How to use copilot to summarize a meeting 2026, by AiGuidePath on YouTube. 7 min 57 s.
- Video length
- 7 min 57 s
- Time to do it
- 15 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Open Copilot in your Microsoft 365 app or in Teams, and make sure the meeting you want to summarize has a recording or transcript saved. Copilot needs that text to work from.
Write a prompt that names the meeting, the audience and the output you want. For example: summarize the Q3 planning meeting for the sales team in five bullet points with owners and dates.
Add the details that matter to you: decisions made, action items, open questions and who is responsible. Ask Copilot to list them under separate headings so the recap is easy to scan.
To catch up during a live meeting, ask Copilot what has been discussed so far and what decisions were made. Use the answer to rejoin the conversation instead of reading every message.
For a weekly overview, list the meetings by name and date in one prompt and ask Copilot to combine them into a single summary with themes, decisions and follow-ups.
Turn the recap into a follow-up email by asking Copilot to rewrite the summary as a short message to attendees, with action items and due dates at the end.
Check the summary against the recording or transcript before you send it. Look for wrong names, missed decisions and action items with no owner, since Copilot can leave out or misread details.
Tighten any vague prompt. Replace phrases like tell me about the meeting with specific instructions such as list the three main risks raised and who owns each one.
Tips and common mistakes
Give Copilot a role and a format in every prompt, such as project manager writing a one-page recap with headings.
Ask for action items with an owner and a due date, or you will get a summary with no next steps.
Keep prompts short and specific. Long, rambling prompts tend to produce unfocused summaries.
Always verify names, numbers and decisions against the source before sharing the recap.
Questions
Does Copilot work on any meeting?
It needs a recording or transcript that Copilot can access, usually from a Teams meeting saved in your Microsoft 365 account. Meetings without a transcript cannot be summarized.
Can I summarize several meetings at once?
Yes. List each meeting with its name and date in one prompt and ask for a combined summary with themes and action items. Keep the list short so the answer stays accurate.
Is the summary safe to send without checking?
No. Copilot can miss decisions or mix up names, so read the recap against the transcript before sending it to your team or clients.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
