Copilot is Microsoft’s AI assistant, built right into Word. It can write a first draft for you, rewrite clumsy paragraphs, summarise a long report, and answer questions about what’s in a document.
Do you have it?
Copilot in Word is available with Microsoft 365 plans that include Copilot — including Microsoft 365 Personal and Family (with a monthly allowance of AI credits) and business plans with a Copilot licence. Make sure Office is up to date via File → Account → Update Options → Update Now.
If you have it, you’ll see the Copilot icon on the Home tab and in the margin next to your text.
1. Draft a document from scratch
- Open a new blank document.
- The Draft with Copilot box appears at the top. (If not, click the Copilot icon in the margin.)
- Describe what you want, for example: “Write a friendly letter to my neighbours letting them know we’re having building work done from 3 to 14 November.”
- Click Generate.
- Choose Keep it, Regenerate, or type a follow-up like “make it shorter” or “more formal”.
You can also reference your own files — type / and pick a document from OneDrive to base the draft on.
2. Rewrite a paragraph
- Select the text.
- Click the Copilot icon that appears in the margin.
- Choose Rewrite (or Auto rewrite).
- Flip through the suggestions and click Replace or Insert below.
Adjust the tone with options like Professional, Casual or Concise.
3. Turn text into a table
Select a list or paragraph with data and ask Copilot to visualise as a table. It builds a formatted table you can keep or discard.
4. Summarise a long document
Open the document and click Copilot on the Home tab. In the chat pane, ask:
- “Summarise this document in five bullet points.”
- “What are the action points and who owns them?”
- “What does this say about the deadline?”
Copilot answers with references to the parts of the document it used.
5. Tips for better results
- Be specific: include who it’s for, the tone and the length.
- Give it the facts: Copilot doesn’t know your dates, prices or names unless you tell it.
- Refine, don’t restart: ask for changes in follow-up prompts.
⚠️ Always check the result
Copilot can get facts wrong or sound confident about things it has made up. Read everything before you send it — you’re still the author.
Troubleshooting
I can’t see Copilot. Check your plan includes Copilot, sign in with the right account (File → Account), and update Office.
“You’re out of AI credits.” Personal and Family plans have a monthly allowance. It resets each month.
Wrapping up
Use Draft with Copilot to beat the blank page, Rewrite to polish, and the Copilot pane to summarise. Then read it through yourself.
