How to Develop GPTs with M365 Copilot for Your Organization
You can make your own GPTs in M365 Copilot. You use Copilot Studio to build AI models. These models use your company’s data. GPTs are special agents. Graph connectors only link data sources. Plugins add more features. If you add custom logic to Copilot, you help tasks get done better.
Key Takeaways
Custom GPTs in M365 Copilot use your company’s data. They give special AI help to make work better and more correct.
To make your own GPTs, go to Copilot Studio. Set up your data. Change answers so they fit what your group needs.
It is very important to test your GPT. Try some sample questions. Make sure it gives the right answers before your team uses it.
Security is very important with AI. Set who can use it. Check often to keep private information safe.
Keep checking and updating your GPTs. This helps them work better and match your business goals as they change.
M365 Copilot GPTs
What Are GPTs?
GPTs in M365 Copilot are smart helpers. They use artificial intelligence to answer your questions. These helpers look at your company’s data to help you. GPTs do more than just find information. They can think, study, and write reports for you.
Here is a table that shows what GPTs can do in M365 Copilot:
You may ask how GPTs are not the same as Graph connectors or plugins. Graph connectors only connect your data to M365 Copilot. Plugins add new things to Copilot, like linking other apps. GPTs are agents. They use your data and logic to solve problems and answer questions for you.
Why Use Custom GPTs?
Custom GPTs help your company in many ways. When you make your own GPTs, you teach them with your company’s data. This helps them give answers that fit your work and goals.
Here are some main benefits of custom GPTs:
Tip: Using custom GPTs in M365 Copilot makes your work easier and faster. Your team can get better results with less effort.
Create GPTs
Building your own GPTs in M365 Copilot helps you solve tasks that matter to your organization. You can follow these steps to create a custom GPT that uses your company’s data and logic.
Access Copilot Studio
You need to start in Copilot Studio. This is where you build and manage your GPTs. Here is how you can get access:
Go to the Microsoft 365 admin center and request access to Copilot Studio.
Upgrade to a standalone Copilot Studio subscription if you want all features.
Try the 60-day free trial if you want to explore before making a decision.
Tip: Make sure you have the right permissions from your IT team before you begin.
Start a New Project
Once you have access, you can start a new project. Open Copilot Studio and choose the option to create a new GPT. Give your project a clear name so you and your team can find it later. You can also add a short description to explain what your GPT will do.
Choose a template if you want to save time.
Set your project goals. Decide what tasks you want your GPT to help with.
Invite team members to work with you if you need help.
Set Up Data
Your GPT needs data to work well. You can add your company’s documents, spreadsheets, or other files. M365 Copilot lets you connect to different data sources.
Upload files directly or link to cloud storage.
Organize your data into folders or categories.
Check that your data is up to date and accurate.
Note: Clean data gives you better results. Remove old or duplicate files before you start training your GPT.
Customize Responses
You can teach your GPT how to answer questions and solve problems. Use Copilot Studio to set up rules and examples.
Write sample questions and answers for your GPT to learn from.
Adjust the tone and style of the responses to match your company’s voice.
Test your GPT by asking it real questions. Change the settings if you want different answers.
Remember: You can always go back and update your GPT as your needs change.
M365 Copilot makes it easy to build, train, and improve your own GPTs. You can use these steps to create a smart helper that fits your organization.
Deploy and Optimize
Test Your GPT
You need to test your GPT before you share it with others. Testing helps you find mistakes and make sure your GPT works as you want. Start by using sample questions that your team might ask. Try different types of questions to see how your GPT responds. If you see answers that do not make sense, go back and adjust your data or response settings.
Here are some steps to help you test your GPT:
Ask simple questions and check the answers.
Try more complex questions to see if your GPT can handle them.
Use real company data to make sure the GPT understands your needs.
Ask your team members to test the GPT and give feedback.
Tip: Keep a list of questions and answers during testing. This helps you track what works and what needs fixing.
You can also use the preview feature in Copilot Studio. This lets you see how your GPT will work for users. Make changes as needed until you feel confident in the results.
Roll Out to Users
After testing, you can share your GPT with your team. Start with a small group of users. This helps you catch any last issues before everyone uses it. Give clear instructions on how to use the GPT. Show examples of good questions to ask.
Follow these steps to roll out your GPT:
Pick a pilot group from different departments.
Train the group on how to use the GPT.
Collect feedback from the group and make improvements.
When ready, release the GPT to the whole organization.
Note: Keep communication open. Let users know how to get help or report problems.
Ensure Security
Security is very important when you use AI in your company. You must protect your data and follow company rules. Set permissions so only the right people can use your GPT. Check that your GPT does not share private or sensitive information.
Here are some best practices for security:
Use strong access controls for your GPT.
Review who can see and use the data.
Update your security settings often.
Work with your IT and compliance teams to follow company policies.
You should also train your users on safe practices. Remind them not to share passwords or sensitive data in their questions. Regular training keeps everyone aware of security risks.
Always review your security settings after you update your GPT or add new data.
M365 Copilot gives you tools to manage security and user access. Use these tools to keep your organization’s data safe while you enjoy the benefits of custom AI.
Evaluate Benefits
Key Advantages
Custom GPTs in M365 Copilot give your team many benefits. You can change these AI helpers to fit your team’s needs. You can also match them to your business goals. Custom GPTs let you choose how they work. You pick what data they use.
Here is a table that shows the main advantages:
You get extra tools that help your team work better:
Link GPTs to other apps and data with APIs.
Use code interpreter tools to do math and look at data.
Make pictures for tasks that need images.
Search the web right away.
Handle jobs with many steps and tasks that run by themselves.
Custom GPTs help you work faster. You can see important info right away. This helps you make quick choices. The AI can give answers that match your business. You can add more details and use special actions to get better facts and plans.
Tip: Set clear goals first. Decide what you want to do, try small projects, and check your results. Write down your wins to show value and help future work.
Challenges
You might have some problems when you use custom GPTs. You need to plan well and test your ideas.
Picking good goals takes time. You must choose which jobs and tasks matter most.
Trying new GPTs means you need feedback from users. You should change your models to work better.
Checking results means you look at numbers and what people think. You should write reports to share what you learn and help future projects.
Remember: Good planning and checking your work often help you get the most from custom GPTs in M365 Copilot.
You learned how to build and deploy custom GPTs with M365 Copilot.
Follow these steps to get started:
Access Copilot Studio.
Create your GPT project.
Add and organize your data.
Test and launch your GPT.
Keep your data secure.
Tip: Review your team’s needs before you begin. Update your GPTs often to keep improving results.
FAQ
How do you update your custom GPT in Copilot Studio?
You open Copilot Studio, select your GPT project, and click "Edit." You can add new data, change prompts, or adjust settings. Save your changes to update your GPT.
Can you connect your GPT to other Microsoft 365 apps?
Yes, you can link your GPT to apps like Teams, Outlook, or SharePoint. This helps your GPT use more data and work across your organization.
What should you do if your GPT gives a wrong answer?
Check your data and prompts first. Update or correct them in Copilot Studio. Test your GPT again to make sure it gives the right answer.
Who can access your custom GPT?
You control access in Copilot Studio. Set permissions so only certain users or groups can use your GPT. Always review these settings for security.
Do you need coding skills to build a GPT in Copilot Studio?
No, you do not need to write code. Copilot Studio uses a simple interface. You can build, train, and test your GPT with easy steps.