Home · Business tools · Turn a 40-email Outlook thread into 'where we are and who owes what'
Turn a 40-email Outlook thread into 'where we are and who owes what'
You've been copied into a long thread and need to act today. Get the status, owners and dates as a note you can send.
The prompt · ChatGPT
Turn this email thread into a clear status note. Thread: [paste the emails, or the "Summary by Copilot" text from Outlook] Who the note is for: [e.g. my manager, the client]
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What you get (sample answer)
Where things stand: revised quote for Hartley Joinery is agreed at 4,800; start date still open. Agreed: Priya (client) and Tom (us) accepted the scope on 3 Sep; deposit 1,200 marked paid. Open: final start week; who supplies the worktop. Who owes what: Tom — send start options by Fri; Priya — confirm worktop choice. Reply: "Thanks both — we'll send two start weeks by Friday; once Priya confirms the worktop we'll lock the date."
In Outlook, open the thread and select Summary by Copilot at the top, if your Microsoft 365 business plan includes it.
Or copy the emails, oldest first.
Paste the prompt above into any assistant with the summary or the emails.
Why it helps
Long threads bury the decision under replies, so you either read everything or reply without knowing what was agreed.
Tools
Paste the prompt, fill the blanks, copy the draft.
- ChatGPT — required. Works with the business tool named on this recipe. You stay in control of what gets sent.