ChatGPT Now Works Inside Microsoft Word on All Plans

Microsoft Word users now have access to ChatGPT within their application, thanks to an add-in that also works in Excel and PowerPoint. According to OpenAI's release notes, this integration was made available on September 17, allowing users to draft from notes, summarize documents, revise text, and adjust headings and formatting using a ChatGPT sidebar. The launch was quietly announced as part of a legal update for lawyers, who can use the feature to proofread drafts, receive suggested edits, and flag formatting issues.

The add-in is available through Microsoft Marketplace and requires users to sign in with their ChatGPT account. It's worth noting that this integration uses token-based pricing at API rates, which means that free plan users will have a limited budget for editing. Additionally, complex formatting, tables, and charts may require manual fixes after using the ChatGPT add-in.

Business customers can control access to the feature through their admin console, with the option to turn it off or on starting October 1, 2026, when it will be enabled by default. OpenAI also lists its own warnings and cautions users to save a copy of their document before making substantial changes.

The integration is part of OpenAI's ongoing efforts to expand the capabilities of its AI technology within Microsoft applications. This move follows the previous addition of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint on Meta Quest in December 2023.