Draft and add content with Copilot in Word

Applies To
Word for Microsoft 365 Word for Microsoft 365 for Mac

Copilot in Word helps you go from a blank page to a polished document faster. Use it to draft new content from scratch, add to existing content, rewrite or transform selected text, review writing suggestions, and work with Copilot as a co-creator directly in your document. Copilot will respect and apply the proper sensitivity label to help protect your document.

Note

To use Copilot in Word, you need an eligible Microsoft 365 subscription and/or Microsoft 365 Copilot license. Some create and edit experiences are rolling out gradually and may depend on your license, organization settings, app version, and whether you are using Word for Windows, Mac, Web, or iPad.

What you can do with Copilot in Word

Copilot can provide the following services, using relevant work context such as files, emails, meetings, and other Microsoft 365 content, and can also use web information when available. You can point Copilot to a specific source, or it may use helpful context based on your prompt and permissions.

  • Start a draft: Ask Copilot to create a first draft from a simple request, detailed prompt, outline, notes, or reference files.

  • Reuse existing format and structure: Start from a template or existing document and draft new content while keeping the formatting and structure.

  • Add content: Ask Copilot to expand an existing document with a new section, paragraph, checklist, table, or other supported document content.

  • Edit in place: Use Edit with Copilot to create, refine, format, and restructure content directly in the document.

  • Rewrite selected text: Select text and ask Copilot to rewrite it, adjust tone, make it more concise, or generate alternate versions.

  • Transform content: Turn selected text into a table or image when the information is better presented in a structured format.

  • Add citations: Ask Copilot to generate content with citations to referenced sources.

Create a draft with Copilot

  1. Open a blank document or place your cursor where you want new content.

  2. Open Copilot on the bottom right corner and describe what you want to create, including key details like topic, audience, tone, format, and length.

    Screenshot that shows the Copilot pane in Word with the prompt box for describing content to generate.

  3. To use a specific source, type / and choose the file, if available.

  4. Select Generate.

  5. Review the draft, then keep, discard, regenerate, or refine it with a follow-up prompt.

Choose your model

Choose from models such as Claude Sonnet or Claude Opus. If you're unsure which model to use, select Auto.

Choose the AI model that Copilot in Word uses to generate responses. Your selected model stays active until you change it or end your session.

Depending on your subscription and availability, you can choose from models such as Claude Sonnet or Claude Opus. If you're unsure which model to use, select Auto.

Custom model selection is available with eligible premium subscriptions. Users without access to custom model selection can use Auto, Instant, and Think deeper.

Note

Copilot generates draft content and suggested edits. Review and verify details, especially facts, numbers, citations, names, policy statements, and other sensitive information.

You are responsible for deciding whether to keep, revise, or remove Copilot-generated content before sharing your document.

Welcome to Copilot in Word

Frequently asked questions about Copilot in Word

Copilot tutorial: Meet Microsoft Copilot

Microsoft Copilot help & learning