(Updated) Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365: Automatic summary of documents on file-open in Word

Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 will automatically generate a summary at the top of Word documents upon opening. This feature, rolling out from late August 2024 to late June 2025, includes a collapsible UI for the summary and requires no admin action. Users should be informed and documentation updated.

Updated June 4, 2025: We have updated the timeline below. Thank you for your patience.

When you open a document, Copilot for Microsoft 365 for Microsoft Word will generate a summary in the window at the top of the Word document. You can hide the summary or open the Copilot chat pane to ask specific questions about the document.

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 397096.

[When this will happen:]

General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out late August 2024 and expect to complete by late June 2025 (previously late May). 

[How this will affect your organization:]

Users will see a new UI between the canvas and the ribbon in Word supporting a summary of the document created by Copilot for Microsoft 365. This UI can be collapsed if the user does not want to see the summary.

Fully expanded:

Semi-expanded:

This new feature is available by default.

[What you need to do to prepare:]

This rollout will happen automatically with no admin action required. You may want to notify your users about this change and update any relevant documentation as appropriate.

End User documentation:

• Create a summary of your document with Copilot - Microsoft Support