Do's and Don'ts

Get the most out of your Copilot experience and avoid these common pitfalls by learning what to do, and what not to do when writing prompts.

Do:

  • Be clear and specific. Give Copilot instructions on the topic, purpose, tone, and length.
  • Keep it conversational. Give feedback to help Copilot learn and match your preferences.
  • Give examples. Use clear, specific keywords or phrases to help Copilot generate relevant and creative text.
  • Check for accuracy. Copilot may make mistakes. Always review for accuracy, grammar, style, and inappropriate content.
  • Keep going. If you don't succeed, try again. Refine your question and ask again. Iteration improves results.

Don't:

  • Don't use slang, jargon, or informal language to prevent low-quality or unprofessional responses from Copilot.
  • Avoid conflicting instructions. Giving multiple or conflicting prompts can confuse Copilot and lower response quality.
  • Steer clear of abrupt topic changes. Finish a task before starting a new one. Use "new task" to begin a new task.