Microsoft Copilot can help you create more than a single AI-generated picture. Depending on the features available to your account, the Copilot app’s Create experience can produce images, banners, posters, infographics, and visual stories. Microsoft’s October 2026 tutorial also walks through a practical sequence: generate an image from a description, turn key points into a one-page infographic, and transform an existing document into a multi-page visual story that can be exported to PowerPoint.

This guide explains how to use those workflows, how to write prompts that lead to more useful results, and what to check before sharing the output. Menu names and available options can vary by account, subscription, organization settings, and service availability, so use the official Microsoft instructions linked below if your interface differs.

If you are comparing image tools before starting, see our guide to the best free AI image generators in 2026. For stronger instructions across image-generation tools, read how to write better AI image prompts.

What you can make with Microsoft Copilot

The Copilot Create experience is useful when you need a visual asset quickly and want to refine it without starting from scratch. Microsoft documents several types of output:

  • AI-generated images: create a scene, illustration, or concept from a written description.
  • Infographics: organize a few key facts, goals, comparisons, or steps into a visual summary.
  • Visual stories: transform a supported document into a multi-page visual narrative.
  • Banners and posters: make promotional or informational graphics from a prompt or template.
  • Edited images: upload or select an image and request targeted changes when the feature is available.

These outputs solve different problems. An image is usually best for communicating one idea or setting a mood. An infographic is better for explaining a small set of facts. A visual story can help turn a longer report or project summary into pages that are easier to present or discuss.

Microsoft’s official starting points are Get started with Create in the Microsoft Copilot app, Create an Infographic with the Microsoft Copilot app, and its updated tutorial for images, infographics, and visual stories.

Before you start: check account access

First, open the Microsoft Copilot app and sign in with the account you intend to use. Depending on the feature and account type, access may be available through a work or school account or an eligible Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, Premium, or Pro subscription. Some work or school features depend on the licenses and settings enabled by the organization’s administrator. A feature may also be limited by service availability or usage limits.

Look for Create, Apps and more, or the relevant image or infographic option. Microsoft’s interface may change, so do not assume every account will display identical buttons. If you cannot find a feature, check the current Microsoft Support article for that exact workflow and verify your account eligibility before troubleshooting further.

For visual stories created from a file, Microsoft describes using a document stored in OneDrive or SharePoint. Choose a source document with a clear narrative: a project report, product overview, company history, research summary, or onboarding document is usually easier to transform than a file containing unrelated fragments.

1. Create an AI image from a text prompt

Step 1: Open the image creation tool

In the Copilot app, open the Create area and choose the image option. Depending on your interface, you may be able to start from a template or enter a prompt directly. If you are using a template, treat its suggested prompt as a starting point rather than a restriction; adjust it to match the intended use.

Step 2: Describe the image in a structured way

A useful prompt typically includes five ingredients:

  1. Subject: the person, object, place, or concept that should dominate the image.
  2. Setting and action: what is happening and where.
  3. Composition: camera angle, framing, and where the main subject should appear.
  4. Style and lighting: for example, editorial photography, flat illustration, soft studio light, or a cinematic scene.
  5. Purpose and constraints: where the image will be used, what must be visible, and what should be avoided.

For example, instead of entering “AI technology,” try:

Create a polished editorial image for a technology article: a compact modern data center with illuminated server racks, a subtle abstract AI network represented by glass-like connected shapes, deep navy and teal lighting, realistic materials, a clean wide composition, the main subject on the right, and uncluttered negative space on the left for a headline. Do not include text, logos, or watermarks.

The second prompt explains what the picture is for and how it should be arranged. This matters for blog headers, presentation slides, banners, and social graphics where the subject must remain clear at a smaller size.

Step 3: Generate, inspect, and refine

Generate the first version, then inspect it against the original brief. Do not judge it only by whether it looks attractive. Ask whether the main subject is correct, the composition fits the intended placement, and any important details are present.

Use focused follow-up instructions. For example:

  • “Keep the subject and overall composition, but make the background simpler.”
  • “Move the main object farther to the right and leave more empty space on the left.”
  • “Use softer daylight and reduce the reflections.”
  • “Make the illustration more suitable for a professional presentation.”
  • “Remove the decorative objects that compete with the main subject.”

Changing one or two things at a time makes it easier to see what improved the result. If a revision changes too much, return to the previous version or restate the elements that must remain unchanged, where the tool supports that workflow.

Step 4: Save the result

When the image is suitable, use the available save, copy, or download control. Check the saved file before publishing it. Confirm that it has the expected crop, that important details are not cut off, and that it does not contain accidental text or visual artifacts.

If the image will be used on a website, make sure its dimensions and file format fit your publishing workflow. Keep an original copy before making further edits, especially for client work or recurring brand assets.

2. Create an infographic with Microsoft Copilot

An infographic should make information easier to understand, not merely decorate it. Start with a small set of verified points and decide what relationship the visual needs to communicate: a list of goals, a timeline, a comparison, or a sequence of steps.

Step 1: Prepare the source information

Write three to five key points before opening the tool. Keep each point short and make sure figures, dates, and claims are accurate. If the infographic will summarize a report or spreadsheet, identify the exact facts that should be included rather than asking Copilot to invent metrics.

For example, a project infographic could contain three milestones, the date for each milestone, and one sentence describing the result. A product comparison could list three criteria and a short explanation for each. More content is not always better; crowded infographics are difficult to read on mobile screens.

Step 2: Open the Infographic option

In the Copilot app’s Create area, select the infographic option. Depending on the interface, you may be able to choose a template, add source content, select colors, choose a type, and set the output size. Microsoft’s documented infographic types include goals and lists, timelines, and comparisons. Available choices can vary by account.

Step 3: Write a prompt with a clear hierarchy

Tell Copilot what the infographic should explain, who will read it, how the information should be grouped, and what visual style to use.

Example prompt:

Create a clean one-page infographic for small-business owners explaining a five-step AI content workflow: define the audience, research reliable sources, draft the content, fact-check every claim, and review the final design. Use five clearly numbered sections, concise labels, simple professional icons, strong contrast, generous spacing, and a modern editorial style. Do not invent statistics or add claims that are not listed.

This prompt defines the audience, structure, tone, and accuracy constraint. For a comparison, specify the criteria and the exact options to compare. For a timeline, provide the events and dates. If you have not supplied trustworthy figures, do not ask for a data-heavy infographic that could encourage the model to fill gaps with invented numbers.

Step 4: Choose the layout and refine it

Choose a layout that suits the information. A timeline works for events in chronological order; a comparison layout works when readers need to evaluate alternatives; a list is often better for grouped recommendations or steps. Select portrait or wide dimensions according to where the infographic will be shown, when those options are available.

Review the result for missing items, duplicated labels, misleading relationships, poor contrast, and text that is too small. Ask for a specific correction rather than a vague “make it better.” For example: “Keep all five steps, increase the space between sections, and make each label shorter.” If the tool allows text or visual editing, use those controls for targeted adjustments.

Step 5: Verify every claim

Treat an AI-generated infographic as a draft, not an authoritative data source. Check names, dates, percentages, calculations, and causal statements against the source material. Pay particular attention to tiny labels and numbers because visual polish can make an incorrect claim look convincing.

Once reviewed, use the available save-and-copy or download option. Microsoft’s official infographic instructions describe the current workflow and its available options.

3. Turn a document into a multi-page visual story

A visual story is different from a single infographic. It organizes a longer source into multiple pages with a narrative flow. This can be useful for an internal project update, an onboarding overview, a product story, or a concise presentation based on a report.

Step 1: Choose a suitable document

Select a file in OneDrive or SharePoint that contains a clear story. A useful source usually has a beginning, a few important developments, and a conclusion or next step. A project report might include the original problem, the approach, key milestones, outcomes, and recommendations.

Before uploading or selecting a file, check whether it contains confidential or personal information. Follow your organization’s policies and account settings. Do not upload material to an AI service unless you are authorized to do so.

Step 2: Add the file and define the audience

Open the visual-story workflow and select the source file. Tell Copilot who the pages are for and what the audience needs to understand. “Summarize this report” is often too vague. A more useful instruction identifies the reader, purpose, and emphasis.

Example prompt:

Turn this project report into a concise visual story for senior managers. Organize it into a clear sequence covering the original challenge, three major milestones, measurable results stated in the source, lessons learned, and recommended next steps. Use concise headings, a professional editorial style, and readable layouts. Do not add facts or metrics that are not present in the document.

If the story is for new employees, ask for background and context. If it is for a customer presentation, emphasize the problem, solution, and verified outcomes. The same source can support different stories, but the prompt should make the intended audience explicit.

Step 3: Choose the style, branding, and size

Where the workflow offers these controls, select a style, color palette or brand, and page size before generating. If your organization has an approved brand kit and your account has access to it, use the official colors and visual assets rather than approximating them in a prompt.

A consistent visual system makes a multi-page story feel connected. Use a limited palette, repeat heading styles, and avoid changing the visual language on every page. Choose a format that suits the final use: a presentation may need wide pages, while another use may benefit from portrait layouts.

Step 4: Review each page and the complete narrative

Inspect each page individually, then review the full sequence. A page may look good on its own but feel out of place in the story. Check that the pages follow a logical order, that key points from the source are represented, and that important caveats have not disappeared.

If a page needs improvement, use the available page-editing option or give a targeted instruction. For example: “Shorten this page to three key takeaways,” “Make the milestone dates easier to scan,” or “Use the same visual style as the previous page.” Verify that the revision has not removed a necessary fact.

Step 5: Export or save

Microsoft’s tutorial describes reviewing the complete story and exporting it to PowerPoint, or using the available save-and-copy option. After export, open the presentation and inspect the slides rather than assuming the exported version is perfect. Check fonts, alignment, text overflow, image crops, and whether the order still makes sense.

For a presentation that will be shared externally, confirm all claims and remove any source material that should not be disclosed.

4. Prompt templates you can reuse

The following templates are starting points. Replace the bracketed details with your own information and verify the final result.

Blog or website image

Create a [visual style] image about [main subject] for a [type of page]. Place the main subject [position], use [lighting and palette], and leave [area] uncluttered for optional headline placement. Use a [wide/portrait/square] composition. Avoid logos, watermarks, and unnecessary text.

Business infographic

Create a [portrait/wide] infographic for [audience] explaining [topic]. Organize the supplied information into [list/timeline/comparison]. Include these points only: [verified points]. Use concise labels, readable type, clear visual hierarchy, and [brand colors or style]. Do not invent statistics or dates.

Document-based visual story

Turn the supplied [report/project summary/document] into a multi-page visual story for [audience]. Structure it around [sections or milestones]. Emphasize [key message], preserve important caveats, and use only facts found in the source. Apply a consistent [style] with [palette] and prepare it for [PowerPoint/presentation/briefing].

Social media graphic

Create a professional social media graphic for [platform] about [message]. Make [main subject or message] the first thing viewers notice. Use [brand palette], strong contrast, and a clean composition. Include only this exact text: “[approved wording].” Leave enough margin so important elements are not cropped.

If exact text matters, inspect it carefully after generation. AI image tools may render letters incorrectly or alter wording, even when the prompt is specific. For related advice, see how to fix misspelled text in AI-generated images.

5. Common problems and how to fix them

The result looks generic. Add a specific subject, setting, point of view, lighting, and intended use. Avoid stacking unrelated style words that pull the image in different directions.

The infographic is crowded. Reduce the number of points, shorten labels, and ask for more spacing. If every detail must remain, consider splitting the information into separate graphics rather than forcing it into one page.

The visual story misses an important point. Check whether that point is clear in the source document and name it explicitly in the prompt. Review the generated pages against the source instead of relying on the summary alone.

Text or numbers are wrong. Correct them manually if the editor supports it, or regenerate the relevant section with the exact verified wording. Never publish a statistic simply because it appears in a polished design.

The output is the wrong size. Select the intended size before generating if the control is available. If the tool does not offer the required dimensions, export the closest suitable option and use an appropriate design editor to crop or resize it. Check that the crop does not remove labels or key objects.

You cannot see Create or an infographic option. Check that you are signed in to the correct account, verify eligibility for the feature, and consult Microsoft’s current instructions. Work or school accounts may be subject to administrator settings, and features or usage limits can differ by subscription.

You need a transparent background or precise brand layout. Confirm whether Copilot provides the necessary export and editing controls for your account. If it does not, use a dedicated graphics editor for the finishing work. Do not assume every generated asset will be delivered in every file format.

If your problem involves removing a background rather than creating a complete design, see our guide to removing image backgrounds with AI.

6. Accuracy, privacy, and publishing checks

Before using Copilot visuals in a business presentation or public article, work through this checklist:

  • Check every factual statement, date, label, and number against a reliable source.
  • Confirm that you have permission to use the source document, uploaded images, and any logos or brand assets.
  • Review the output for unintended personal, confidential, or internal information.
  • Inspect small text, cropped edges, contrast, and accessibility.
  • Confirm that the visual’s dimensions and file type fit the target platform.
  • Follow your organization’s policies and the applicable terms for your account and intended use.
  • Keep a copy of the source facts so you can correct the graphic later if the information changes.

Generated visuals can speed up drafting, but they do not replace editorial review. The more consequential the graphic, the more carefully you should verify it. A decorative concept image may need a light review; a chart that informs a business decision needs rigorous checking of the underlying data and labels.

Frequently asked questions

Can Microsoft Copilot create AI images from text?

Yes. Microsoft’s Copilot app includes image-generation capabilities for eligible accounts. You describe the subject and desired appearance, generate a result, and refine or save it using the controls available in your interface. See Microsoft’s official guide to creating AI-generated images.

Can Copilot create an infographic from my own information?

The Copilot Create experience can generate infographics from a prompt and, where supported, supplied content. Provide the verified facts and specify whether you want a list, timeline, or comparison. Always check the output for omissions and inaccurate labels before sharing it.

Can Copilot turn a Word document or report into slides?

Microsoft’s visual-story workflow can transform a supported document from OneDrive or SharePoint into a multi-page visual story and offers an export-to-PowerPoint path. Availability and controls may vary. Review the resulting pages and the exported PowerPoint before presenting them.

Is every Copilot Create feature free?

Not necessarily. Feature access, output quality, usage limits, and availability can depend on the account type, subscription, organizational settings, and service availability. Check Microsoft’s current product documentation for your account rather than assuming that all options are included in a free experience.

What is the best prompt for AI-generated visuals?

There is no single best prompt for every task. Describe the subject, audience, purpose, structure, composition, style, and important constraints. For an infographic or data-based visual, supply the exact information and tell the tool not to invent facts. Then refine the result in small steps.

Should I publish a Copilot-generated infographic without checking it?

No. Verify every number, date, name, and factual claim. AI-generated design can look authoritative even when a label is incorrect or a source detail has been omitted. Editorial review is essential before publishing or presenting the visual.

Official Microsoft sources

The most reliable workflow is to start with a clear purpose, provide accurate source material, refine one problem at a time, and check every detail before sharing. Used this way, Microsoft Copilot can help turn a written idea or existing document into an image, an infographic, or a presentation-ready visual story without treating the first generated draft as the finished product.