Genealogy Made Easier with Microsoft Copilot: Research, Organize, and Write Faster

Integrating artificial intelligence into family history research can revolutionize how historical records are processed, analyzed, and presented. In this practical webinar hosted by Natalie Webb from Family Tree Technology, researchers learn how Microsoft Copilot—the AI assistant built directly into Microsoft Office applications—can streamline everyday genealogical workflows. By using Copilot within familiar applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, genealogists can effortlessly transcribe historical documents, format data into custom research templates, and generate visual timelines without purchasing additional software.

• Tailored Application Strengths: Microsoft Copilot functions differently depending on the specific application being used. Word excels at transcribing complex historical documents, translating text, and writing narrative summaries. Excel organizes raw data into structured rows, performs calculations, and manages detailed spreadsheets. PowerPoint focuses on visual storytelling, making it the preferred tool for generating timeline graphics and image-based presentations.
• Automated Data Formatting and Custom Templates: Instead of manually typing and reformatting record details, researchers can instruct Copilot to convert unstructured transcriptions directly into organized spreadsheet rows. Copilot can also automatically generate custom genealogical templates in Excel—such as census extraction forms, research logs, source citation trackers, and client project managers—saving substantial time during data entry.
• Flexible Timeline Visualization: Processing the same record data across different programs yields distinct visualization results. Copilot in Excel creates comprehensive tabular timelines featuring exact dates, events, and source details, whereas Copilot in PowerPoint asks interactive design questions to build sleek, customizable graphical slides tailored for visual sharing.

To see live demonstrations, prompt examples, and step-by-step navigation for finding and using Copilot across Microsoft Office, view the full webinar to unlock the full efficiency of AI-powered family history research. Genealogists are also invited to explore the additional resources included in the course syllabus to deepen their understanding and seamlessly integrate these modern tools into their research process.