How to Use Copilot in Microsoft Word

If you are starting with Copilot in Microsoft Word, there are three core ways to work with it. Each one helps with a different part of writing, editing, or exploring your document. Whether you want to draft from scratch, ask questions, or transform existing text, Copilot adapts to the way you work.

Here are the three key points:

1. You can draft directly in the document using the Copilot draft box.
2. You can use the sidebar to ask questions or generate ideas without touching your file.
3. You can use inline actions for smart edits inside your text.

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Before You Start

If you do not see any Copilot buttons in Word, you are most likely not logged into your company account.
Without an organisational licence, Copilot will not appear in Word at all.
Log in, restart Word, and the features will become available.

1. Drafting Directly in the Document

When you open a new blank document, you will see the Draft with Copilot box at the top.
This is where you can describe what you want to write. For example:

Write a one paragraph announcement for an upcoming internal training session, including the date and time.

Copilot will instantly create a draft inside your document, and you can refine it by giving extra context.

2. Using the Sidebar

You can open the Copilot sidebar by clicking the Copilot button at the top of Word.
This opens a chat style interface where you can:

• Ask questions
• Request summaries
• Get counter arguments
• Brainstorm new ideas
• Analyse the document without inserting content

This is ideal when you want to understand the document, not rewrite it.

If you do want Copilot to place the result into your file, you can use the Append button inside the sidebar.

The sidebar can also help you create supporting material such as:

• Tables
• Lists
• AI generated images

3. Inline Actions

Inline actions appear when:

• You highlight text
• You place your cursor inside a paragraph

A small Copilot icon will appear in the left margin or below your selection.
Clicking it reveals options such as:

• Continue writing
• Summarise
• Convert

One powerful example is taking a list of meeting notes and converting it into a structured table.
Copilot inserts the full formatted table directly in your document.

Keep in mind that inline actions are for direct edits, so do not use them just to ask general questions unless you want Copilot to insert the answer into the file.

Confirmation Before Inserting Content

No matter which method you use, Copilot always asks for confirmation before it inserts anything into your document.
You can:

• Accept
• Reject
• Ask to change tone
• Ask to change format
• Adjust the level of detail

You stay fully in control of what appears in your file.

Summary

Copilot in Word gives you three flexible ways to work:

• Draft from scratch with the Copilot box
• Explore and analyse using the sidebar
• Edit directly with inline actions

These tools help you write faster, think clearer, and manage documents more efficiently.

If you want to fully understand Copilot and use it effectively across Microsoft 365, explore our Microsoft 365 Copilot Essentials training programme:
https://www.flowhunt.io/services/ai-training/microsoft-365-copilot-essentials/