If you work on macOS and want to go faster on everyday tasks, Microsoft Copilot can be your perfect copilot: Understands natural language, helps you brainstorm, summarizes information, and automates routine tasks in your Microsoft 365 apps and code editor.
In this guide you will learn how to use it practically in Word, Excel, and Teams on Mac, as well as discover how GitHub Copilot speeds up programming in Visual Studio Code. You will also see good practices for asking for things precisely., how it protects privacy (Vision and Memories), and official resources to dig deeper.
What is Microsoft Copilot and why it boosts your productivity on Mac
Microsoft Copilot is an AI-powered assistant that integrates into Microsoft products and the web to reduce time in writing, analysis and organization. It works on macOS through a browser (e.g., Edge) and within apps like Word, Excel, or Teams.
Its model is capable of generating content (text and images), answering questions with recent data and support tasks such as planning projects or managing your schedule. In addition, it applies techniques such as augmented generation recovery (AGR) to provide more up-to-date and contextualized responses.
Among its strengths is the integration with Microsoft 365 applications: Improve writing in Word, analyze data and create charts in Excel, and organize conversations in TeamsAll this with a conversational approach and an always-available assistant.
Copilot can also help you analyze images and documents when you allow it in specific contexts and, at work, provide basic technical support through guided instructions in natural language.
What you can do with Copilot in Microsoft apps on macOS
On Mac, use is straightforward if you already work with Microsoft 365. Just update your browser (Edge is best) and log in with your account. to unlock features in supported apps.
Copilot in Word (Mac)
When you need to tear off a document, you can ask Copilot to generate a first draft of a report, proposal or article, indicating the purpose, audience and the desired tone.
Plus, it saves you steps on recurring tasks: create lists, adjust formatting, and add items (tables, images) with simple instructions, maintaining consistency in the style of the document.
If the page already exists, you can request clarity improvements, rewrites in another record or summaries of sections long, to arrive at a more polished version without wasting time.
Copilot in Excel (Mac)
Describe what you want and Copilot will help you Organize data in tables, create ranges, and apply filters without typing formulas from scratch, ideal when importing new data.
To explore information, ask for analysis suggestions: trends, anomalies, and key metrics. You can even suggest and generate context-appropriate graphics.
If you work with multiple sheets, request Copilot KPI summaries, comparisons and recommendations for presentation, reducing report preparation time.
Copilot in Microsoft Teams (Mac)
In long meetings or chats, Copilot can summarize key points, actions, and decisions so you don't miss anything when you join late or when reviewing agreements.
It also suggests rewrites of messages with better tone or greater clarity, adapting formality and extension depending on the recipient, which helps to communicate accurately.
Content generation, updated search and analysis
Copilot is versatile: it can create creative texts (articles, poems, proposals) or generate images from descriptions, useful for quick mockups or visual ideas.
When you need recent context, Copilot can consult updated information and relevant news, to help you make informed decisions in professional or academic settings.
Learning, time, and career: how it drives you
A good use of Copilot allows you manage time better and plan projects, delegating drafting, summarizing, and editing tasks to keep the strategic focus.
In developing skills, you can ask for routes, Training resources and tips for career advancement, with certification ideas, practical projects, and reference content.
GitHub Copilot: Speed up your code on Mac
GitHub Copilot is the AI assistant for developers that suggests real-time snippets and features depending on the context of your code, reducing friction when programming.
Its capabilities range from smart auto-completion and proposals adapted to libraries and frameworks to optimization alternatives and early error detection.
Installation in Visual Studio Code (macOS)
The recommended flow is simple: Install the latest version of VS Code on macOS, open the extensions view, search for “GitHub Copilot” and install it, then restart the editor.
- Download Visual Studio Code from the official site and install it on macOS.
- Open Extensions (side icon or shortcut) and search for “GitHub Copilot”.
- Install the extension and restart VS Code to activate it.
To get started, make sure Sign in with your GitHub account and adjust the extension preferences (languages, suggestion style, and privacy).
Practical use in the editor
Write comments describing the feature you want and let Copilot propose the skeleton; accept or reject with shortcuts and adapt the solution to your context.
- Generate code from natural language comments.
- Receive examples of useful methods and patterns based on the file.
- Integration into other environments (Visual Studio, Vim, JetBrains).
To refactor, ask for clarity improvements or splitting into smaller functions and Copilot will suggest restructuring and good practices, maintaining the original intention.
How to set up Copilot on Mac to get the most out of it
Before you jump in, update your browser (ideally Edge) and Sign in with your Microsoft 365 account to enable features in Word, Excel, and Teams on macOS.
If you use GitHub Copilot, Check the license and session on GitHub from Visual Studio Code, and define your preferred languages and auto-completion behavior.
Best practices for talking to Copilot
Clear natural language
Write complete and specific requests: state context, desired format and objective; avoid single words and ambiguities to refine your answer.
- Ask complete and specific questions.
- Indicates audience, tone and length limit.
- Use conversational language, without unnecessary jargon.
Provide sufficient context
The more context you provide (data, links, objectives), the more relevant the suggestions will be. Specify whether the use is personal, academic, or business.
- Describe the expected result (report, analysis, image, code).
- Includes restrictions and priorities.
Check results and understand the RAG
Although Copilot is fast, it is convenient review errors and contrast information key with external sources before making decisions or publishing.
Its augmented recovery (RAG) method helps to provide updated information, but it does not replace your review: it validates citations, figures and technical dependencies.
Vision and Memories: Privacy and Context Limits
Copilot Vision works only with what you share in that session (page in Edge, app in Windows or camera in the mobile app). Save the chat transcript to your history, which you can delete at any time.
Important: Copilot does not store screenshots, audio or visual context from Vision outside of the conversation; its scope is temporary and limited to what you allow at that moment.
Memories is different and is available only in Copilot+ PC: If you choose to participate, encrypted snapshots of your screen are taken, stored and analyzed locally on your device.
It acts as the user's private “photo memory” in Copilot+ PC, with privacy control and management options to review or delete content; this is not a macOS feature.
Security, privacy, and cookies when using Copilot from the browser
When you use Copilot on the web, cookies help make everything work work in an agile and personalized way (language, session, preferences), and provide metrics to improve the service.
There are session cookies (they are deleted when you close) and persistent cookies (with an expiration date), own (from the site) or from third parties (external services such as analytics or ads).
Depending on their purpose, they can be technical (basic operations), preferences (remember settings), analysis/measurement (site usage) or behavioral advertising (targeting).
From your browser you can allow, block or delete cookies at any time. Always review the privacy policies and, where applicable, international data transfers of third parties.
If you need to exercise data protection rights (access, rectification, etc.), Check the privacy policy of the site you are using and follow their contact instructions.