Ask document and general questions in Word: Copilot vs. Kutools

AI tools are changing how we work in Microsoft Word. Instead of searching online or switching between applications, you can now ask questions directly inside Word to get instant assistance while you write.

In this tutorial, we’ll walk through two practical ways to ask questions within Word. You’ll learn how to:

• Ask questions about your current document, such as summarizing content, analyzing sections, or refining your writing.
• Ask general questions that aren’t related to the document, but still help you complete your work more efficiently.

By the end, you’ll understand how each approach works and which one makes the most sense for your daily workflow.

• Ask document and general questions using Copilot in Word
• Ask document and general questions using Kutools AI

Ask questions using Copilot in Word

Microsoft Copilot is an AI assistant built into Microsoft 365 applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. It is designed to help you generate content, summarize documents, analyze information, and answer questions directly within the Office environment.

In Word, Copilot works alongside your document and understands its context. You can ask it to summarize sections, rewrite paragraphs, extract key points, or even answer general questions, all without leaving the application. The following sections explain how to use Copilot to ask questions about your document and how to use it for broader inquiries.

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Ask questions about the current document

1. Open Microsoft Word and open the document you want to work with.
2. On the ribbon, click Copilot, typically located on the right side of the Home tab.
3. In the Copilot pane that appears on the right side of the window, type a question related to your document, such as:
   • Summarize this document.
   • What are the key points in this report?
   • Rewrite this paragraph to sound more formal.
   • Identify potential risks in this contract.
4. Press Enter to submit your question.
5. Review the generated response in the Copilot pane. Depending on your version, you may be able to insert the result into the document or refine the response with follow-up prompts.

Ask general questions

1. Open the Copilot pane in Word.
2. Type a question that is not directly related to the current document, for example:
   • What is GDPR?
   • Draft a professional client follow-up email.
   • Explain what a force majeure clause means.
   • Give me five title ideas for a business report.
3. Press Enter to receive the response.
4. If needed, refine your request by typing additional instructions, such as “make it shorter,” “use a formal tone,” or “convert to bullet points.”

Ask questions using Kutools AI

Kutools for Word includes a built-in Kutools AI Utilities pane that provides AI-powered assistance directly inside Word. It supports document-based questions and general inquiries without interrupting your workflow. In addition, it can translate text, rewrite or refine content, generate new material based on your prompts, summarize sections, and help improve clarity and structure.

In addition to the AI Utilities pane, Kutools for Word also provides other AI-powered tools along with a wide range of built-in productivity features designed to simplify complex tasks in Word. Together, these features enhance both document assistance and overall workflow efficiency.

Ask questions about the current document

1. On the Kutools tab of the Word ribbon, click AI > AI Utilities.

   

2. When the Kutools AI Utilities pane opens on the right side of Word, click the Document QA tab. Then choose one of the following options:
   • Use a preset prompt, such as:
     • Summarize Document Content
     • Analyze Document Content
     • Continue Writing Document Content
   • Type your own document-related question, such as:
     • Summarize the selected section in three bullet points.
     • Highlight potential legal risks in this agreement.
     • Rewrite the selected paragraph to sound more professional.
     • Convert this content into a structured outline.

   

3. Click Send  or press Enter to generate the result.

Ask general questions

1. On the Kutools tab, click AI > AI Utilities.

   

2. In the Kutools AI Utilities pane, click the Chat tab and type a general question, such as:
   • What is the difference between a contract and an agreement?
   • Explain how GDPR affects businesses.
   • How can I generate a QR code in Word?
   • How to remove pictures from a Word document?

   

3. Click Send or press Enter to receive the answer.

Copilot vs. Kutools AI: Feature Comparison

Conclusion

Both Copilot and Kutools AI allow you to ask questions directly inside Microsoft Office applications, but they differ in pricing models and feature focus.

Copilot is deeply integrated into the Microsoft 365 ecosystem and works across Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and other apps. It emphasizes AI-driven content generation, summarization, data analysis, and workflow assistance. However, it requires a Microsoft 365 subscription along with a Copilot license, resulting in ongoing subscription costs.

Kutools for Word provides AI-assisted document support along with a wide range of built-in productivity tools designed to simplify complex tasks in Word. It is available as a standalone product with a one-time purchase. For users who need enhancements across multiple Office applications, Kutools for Office is also available, offering productivity tools that work across Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Both options provide a cost-effective alternative without recurring subscription fees.

I hope you found this tutorial helpful. If you’d like to explore more Word tips and practical solutions, please click here to browse our full collection of Word tutorials.