You don’t add Copilot to Word separately. It comes with Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, Premium and Pro plans, and with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license for businesses. Update Word, sign in with the account that has the plan, and select the Copilot button in the corner of your document to start. Some Copilot features on personal plans have usage limits or use monthly AI credits.
Microsoft recently moved the Copilot button. It used to sit on the Home tab, and now Microsoft calls it the Copilot Dynamic Action Button, anchored in the corner of the document. This guide follows Microsoft’s Welcome to Copilot in Word, Copilot Dynamic Action Button and Copilot plans articles.
How to Get Copilot in Word
- Make sure you have an eligible plan. Microsoft lists Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, Premium and Pro as including Copilot. Work and school accounts need a Microsoft 365 Copilot license from their organization.
- Update Word. Microsoft points to Install Office updates as the first step if Copilot is missing.
- Sign in to Word with the account that has the plan (File > Account).
- If you just subscribed, refresh your license: File > Account > Update License, then close and restart your Microsoft 365 apps.
How to Open Copilot in Word
- Open a document in Word.
- Select the Copilot button in the corner of your document.
- Copilot opens in the chat pane on the right. Type a prompt, choose a suggested action, or ask a question about your file.
Keyboard shortcuts work too. On Windows, the shortcuts are Alt + C or F6. On a Mac, use Cmd + Control + I. F6 works everywhere while the newer shortcuts roll out.
If the button gets in your way, right-click it and choose Dock, or choose Move to ribbon to put it back near the ribbon like before.
How to Draft, Rewrite and Summarize With Copilot
Copilot in Word has three main jobs:
- Start a draft: type what you want in the chat pane, such as “Create an outline for a project update with sections for status, milestones and risks.” Review the result, then keep it, discard it or refine it with a follow-up prompt.
- Improve existing text: select a passage and choose a preset option such as Rewrite, or describe the change you want in the chat pane, like “Make this section more concise.”
- Understand a document: ask for a summary, key takeaways, open questions or action items. Choose Chat only if you want answers without Copilot changing the document.
In shared documents, Copilot shows a preview of suggested changes in chat first, and nothing is added until you approve it. Type / in the chat pane to point Copilot to a specific file, email or meeting.
With a Copilot license, you can also ask questions about a document while Word reads it out loud.
Always read and fact-check Copilot’s text before you use it.
What to Do if You Don’t See the Copilot Button
Microsoft’s missing Copilot button guide says to check the corner of your document first, since the button moved. If it’s still not there:
- Make sure Word is on the latest build.
- Refresh your license: File > Account > Update License, then restart your apps.
- Check privacy settings: File > Account > Manage Settings under Account Privacy, and make sure Experiences that analyze your content and All connected experiences are turned on.
- Business users on the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel won’t see Copilot until their organization moves them to Current Channel or Monthly Enterprise Channel.
Copilot Usage Limits and Sharing on Personal Plans
Microsoft’s AI credits and limits page says some Copilot features have usage limits, while others use monthly AI credits. Limits depend on your plan, and Premium and Pro get the most extensive limits.
One important detail for Family plans: AI benefits are only available to the subscription owner and can’t be shared with others.
How to Turn Off Copilot in Word
If you’re signed in with a personal Microsoft account, Microsoft’s turn off Copilot guide explains how to switch it off:
- In Word, go to File > Options > Copilot.
- Clear the Enable Copilot checkbox.
- Select OK, then close and restart Word.
The checkbox only applies to that app on that device, and turning it off affects anyone who uses that device. You can’t turn off Copilot in the iOS, Android or web versions of Word, and the setting isn’t available for work or school accounts.
Copilot is also available as a separate Windows app. To set it up, follow the steps for installing and opening Copilot on Windows 11.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Copilot button in Word now?
In the corner of your document. Microsoft calls it the Copilot Dynamic Action Button. You can move it to the ribbon by right-clicking it.
Do family members get Copilot on a Family plan?
No. AI benefits are only for the subscription owner and can’t be shared.
Can I turn Copilot off?
Yes, with a personal Microsoft account on Windows or Mac: File > Options > Copilot, then clear Enable Copilot.
How do I remove Copilot from Windows?
Follow the steps to disable Copilot in Windows 11.
Matthew Burleigh is the founder, head writer, and editor of Solve Your Tech, which he launched in 2012. He has written technology tutorials since 2008 and worked in IT since 2003, including small-business support, IT management, and consulting. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science from Arizona State University.
Matthew writes practical guides for Windows, iPhone and iPad, Microsoft Office, Outlook, Google apps, and Android. Solve Your Tech’s guides are checked step by step against the device or app maker’s own documentation and tested on his own devices whenever he has the hardware or software, with clear steps, sources, and update dates.
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