To create an effective prompt grounded in a specific proposal, use Microsoft 365 Copilot's "slash command" feature to directly reference the file.
Creating the Grounded Prompt
A successful grounded prompt follows the Goal, Context, Expectations, Source framework.
Reference the Source: Start your prompt or include at the end a reference to the specific proposal by typing "/" followed by the filename (e.g., /[Proposal_Name].docx).
Define the Goal: State exactly what information you need (e.g., "Summarize the key deliverables").
Provide Context: Explain why you need it (e.g., "for an upcoming client kickoff meeting").
Set Expectations: Specify the format, tone, and length (e.g., "in a bulleted list of 5 items").
Example Prompt
"Based on /[Project_Proposal_v2.docx], summarize the primary project goals and list the three highest-risk items. Use a professional tone and format the response as a short executive summary for my leadership team." Reference:
https://alistar.net/en/blog/prompting-in-microsoft-copilot