Guide to Using Copilot in Microsoft 365 Word on Windows 11

2024/01/31

Key Notes

Copilot is available for Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscribers.
Use keyboard shortcuts like Alt + I to quickly open Copilot.
Copilot can generate, rewrite, and summarize text effectively.

Unlocking the Power of Copilot in Microsoft Word

This guide will show you how to effectively harness the Copilot feature in Microsoft Word to enhance your writing tasks.

How to Utilize Copilot in Microsoft Word

Copilot is an innovative AI writing assistant integrated into Microsoft Word for Microsoft 365 users. Whether you need to generate new content, rewrite existing text, or create summaries, Copilot is here to assist you.

Step 1: Generate Text with Copilot

Follow these instructions to generate new drafts using Copilot:

Launch Word.
Create a blank document.
In the “Draft with Copilot” box, type your prompt like “Draft a project proposal on renewable energy.”
Press the Generate button.
If the output doesn’t display, hit the Copilot button using Alt + I.
For an initial template, click “Inspire me.”
(Optional) Adjust tone by including instructions like “Make it casual.”
To accept the content, press the Keep it button.
To revise text, click the Regenerate button.
Use navigation buttons to compare different drafts.
If needed, click Discard it to remove generated text.
(Optional) Click Stop generating to cancel the request.

Review the output and make necessary edits to suit your style.

Step 2: Rewrite Existing Text

Utilize Copilot to enhance your existing writing:

Open Word.
Load an existing document or create new text.
Select the desired text for rewriting.
Press the Copilot button and select “Rewrite with Copilot.”
Navigate through draft options using the back-and-forth buttons.
Click Replace to insert the new version.
(Optional) Use Insert below to keep both versions.
(Optional) Hit Regenerate for additional rewrites.
Adjust the tone with the Adjust tone button.

Step 3: Chat with Copilot

Engage with Copilot via the side panel:

Open Word.
Select or create a document.
Use the Copilot button from the “Home” tab to open the side panel.
Type your query in the prompt area.
Click the Submit button.
(Optional) Use the microphone icon for voice input.

Step 4: Create Summaries

To summarize documents quickly with Copilot:

Launch Word.
Open or create a document.
Click the Copilot button from the “Home” tab.
Provide a prompt, for example, “Summarize this document.”
(Optional) Click References for source details.
Review the summary for accuracy.
(Optional) Continue asking Copilot for additional context.

Step 5: Compose Effective Prompts

To improve your interactions with Copilot:

Open Word.
Access an existing or create a new document.
Click the book icon to open the prompt menu.
Press the Copilot button from the “Home” tab.
Select a prompts category (Create, Understand, Ask) to learn how to phrase your requests.
(Optional) Open Copilot Lab for more examples.
Choose a prompt to tailor your queries to Copilot.

Additional Tips

Always review generated content for accuracy.
Utilize voice commands for hands-free operation.
Experiment with varied prompts for diverse outputs.

Summary

This guide has provided a comprehensive overview of how to effectively utilize the Copilot feature in Microsoft Word. Whether generating new content, rewriting drafts, or summarizing documents, Copilot is a valuable resource that enhances productivity and creativity in your writing tasks.

Conclusion

Incorporating Copilot into your workflow can significantly improve writing efficiency and effectiveness. Embrace the capabilities offered by this AI tool and transform the way you create and edit documents in Microsoft Word.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

What subscriptions do I need to use Copilot in Word?

To access Copilot in Word, you need a Copilot Pro subscription along with a Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscription.

Can I use Copilot on multiple devices?

Yes, Copilot is available on Microsoft Word for web, Windows, macOS, and iPadOS.