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Microsoft 365 Copilot October 6 release notes: PowerPoint custom skills and Cowork analytics

For presentation teams and AI adoption leads, this batch adds reusable presentation workflows and clearer visibility into Cowork use. Check the platform and tenant rollout before planning a team-wide change.

Read the original source 2 min read

What changed

Source summary

Microsoft’s October 6 release-note batch covers changes released between September 22 and October 6, 2026. PowerPoint on Windows adds custom skills for tailored presentation workflows; the Mac version can reference files in SharePoint and OneDrive by document name or owner. Copilot Chat on the web adds Regenerate options including Try Again and Switch Model. Viva Insights adds Cowork adoption and credit-usage analysis through its dashboards and advanced queries. Administrators can edit connector query and identity-mapping rules after setup. Microsoft says deployment is gradual, so availability can differ across tenants and platforms.

Why it matters to your work

Practical interpretation

For presentation teams and AI adoption leads, this batch adds reusable presentation workflows and clearer visibility into Cowork use. Check the platform and tenant rollout before planning a team-wide change.

When this could help

Try a small presentation task before making it a team standard. Review usage alongside feedback from staff.

A reusable presentation instruction can make recurring work more consistent. Adoption data can help identify where support is needed. These are suggested uses, not measured results.

How to get started

  1. In PowerPoint on Windows, open the Copilot pane and select Create custom skill. Test it on a practice presentation.

    Provider guidance ↗

Try this · The SCALA method

Give AI a clearer brief

Situation
I prepare a weekly project update for the same team. I will provide a fictional slide outline and an example of our preferred structure.
Consultant
Act as a presentation editor.
Action
Help me write a reusable instruction for organising confirmed progress, decisions needed and next actions. Preserve unknown owners and dates as unknown. Do not invent results.
Language
Use concise slide headings and plain English. Return the reusable instruction, then a checklist for checking the result.
Ask
Ask what audience, slide structure and source material you need before drafting.

SCALA suggested prompt · Adapt the context and check the result.

Learn the SCALA method →

Build it into your routine

SCALA suggested workflow

  1. Start small

    Choose one low-risk presentation task and test with fictional content.

  2. Check and refine

    Compare the result with your source. Adjust the instruction where it changes meaning or invents commitments.

  3. Agree a team standard

    Have the team review the instruction before reusing it. Keep a named owner and review it when the process changes.

What to check

  • This is the October 6 batch covering September 22–October 6, not a claim that every feature launched on October 6. Source ↗

Sources & provider guides

Official documentation checked 12 Oct 2026. SCALA prompts and workflows are suggestions, not claims of hands-on testing.

Source & availability

This is a summary of a published provider announcement, with practical context from SCALA’s feed.

Plan, region, workspace and rollout conditions may affect access in Australia. Check the original source for current availability.

learn.microsoft.com