(Updated) Microsoft Copilot Word: Document summarization experience moving

Updated September 21, 2026: We have clarified the timeline. Thank you for your patience. 

[What and Why:]

We are updating how users access document summarization in Microsoft Word. Beginning in September 2026, the current Top of Doc summarization experience will transition to other Copilot in Word surfaces.

This change creates a more unified Copilot experience in Word while preserving users’ ability to quickly understand document content. The document summarization capability is not being removed and will continue to be available through Copilot in Word.

[Rollout Schedule:]

• General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCCH, DoD): Rollout will begin early September 2026.

[Impact on Your Organization:]

Who is affected

• Users licensed for and able to access Copilot in Word.

Platforms and services

• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft 365 Copilot in Word

What will happen

• The existing Top of Doc summarization experience will move to other Copilot surfaces in Word.
• In supported scenarios, users may see a proactive “Summarize this document” suggestion within the Copilot experience.
• Selecting the suggestion will generate a summary of the current document in Copilot.
• Users can open Copilot in Word and request a summary using natural language prompts, such as “Summarize this document.”
• The underlying document summarization capability will remain available; only the access experience is changing.

[Action Required/Recommendations:]

No admin action is required.

We recommend that you:

• Inform users that document summarization is moving from the Top of Doc experience to other Copilot surfaces in Word.
• Update internal training materials, adoption content, and help desk documentation that reference Top of Doc summarization.
• Encourage users to access summaries through Copilot in Word by using the “Summarize this document” suggestion or a natural language prompt.

Suggested user communication

Document summaries in Word will continue to be available through Copilot, but the existing Top of Doc summary experience is being retired. To generate a summary, open Copilot in Word and ask Copilot to summarize the current document.

[Compliance Considerations:]

• End users have a new way to interact with generative AI: The summarization capability remains AI-powered and will be accessed through Copilot interactions and prompts.
• User workflow change: Users will access the same summarization capability through different Copilot entry points, which may require user awareness and updated training materials.

No other compliance considerations identified based on the information provided. Review as appropriate for your organization.