📧 Email
beginner
⏱ 2 min
Summarize a long email thread in 30 seconds
Pasted into AI, a 40-reply email thread becomes a 5-bullet summary with action items and open questions — ready before your next meeting.
Tools used:
ChatGPT
Microsoft Copilot
Outlook
Step-by-step walkthrough
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1
Copy the thread
Select all text in the email thread (Ctrl+A in the email body) and copy it.
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2
Use this prompt
Paste into ChatGPT or Copilot with this prompt:
💬 Prompt to use:Summarize this email thread in 5 bullet points or fewer. Then list: (1) any decisions made, (2) open questions, (3) action items and who owns them. [paste thread here]
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3
Verify the summary
Skim the original thread for any nuance the AI might have missed — especially numbers, deadlines, and names.
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4
Use it
Paste the summary as a "catching up" note at the top of your reply, or use it to brief a colleague.
💡 Pro tip: If the thread is very long, copy the most recent 10–15 replies. The later messages usually contain the most current decisions.