In our previous article, we discussed using Copilot for writing emails in Outlook. A similar topic is coming up again as writers want to know about Copilot’s usage as an AI writing assistant. I’ve observed that many writers, even professional ones, sometimes struggle to find the right words. They can’t always figure out how to curate content and make it informative.

Since we are humans, it might not be possible for us to remain creative all the time. In this case, getting help from an AI assistant like Copilot seems like an opportunity. Copilot is perfect for all the things a writer might lack today. However, the concern is that such writers don’t know how to use it and generate the best content. So, here is my guide to using Copilot in Microsoft Word.

What is Copilot, and how does it work?

Before actually jumping into the writing procedure with Copilot, you should understand what it is and how it works. Copilot is an AI-assisted model based on LLM that acts like a friend who helps you with your concerns. Being a Microsoft product, it has seamless integration with different Microsoft products like Excel, Outlook, and Word. And since we want to learn assistive writing with Copilot, we need to look at Word.

Microsoft Word is a writing space where you can put your thoughts and save them. But, as you know, writers sometimes struggle. In this case, Copilot helps them. As the writer writes a few words, Copilot suggests ways to finish the sentence elegantly. Copilot also helps you find a specific tone for your content and apply it. Additionally, it takes care of grammar and makes the writing creative, even if the writer is not in such a mood. So, without any delay, let’s understand how to use Copilot in Word.

Getting Started with Copilot

Just like with Outlook, you need to activate Copilot from the settings in Word before you can use it. And the other thing is that here you also have customization options. You can adjust your content tone, sentence length, and so on. Below are the instructions that you should follow to activate Copilot and get started.

Note: Copilot with Microsoft Word is accessible to limited users who have a free trial or have purchased a Microsoft 365 plan. So, ensure that you have one of these eligibility criteria to access Copilot in Word.

1. Open Microsoft Word.
2. Click on the File tab appearing in the top left corner.
3. Now select the account and look for the Copilot section.
4. Under the Copilot section, click on the “Turn on Copilot” button.
5. Next, agree to the terms and conditions.
6. Click Settings next to Copilot to adjust it according to your preferences.
7. That’s it. Copilot on Word has been successfully activated.

Steps to use Copilot in Word

Once you activate Copilot in Word, you are good to go for assistive writing. When you open a new document, you will find that as you type, Copilot starts suggesting text completions and continuations in a separate pane. Simply click on the suggestion you want to include or keep writing if you want to ignore it. To make Copilot usage understandable, here are the steps on how exactly you can use it:

1. Open Microsoft Word.
2. Look for the Draft for the Copilot box.
3. Type a prompt for writing, like “I am writing a blog post about.”.
4. Click on the Generate button.
5. Following this, you will receive your intended content piece.
6. Click on ‘Keep it up’ to add that draft to your content, or tap ‘Discard’ if the draft is not relevant to you.
7. Make adjustments to the draft according to your preferences.
8. That’s it! In this manner, you can use Copilot in Word.

The more information you give Copilot, the clearer the answer you will receive. So, make sure to try different prompts and keywords to see what works best for you. Remember to use Copilot’s ideas as inspiration and always maintain your voice and style.

Advanced Copilot Features and Tricks

Besides always being simple, ensure to use some advanced tips to get the best output from Copilot. I mean, try Genre Master prompts like “Write a poem in the style of Emily Dickinson, reflecting on a lost love.” Copilot will show a draft in context with that reference. You can even add different voice controls to your writing through prompts like “Suggest different sentence endings for this paragraph.”

One special hack I like is integrating other tools. For integrating Grammarly, you can say, “Let Copilot draft and Grammarly polish, guaranteeing error-free masterpieces.” These are advanced tricks that can add more value to your writing.

Final Thoughts

To sum up, Copilot’s integration into Word offers a wealth of benefits, revolutionizing the writing process. From providing intelligent suggestions to enhancing overall writing coherence, Copilot is a powerful tool that significantly improves the quality and efficiency of your writing workflow. From that point, I urge readers to experiment with Copilot and explore its full potential. Embrace the opportunity to streamline your writing, boost creativity, and refine your content with this innovative tool.

FAQs

1. Is Copilot available for free trial users?
   • Copilot with Microsoft Word is accessible to limited users who have a free trial or have purchased a Microsoft 365 plan.
2. How do I activate Copilot in Word?
   • Open Microsoft Word, go to the File tab, select the account, find the Copilot section, click “Turn on Copilot,” agree to the terms, and adjust settings as per your preferences.
3. Can I customize Copilot according to my writing preferences?
   • Yes, you can customize Copilot settings, including content tone and sentence length, to align with your writing style.
4. What should I do if Copilot suggests irrelevant content?
   • You can click on ‘Discard’ if the suggested draft is not relevant to you. Copilot allows you to maintain control over your content.
5. Are there any advanced features in Copilot?
   • Yes, Copilot offers advanced features and tricks, such as Genre Master prompts and integrating with other tools like Grammarly, to enhance your writing experience.