Microsoft Copilot

Microsoft Copilot includes two AI-powered tools that enhance productivity and creativity across Microsoft 365 applications. Ithaca College provides access to Microsoft Copilot Chat for all users and offers Microsoft 365 Copilot licenses for eligible faculty and staff, with the cost of these licenses paid for by the respective department.

Audience

This article is intended for IC students, faculty, staff, and IC affiliates.

Platform

• Microsoft Copilot Chat (Web and Edge Sidebar, Windows 11, Apple macOS, iOS, Android)
• Microsoft 365 Copilot (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Loop, Teams)

Contents

• Copilot Chat: Getting Started
• Microsoft 365 Copilot: Request and Activate License
• Data and Privacy
• Additional Resources

Copilot Chat: Getting Started

Students, faculty, staff, and IC Affiliates can access Microsoft Copilot Chat using their Ithaca College email address and password.

Access via Web

1. Open a web browser.
2. Go to https://m365.cloud.microsoft/chat
3. Sign in with your Ithaca College credentials if prompted.
4. Enter a prompt or select a built-in suggestion.
5. Click Start a new chat (in the top right corner) to start a new session.

Access via Edge Sidebar

1. Open the Microsoft Edge browser.
2. Click the Copilot icon in the Edge toolbar (in the top right corner).
3. Sign in with your Ithaca College credentials if prompted.
4. Enter a prompt or select a built-in suggestion.
5. Click Start a new chat (in the top right corner) to start a new session.

If the Copilot icon is missing:

1. Go to Settings -> Appearance -> Copilot and sidebar
2. Click Copilot under App specific settings
3. Toggle the button to Show Copilot button on the toolbar

Edge Sidebar Optional Settings

• To allow Copilot to use browser content: Go to Copilot Settings in Microsoft Edge and toggle Allow Copilot to use browser content.
• To allow Copilot to transcribe your video: Go to Copilot Settings in Microsoft Edge and toggle Allow Copilot to transcribe your video.

Microsoft 365 Copilot: Request and Activate License

License Requirements

Microsoft 365 Copilot requires a paid license. Departments may purchase individual licenses for $360/year charged to the department of the requester.

Request a License

1. Individuals may submit a license request via the IC Service Portal.
2. The requester's supervisor will receive an email notification to approve the purchase.
3. The license will be assigned, and charged to the department.
4. Each September, users will be contacted to confirm renewal for the next year.

Activate License (Windows)

1. Type Company Portal into the Search bar on your Taskbar.
2. Open the Company Portal App.
3. Under Recently Published Apps, scroll and select Copilot M365 License. This could take up to 24 hours to appear.
4. Click Install and follow on-screen instructions.
5. Restart your device after installation.
6. Open any Microsoft 365 application and look for the Copilot icon to begin using it.
7. Toggle to the Work icon to access full features.

Activate License (macOS)

• Features will appear automatically in Microsoft 365 apps within 24 hours.
• If features are not visible, restart your device.
• Open any Microsoft 365 application and look for the Copilot icon to begin using it.
• Toggle to the Work icon to access full features.

Microsoft 365 Copilot Features by Application

• Word: Summarizes documents; drafts and rewrites content; improves tone; creates outlines and tables.
• Excel: Suggests formulas; analyzes data; builds charts; explains insights; cleans and transforms data.
• PowerPoint: Creates slides from prompts; suggests designs; summarizes content; adjusts tone and length.
• Outlook: Drafts and replies to emails; summarizes threads; extracts key dates and tasks.
• Teams: Summarizes meetings and chats; identifies action items; drafts agendas; answers missed questions.
• OneNote: Organizes and summarizes notes; generates tasks; supports brainstorming.
• Loop: Summarizes collaborative pages; creates tables and lists; helps brainstorm and organize ideas.
• Whiteboard: Organizes group input; generates diagrams; summarizes visual collaboration. (Emerging feature)
• Copilot Agents (via Copilot Chat or Studio): Automates workflows with customizable AI agents.

Data and Privacy

• When signed in with your Ithaca College account, enterprise data protection applies.
• Your prompts and responses are protected and not used to train AI models.
• For more information about enterprise data protection, refer to Copilot's Privacy and Protections (microsoft.com).
• See also information form Ithaca College on Data Protection Considerations when using Generative AI Tools.
• To confirm you're using Copilot with enterprise data protection, visit https://copilot.cloud.microsoft.com and look for the green "Protected" shield icon in the top right corner, as seen below.

Additional Resources

If you have any questions feel free to contact the Project Management and Process Innovation team for a consultation. See the following resources for further information.

• Microsoft Copilot (microsoft.com)
• Microsoft Copilot Prompt Library (microsoft.com)
• Copilot: AI Prompt Writing 101 (microsoft.com)
• Microsoft Copilot Resources for Education (microsoft.com)
• Copilot Quick Start Guide (microsoft.com)
• Get Started with Copilot for Microsoft 365 (microsoft.com)
• How To Write Effective Prompts (microsoft.com)
• Microsoft Copilot video tutorials (microsoft.com)
• AI Pilot Training video | PowerPoint slides