Copilot Tips: Intro to Notebooks – Tech Tip for November 3, 2025

In this week’s tech tip, we’re exploring how Microsoft Copilot Notebooks can help you organize ideas, plan projects, and keep your work in one place. Copilot Notebooks let you build structured conversations with AI—giving you space to think, experiment, and create without starting from scratch each time.

Create a New Notebook

The Microsoft Copilot Notebooks feature is available from within Microsoft 365 Copilot in a browser or in the mobile M365 Copilot app. Let’s take a look!

From a Browser or the M365 Copilot App:

• In the Browser App: Start from https://m365.cloud.microsoft/notebooks
• M365 Copilot Mobile App: Start from M365 Copilot home.
  • Select ‘Notebooks’ from the left-hand menu.
  • Alternatively: select the button to ‘Create Copilot Notebook.’
• When Prompted: Give your Notebook a name.
  • Browser App: Select the ‘Add references’ caret to expand the window.
    • Add content for Copilot to reference.
    • Select the ‘Create’ button to create the new Notebook.
  • Mobile App: Add the Notebook name and select ‘Create.’
• Add Instructions:
  • Select the editable field above References and Chats to add context for your space as a whole. Ex. Who is the audience that the Notebook is being tailored for? What is the topic on or where do you want Copilot to focus?
  • Microsoft recommends asking Copilot to ‘focus on a topic, use a specific tone, or respond in a format, such as a bulleted list.’

TIP: A Microsoft 365 Copilot license is required to use Copilot Notebooks. Additionally, accounts must have a SharePoint or OneDrive license (service plan) in order to create notebooks. Copilot Notebooks is also available for Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, and Premium subscribers.

Add References to a Notebook

Adding references helps Copilot understand the context behind your work—whether that’s project notes, reports, or planning documents. References give Copilot the background it needs to produce more relevant, tailored responses.

• Go to Microsoft 365 Copilot (browser or mobile app).
• From the left menu navigation, click ‘Notebooks.’
• Create or select an existing Notebook.
• From the References Tab:
  • Select ‘Add reference’ button to add context for your Notebook to run on.
  • Click ‘New page’ to add a Page (Loop) to your Notebook.
  • Drag and drop content manually in the area provided (web-version only).
• Choose From Options:
  • Search: Enter text to search for specific files if they do not initially appear.
  • Upload: Select from files on your device using File explorer.
  • Link: Add a reference file link and give the reference a descriptive name to easily find it later.
    • Microsoft notes that “Links to supported file types within your Microsoft 365 account can be added and grounded on, but all other links, including web links, aren’t supported.”
  • OneDrive: Explore and choose from Cloud files within your OneDrive.

TIP: Copilot’s Notebooks feature supports the following file reference formats: DOCX, PPTX, XLSX, PDF, Pages (Loop), and more. The drag files area also supports adding links and attaching Cloud files from OneDrive.

TIP: Use OneDrive for quick access to shared or company-managed files. Mobile Notebooks are also great for capturing quick ideas or uploading key documents on the go!

Refine and Build Your Notebook

Once your Notebook and references are setup, you can start building and improving your ideas over time. Each prompt and Copilot response is saved automatically in both mobile and web, so your progress is never lost.

• Prompt with Copilot in your Notebook.
• Review initial responses and note areas that you would like to expand on or clarify.
• Follow-up with Copilot, ex. type, “Can you make this more concise?” or prompt Copilot to “Add an example relevant to more technical audiences or small businesses.”
• Adjust your Notebook: change tone, request summaries or action steps.
• Reopen your Notebook at any time to continue refining or building new sections.
• Generate an audio overview for a Notebook.

TIP: Keep in mind that Copilot needs enough content and context to generate audio. If Copilot does not have enough content, it will advise you to add more files and try again.

Microsoft Copilot Notebooks bring together structure and flexibility—helping you move from ideas to action without losing context. Whether you are drafting a proposal, organizing project notes, or developing new business strategies, Copilot keeps everything connected in one collaborative space. We hope you’ll explore Copilot Notebooks and see how they can simplify your workflow and spark new ways to create and plan!

Reach Out to TechWise Group

Interested in learning more about Microsoft Copilot? Reach out to TechWise Group. We’ll help you make the most of your Microsoft tools.