Drafting Professional Presentations from Scratch Using Microsoft Copilot in PowerPoint

Open PowerPoint and start a new presentation

Open the PowerPoint app on your computer or go to PowerPoint on the web. Click New blank presentation to start with a blank slide deck.

You’ll see a single slide titled “Click to add title.” The ribbon at the top shows tabs like Home, Insert, and Design.

If you don’t see the Home tab, look for a menu at the top with words like File, Home, or View.

You'll know it worked when you see a blank slide with a title and subtitle placeholder.

Open Copilot in the PowerPoint ribbon

On the Home tab in the ribbon, look for a button labeled Copilot (it looks like a sparkle or a chat bubble with stars). Click it to open the Copilot pane on the right side of your screen.

You’ll see a chat box that says “Ask me anything about this document.” This is where you’ll type your instructions.

If you don’t see the Copilot button, make sure you’re using the latest version of PowerPoint. Look for File > Account > Update Options > Update Now.

You'll know it worked when the Copilot pane opens on the right with a blinking cursor ready for your prompt.

Help me create a presentation about the benefits of remote work for a team of 20 software developers.

Give Copilot a clear prompt to generate an outline

In the Copilot chat box, type a clear, specific prompt. Include:

• Your topic
• Your audience
• Any key points you want covered

After you press Enter, Copilot will process your request and show a message like “Generating outline…” in the pane.

You’ll see a new section titled Outline appear in the Copilot pane, with 4–6 suggested slide titles and bullet points.

If the outline isn’t quite right, you can type:

Add a slide about work-life balance and another about team collaboration tools.

You'll know it worked when you see a structured outline with slide titles and bullet points in the Copilot pane.

Create an outline for a 10-minute presentation on 'How Remote Work Boosts Developer Productivity'. Include slides on flexibility, tools, and team culture.

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Insert the outline into your slides

Click the Add to presentation button under the outline in the Copilot pane. Copilot will automatically create new slides based on the outline.

You’ll see your slide deck grow from one blank slide to 5–7 slides with titles and bullet points.

If the slides look too plain, don’t worry—you can edit them later. If the Copilot pane disappears, click the Copilot button again to reopen it.

You'll know it worked when you see multiple slides with titles and bullet points in your deck.

Ask Copilot to generate speaker notes for each slide

Select the first slide. In the Copilot pane, type:

Add speaker notes to this slide explaining the benefits of remote work for developers.

Copilot will write 2–3 sentences of speaker notes under the slide. Repeat this for each slide by selecting it and asking Copilot to add notes.

You’ll see a small note icon appear on each slide. Click the icon to read the notes.

If speaker notes don’t appear, make sure you’ve selected the slide first. If Copilot doesn’t respond, refresh the pane or check your internet connection.

You'll know it worked when you see speaker notes appear under each slide.

Speaker notes: Remote work lets developers choose their most productive hours. Studies show 60% of developers report higher focus at home. Mention our recent productivity report from Q2.

Refine content with follow-up prompts

With the outline and notes in place, ask Copilot to improve or expand any slide. For example:

Rewrite the slide titled 'Team Collaboration Tools' to include specific examples like Microsoft Teams and GitHub.

Copilot will update the slide content in real time. You can also ask it to:

• Shorten the text
• Add a quote
• Include a data point

You’ll see the slide content change immediately after you press Enter.

If Copilot doesn’t update the slide, try clicking Refresh in the Copilot pane or re-selecting the slide.

You'll know it worked when the slide content updates to match your new prompt.

Add a quote from Satya Nadella about remote work culture to the last slide.

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Export or present your presentation

When you’re happy with the slides, save your presentation (File > Save As). To present, click Slide Show > From Current Slide or press F5.

You’ll see your slides full-screen, ready to present.

If you want to share it, go to File > Share > Send a Copy to export as PDF or PowerPoint file.

You'll know it worked when you can present or share a complete, professional-looking deck.