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Copilot in Word: draft from an outline and referenced files

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Copilot in Word: draft from an outline and referenced files

How Draft with Copilot in Word works: outline to document, grounding on referenced files, what the references cite, and why it is not a research tool.

Solving Microsoft 365 · www.solvingmicrosoft365.com/guides/copilot-in-word-draft-from-outline-and-references

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The basic mechanic

On a blank line, the Copilot icon appears in the margin (or press Alt+I). Type a prompt, optionally attach references, and Copilot inserts a draft inline with Keep / Regenerate / adjust options. It's a starting draft, n…

Solving Microsoft 365 · www.solvingmicrosoft365.com/guides/copilot-in-word-draft-from-outline-and-references

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02

Pattern 1: draft from an outline

The single biggest quality lever is giving Copilot structure rather than a topic. "Write a project charter for the CRM migration" produces generic corporate filler. Pasting an outline into the prompt produces something…

Solving Microsoft 365 · www.solvingmicrosoft365.com/guides/copilot-in-word-draft-from-outline-and-references

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03

Pattern 2: reference files

The reference button in the draft box lets you attach files from OneDrive and SharePoint — or type a forward slash to search. Copilot then grounds the draft on those documents' content. This is the feature that turns "w…

Solving Microsoft 365 · www.solvingmicrosoft365.com/guides/copilot-in-word-draft-from-outline-and-references

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04

What "references" and "citations" really mean

This is where expectations go wrong. People hear "Copilot adds citations" and assume Word can now produce a bibliography. It can't, and it isn't trying to.

Solving Microsoft 365 · www.solvingmicrosoft365.com/guides/copilot-in-word-draft-from-outline-and-references

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05

A workflow that holds up

Write the headings. Attach the two or three files that actually matter. Draft each section under its heading with a specific prompt. Hover the references to sanity-check anything factual. Then rewrite the opening paragr…

Solving Microsoft 365 · www.solvingmicrosoft365.com/guides/copilot-in-word-draft-from-outline-and-references

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