Copilot in PowerPoint can now copy the look of a deck you already have, so new slides stop arriving in a stranger's colours
By Brett Gavaghan, Founder of Adaptd ·
Microsoft's latest Copilot release notes let you attach an existing PowerPoint file so Copilot builds the new deck in its theme and styles. You can also attach an image for Copilot to use.
The short version
- Copilot in PowerPoint can now apply the theme and styles of an existing deck you attach to a new presentation.
- Microsoft listed it in its 27 October 2026 release notes for Microsoft 365 Copilot on Windows and the web, rolling out gradually.
- Pick your best-looking recent deck and use it as the style reference for the next one Copilot builds.
Until now, Copilot's new decks came out in a default theme, which looked fine and nothing like your business. You can now hand it the deck you'd like it to copy.
What changed in Copilot in PowerPoint?
Copilot in PowerPoint can now use an existing presentation as a style reference when it creates a new one. You attach the file, and Copilot applies its theme and styles to the new deck.
Microsoft listed the change in its Microsoft 365 Copilot release notes dated 27 October 2026. Before this, new presentations from Copilot used default themes. The same release lets you attach an image when you create a presentation, so Copilot can work it into the slides.
Who can use it, and how?
The deck style option is available in Copilot in PowerPoint on Windows and the web for people with Microsoft 365 Copilot. Microsoft rolls features out gradually, so it may reach some people in a team before others.
To try it, start a new presentation with Copilot, use Attach file to pick an existing deck, and ask Copilot to build the slides in that deck's style. Microsoft says security and privacy controls don't change.
Should your business use it?
Any business that sends proposals, reports or pitch decks should keep one clean, on-brand deck to use as the style reference.
My advice: don't attach your messiest deck because it's the most recent. Copilot copies what you give it, including the slide where someone squeezed in a fifth font. A short, tidy deck with your real colours, fonts and logo will do more work than a long one.
Not on Microsoft 365 Copilot? Your PowerPoint template still does the same job by hand. Copilot just saves you the clicking, which is the bit nobody puts in their job description.
Wondering what this means for your business?
That's exactly what the discovery call is for.