Copilot Agent Mode in Microsoft 365

• Explain how Agent Mode differs from standard Copilot chat and when to use each
• Confirm your license, app version, and file setup so Agent Mode is available
• Write goal-based prompts that give Agent Mode the outcome, inputs, constraints, and checks it needs
• Review, steer, and refine an agent's plan while it works
• Use Agent Mode in Excel to clean data, build formulas, PivotTables, charts, and summary sheets
• Use Agent Mode in Word to draft, restructure, and polish documents from your own source files
• Use Agent Mode in PowerPoint to build and refresh presentations while staying on your design
• Chain Excel, Word, and PowerPoint into a single reporting workflow
• Verify agent output, recover from mistakes, and follow your organization's data and AI policies

Total course time: 4 hours (including breaks)

Lesson Summaries

Lesson 1: Understanding Agent Mode

Covers how Agent Mode differs from standard Copilot chat, which Microsoft 365 plans include it, how to confirm your app version and file location, how to open Agent Mode in Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, and the plan–act–review cycle every agent task follows.

Lesson 2: Directing an Agent: Goals, Plans, and Iteration

Teaches the five-part prompt structure (outcome, source, rules, format, check), how to read and correct an agent's plan before work begins, how to narrow scope, reference other files and web data, and refine results through follow-up prompts.

Lesson 3: Agent Mode in Excel

Hands-on practice using Agent Mode to clean and standardize data, build formulas and PivotTables, create charts, and produce summary sheets — all from realistic business data files.

Lesson 4: Agent Mode in Word

Practice drafting new sections, restructuring headings, rewriting for tone, and turning raw meeting notes into polished documents using Agent Mode.

Lesson 5: Agent Mode in PowerPoint

Build and refresh presentations, apply consistent layouts, move detail to speaker notes, and update slide content while staying on your organization's design template.

Lesson 6: Cross-App Workflows

Connect Excel, Word, and PowerPoint into a single end-to-end reporting workflow — from data analysis through written summary to final presentation.

Lesson 7: Working Responsibly with Agents

Covers verifying agent output, recovering from mistakes using version history, understanding what data Agent Mode can access, and following your organization's AI and data policies.

SkillForge has been delivering Microsoft training to business professionals since 1998. Our instructors use Agent Mode in their own work and bring real-world examples into every class — not just feature walkthroughs.

This course was developed from our own student manual and is updated as Microsoft releases new Agent Mode capabilities. You practice on realistic business files, not toy examples, so the skills transfer directly to your job.

Every SkillForge course includes post-class support: if you have questions after you return to work, your instructor is available to help.