" title="SMB Success Kit" target="_blank" rel="">SMB Success Kit</a></strong>&nbsp;- Adoption tools for small and midsize businesses.&nbsp;</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/microsoft-365-copilot/business" title="Microsoft 365 Copilot Business (for SMBs)" target="_blank" rel="">Microsoft 365 Copilot Business (for SMBs)</a></strong>&nbsp;- Product page and offer details. &nbsp;&nbsp;</li><p></p></div>
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