Abstract
- Microsoft deprecated the Sensible Lookup characteristic in Phrase on January 1, 2025.
- This transfer was probably made to pave the way in which for Copilot.
- At present, there is no such thing as a official various to the Sensible Lookup characteristic in Microsoft Phrase.
The Sensible Lookup characteristic of Microsoft Phrase was used to supply details about a phrase or phrase in a doc by looking out the web. I am utilizing the previous tense right here as a result of Microsoft has retired this characteristic and seeking to exchange it with one thing not everybody will like.
Why Microsoft Has Retired the Sensible Lookup Function
Microsoft launched the Sensible Lookup characteristic in Workplace 2016. Since then, it has been my go-to instrument every time I got here throughout a brand new phrase, like Worcestershire, whose definition I needed to know. Nevertheless, Microsoft lately up to date one among its assist pages to announce that the Smart Lookup feature was officially retired on January 1, 2025.
If you have not up to date Phrase lately, the search choice nonetheless seems when you choose and right-click a phrase or phrase, however clicking the search choice shows the message, “Sorry, one thing went fallacious. Please attempt once more.”
Whereas Microsoft hasn’t formally defined why they eliminated the Sensible Lookup characteristic from Phrase, it’s fairly clear they’re making room for Copilot. Microsoft needs you to depend on its AI chatbot, Copilot, as an alternative of built-in Word tools like Sensible Lookup to know the that means of phrases or phrases in a doc. It’s price noting that Copilot is just accessible in Phrase when you’ve got a Microsoft 365 subscription. For those who’re utilizing perpetual licenses or LTSC releases, Copilot gained’t be built-in.
Is Copilot Able to Substitute Sensible Lookup?
At present, there isn’t a direct various to the Sensible Lookup characteristic in Copilot for Phrase. When you choose textual content in Phrase, the one choices accessible are Write a Immediate, Auto Rewrite, and Visualize as a Desk. None of those choices supply performance just like Sensible Lookup.
Nevertheless, since Microsoft is closely investing in AI-powered options, it’s probably solely a matter of time earlier than they introduce a Copilot choice with capabilities just like Sensible Lookup. When that occurs, you’ll most likely get extra detailed responses and, extra importantly, the power to ask follow-up questions when you’ve got additional doubts a few phrase or phrase.
Till that characteristic turns into accessible, the one option to discover the that means of a textual content is to manually seek for its definition on Google. Whereas this methodology isn’t as direct as Sensible Lookup, it’s at present the one various.
The Sensible Lookup characteristic positively will not be the final characteristic Microsoft removes from Phrase. Within the close to future, it appears probably that you will see different options like Learn Aloud, Translate, and Thesaurus faraway from Phrase and changed with Copilot. Sadly, there’s not a lot you are able to do about it until you are prepared to modify to a Microsoft Workplace various like LibreOffice.