Microsoft Copilot Wave 2 Announcements: New Features Means New Capabilities

September 17, 2024

Yesterday, Microsoft rolled out its highly anticipated Wave 2 announcements for Copilot, unveiling several new features that promise to revolutionize how businesses and individuals interact with the suite of Microsoft 365 tools. From enhanced functionalities in Excel to powerful new tools in Outlook and SharePoint, these updates are all about harnessing the power of AI to boost productivity, creativity, and collaboration. Here’s a closer look at the key announcements:

Excited man with megaphone and Copilot on his phone screen

1. Copilot Pages

One of the standout features of the latest wave is Copilot Pages, a tool designed to help users organize and manage information more efficiently. Copilot Pages leverages AI to summarize, structure, and display information in an easily digestible format, making it easier for users to navigate through complex data and documents. This feature is particularly useful for project managers, team leads, and anyone who deals with large volumes of data daily, offering a new way to create dynamic and informative dashboards.

2. Copilot in Excel is Now Generally Available (GA)

Microsoft’s Copilot in Excel, which had been in preview for some time, is now generally available. This means that all Excel users can access the power of AI directly within their spreadsheets. Copilot in Excel provides intelligent insights, automates repetitive tasks, and helps users analyze data more effectively. From generating complex formulas to offering data-driven recommendations, this tool is set to significantly reduce the time and effort spent on data analysis, making Excel smarter and more intuitive.

3. Copilot in Excel with Python – Public Preview

For those who work with data science and advanced analytics, the announcement of Copilot in Excel with Python entering public preview is a game-changer. This integration allows users to run Python scripts directly within Excel, enabling more sophisticated data manipulation and analysis capabilities. Whether it’s performing complex statistical analysis, building machine learning models, or automating data workflows, Python in Excel opens up a new realm of possibilities for power users and data enthusiasts.

4. Narrative Builder with Copilot in PowerPoint

Creating compelling presentations just got easier with the introduction of Narrative Builder powered by Copilot in PowerPoint. This feature helps users craft engaging stories and presentations by suggesting content, designing layouts, and even creating visual elements based on the context of the slides. With AI-driven narrative suggestions, users can focus more on the message they want to convey rather than the mechanics of designing slides, ultimately making presentations more impactful and less time-consuming to produce.

5. Prioritize My Inbox with Copilot in Outlook

Managing an overflowing inbox can be one of the most daunting tasks in any professional’s day. Copilot in Outlook now offers a “Prioritize My Inbox” feature that uses AI to categorize and prioritize emails based on their importance, context, and the user’s preferences. This intelligent sorting system helps users focus on what matters most, ensuring critical communications don’t get lost in the noise. Whether it’s filtering out less important emails or highlighting urgent matters, this feature aims to make email management less overwhelming and more efficient.

6. Copilot Studio Agent Builder

The Copilot Studio Agent Builder is a new tool designed to empower organizations to create customized AI-driven agents tailored to their unique needs. This low-code/no-code platform allows businesses to develop Copilot agents that can perform specific tasks, automate workflows, and integrate seamlessly with existing systems. From customer service bots to internal process automation, Copilot Studio Agent Builder provides endless opportunities for companies to enhance their operational efficiency and deliver a better user experience.

7. Copilot Agents in SharePoint

Lastly, Microsoft introduced Copilot Agents in SharePoint, which aims to transform how teams collaborate and manage content within the platform. These AI-powered agents assist in content creation, organization, and discovery, helping users find relevant information faster and more intuitively. By understanding the context and relevance of content, Copilot Agents can suggest documents, automate routine tasks, and provide insights that drive better decision-making and collaboration across teams.

Conclusion

The Wave 2 announcements for Microsoft Copilot bring a slew of powerful new capabilities across the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, reinforcing Microsoft’s commitment to leveraging AI to enhance productivity and collaboration. From Copilot Pages and Narrative Builder to the advanced functionalities of Copilot in Excel with Python, these tools are set to redefine how users interact with data, collaborate on projects, and manage their daily workflows. As these features roll out, businesses and individuals alike can look forward to a more intuitive, efficient, and AI-powered Microsoft 365 experience.

Stay tuned as these features continue to evolve, and start exploring how they can transform the way you work today! And have any questions about Copilot (or any other Microsoft solution), feel free to reach out directly to me at [email protected]

 

Chris Hinch

Chris Hinch

Microsoft Practice Director & Microsoft MVP

Chris has been working in the IT industry for close to 25 years and is an expert Microsoft strategist and a technical leader. Chris is passionate about helping customers achieve their business goals and solve their challenges with innovative solutions. He enjoys working with talented teams and collaborating with partners across the globe.
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