How to Use Copilot in OneNote for Efficiency

In this article, I’m going to walk you through how Copilot in OneNote works and show you how to integrate it into your note-taking process.

Key Takeaways:

• Copilot in OneNote enhances productivity by automating tasks like summarizing notes and organizing content.
• It helps structure and categorize disorganized notes efficiently.
• Copilot can quickly transform meeting notes into actionable to-do lists.
• It supports multiple languages, making it versatile for non-English users.
• Ensure your OneNote is up-to-date with the latest Microsoft 365 version to access Copilot.

 

What is Copilot in OneNote?

Copilot is a smart assistant powered by AI, designed to help you interact with OneNote more efficiently. Think of it as a companion that helps you summarize, create content, and automate mundane tasks. It leverages your existing notes to assist with organization, improve readability, and even generate new ideas.

Whether you’re brainstorming for a project, taking meeting notes, or organizing your daily to-do lists, Copilot can significantly boost your productivity. Now, let’s dive into how you can start using Copilot in OneNote.

 

Step by Step on How to use Copilot in OneNote

Accessing Copilot in OneNote

First things first, to use Copilot in OneNote, you’ll need to ensure that you are running Microsoft 365 with the latest updates. If you haven’t updated your OneNote app recently, head over to your Office 365 dashboard and install any pending updates.

Once your OneNote is up-to-date, you can find Copilot within the toolbar. Here’s how you can access it:

STEP 1: Launch the OneNote app on your desktop or through the web version.

STEP 2: Look for the Copilot icon (it may look like a small assistant symbol) at the top of the toolbar.

STEP 3: Clicking on the Copilot icon will activate the assistant, and a sidebar will open on the right side of the screen.

Now that Copilot is enabled, we can move on to using it in various scenarios.

Using Copilot to Summarize Notes

One of the most powerful features of Copilot in OneNote is its ability to summarize long sets of notes into concise bullet points or brief summaries. This feature is especially helpful after meetings or brainstorming sessions when you need to quickly review important takeaways.

Here’s how I use Copilot to summarize my notes:

STEP 1: Select the section or page of notes that you want to summarize.

STEP 2: In the Copilot sidebar, click on the option that says “Summarize Notes.” Copilot will automatically process the highlighted section and generate a summary.

The summary will appear in the sidebar.

You can choose to copy it directly into your notebook or refine it before inserting it into your notes.

I find this feature incredibly useful when I need a quick overview of lengthy documents without having to read through every line again. It saves a ton of time!

Organizing Notes Using Copilot

Keeping notes organized can be challenging, particularly if you’re dealing with multiple projects and tasks. Copilot in OneNote can assist with organizing your notes by suggesting categories, tagging items, and even rearranging content for clarity.

To use Copilot to organize your notes, follow these steps:

STEP 1: Highlight the notes or sections that feel disorganized or scattered.

STEP 2: In the Copilot sidebar, type in a request like, “Organize these notes into categories” or “Help me structure this document.”

Copilot will categorize your content, create headers, and tag relevant items based on the context of your notes.

Once you’re happy with the organization, insert the restructured notes back into your notebook.

This feature is especially useful when working on large projects where there’s a lot of data to sift through. Copilot’s ability to categorize and structure notes helps keep everything neat and easy to navigate.

Automating To-Do Lists with Copilot

Another way I use Copilot is for automating my to-do lists. OneNote is fantastic for keeping track of tasks, but with Copilot, I can automate task creation based on my notes.

Here’s how to automate to-do lists with Copilot:

STEP 1: Select any text in your notes that corresponds to tasks or action items.

STEP 2: In the Copilot sidebar, choose the option that says “Create To-Do List from Notes.” Copilot will extract the action items from your notes and automatically generate a to-do list.

Copilot will present you with the list of tasks it created. You can review, modify, and then insert them directly into your notebook.

I find this feature invaluable when I’m reviewing meeting notes and need to quickly transform them into actionable tasks without manually sifting through everything.

 

FAQs Related to Using Copilot in OneNote

How do I access Copilot in OneNote?

To access Copilot in OneNote, open the OneNote application, and on the Home tab of the ribbon, look for the Copilot icon. Click it to activate. Ensure you have the Copilot extension installed, which is available through the Microsoft Store or the Copilot website, and that you have a compatible Microsoft 365 subscription. Additionally, you can use the keyboard shortcut Alt+H+FX to open the Copilot pane directly. Once opened, sign in with your Microsoft account, if prompted, to start using Copilot’s features.

What are some unique uses for Copilot in my daily note-taking routine?

Copilot can revolutionize your daily routine by helping to create structured meeting minutes from your rough notes or brainstorming sessions and by quickly generating research summaries. Unique uses also include translating notes into different languages, drafting emails based on your meeting notes, and even preparing presentations by organizing your content into a slide-friendly format. Personal uses like planning events or trips can also be enriched, as Copilot can curate itineraries or checklists based on your requirements.

Can Copilot assist in organizing my existing notes?

Absolutely, Copilot can assist in organizing your existing notes. It uses AI to categorize and tag your notes based on content. You can ask Copilot to rearrange notes, merge related topics, or even create new sections for better organization. It’s proficient in sifting through your notebook to find and categorize information, making it easier to navigate and locate specific details.

Is Copilot compatible with other languages besides English?

Yes, Copilot is designed to support multiple languages, although its proficiency may vary depending on the language. Microsoft has been investing in making its AI as inclusive as possible, so it’s constantly updating and expanding its linguistic capabilities to offer broader support. For non-English languages, it’s always advisable to check the latest updates or documentation to ensure that Copilot meets your specific language needs.

How do I enable Copilot in Microsoft?

To enable Copilot in Microsoft, start by connecting your device to the internet. Then, open the Microsoft 365 app or navigate to the Copilot page in the Microsoft 365 admin center if you are an admin. Look for the Copilot settings and toggle the switch to enable Copilot for your Microsoft 365 subscription. Once it’s enabled, you can use Copilot within compatible Microsoft 365 applications like Word, PowerPoint, or Outlook by accessing the Copilot icon or using relevant keyboard shortcuts as these apps are integrated with Copilot features.