How to Reference Documents in Copilot for Word?

by Gloria Bakerian | May 26, 2025 | Productivity

Learn how to reference documents in Copilot for Word using the forward slash command.

Reference OneDrive or SharePoint files right from your Copilot prompt in Word.Microsoft Copilot is transforming how we work in Word—helping us summarize, draft, and edit content with the power of AI. But one of the most underrated features is how seamlessly you can reference other documents using a simple forward slash. Whether you’re building a report, policy update, or project summary, this trick saves time and makes your work more efficient.

In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to reference documents in Copilot for Word, what to do if you don’t see the file you need, and how to use this feature to its full potential.

How to Reference Any Document in Copilot for Word Using a Forward Slash

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Open the Copilot Prompt

  • In your Word document, click the Copilot icon or open the “Ask Copilot” field.

2. Type a Forward Slash ( / )Use Copilot’s slash feature to instantly connect Word with your cloud files.

  • Typing / will bring up a short list of recent or suggested documents from your OneDrive or SharePoint.

3. Start Typing the Document Name

  • Begin typing the name of the file you want to reference after the slash.

  • Example: /Q1 Sales Report or /Employee Handbook

4. Select the Document from the List

  • Copilot will display a few matching files in a dropdown.

  • Click the file you want to use.

⚠️ Note: Copilot only shows a limited number of files by default.
To reference a document that doesn’t appear:

  • Click “Browse all files” at the bottom of the list,

  • Or open the file picker (folder icon) to search across all your Microsoft 365 files.

5. Finish Your Prompt

  • Example:
    Summarize the key policies from /Employee Handbook
    or
    Compare this document to /Q1 Sales Report and highlight the differences.

6. Run the Prompt

  • Hit Enter or click the send icon. Copilot will access the referenced file and complete your request using its contents.

Tips

  • You can reference multiple files in one prompt by using additional forward slashes.

  • Make sure the files are stored in OneDrive or SharePoint and that you have permission to access them.

  • Use this feature to pull content, create summaries, draft comparisons, or update policies based on existing material.

 

Is the Forward Slash the Only Way to Reference Files in Copilot for Word?

Yes. At the time of writing, the forward slash ( / ) command is the only supported way to reference external files directly inside a Copilot prompt in Microsoft Word.

You can’t upload or attach a file manually into Copilot’s request panel. The feature is designed to work exclusively with files stored in OneDrive or SharePoint, using your access permissions to locate and reference documents securely.

If you’re trying to bring in content from a file stored locally or outside your Microsoft 365 environment, you’ll need to upload it to the cloud first.

What to Do If You Don’t See the File You Need

Copilot’s forward slash feature only shows a few suggestions at a time, based on your recent files. If the document you want isn’t listed, don’t worry.
Here’s what to do:When you don't see a file, you have options.

  • Click “Browse all files” in the dropdown to open the full file browser.

  • Use the search bar to locate older or shared documents across OneDrive and SharePoint.

  • Make sure the file is stored in the cloud (not on your desktop) and that you have permission to access it.

Once selected, the file will become available in your prompt just like any other referenced document.

Why You Might Not See “Browse All Files” in Copilot for Word

  • Limited rollout: Some features in Copilot (like extended file browsing) are still being rolled out gradually or may only appear in certain Microsoft 365 license tiers.

  • Tenant restrictions: If your organization has certain security or data access policies, Copilot may be restricted to only show recent or commonly used documents.

  • File access scope: Copilot in Word is currently optimized to suggest recent documents or those you’ve interacted with most often—there’s no full file explorer like in Teams or Outlook.

  • User interface limitations: Some builds of Word may not include the “browse” option yet, especially if you’re using the web version or older desktop builds.

 

What You Can Do Instead

If you don’t see the “Browse all files” option:

1. Upload the file to OneDrive or SharePoint if it’s not already there.

2. Open the file briefly in Word or another Office app to make it appear in your recent documents.

3. Try referencing it by typing / followed by the exact file name to prompt Copilot to locate it.

4. Ensure your Microsoft 365 apps are updated and that you’re using a supported version of Word with Copilot access.

 

Ways to Use This Feature in Real Workflows

Referencing documents in Copilot for Word is useful across a wide range of tasks:

  • Summarizing Policies
    “Summarize the core sections of /Employee Handbook.”

  • Comparing Documents
    “Compare this proposal with /2024 Service Agreement.”

  • Pulling in Metrics or Quotes
    “Add key stats from /Q1 Marketing Report to the executive summary.”

This method keeps everything in one workspace, eliminating the need to open multiple tabs or copy-paste information manually.

Final Thoughts

Referencing documents in Copilot for Word using the forward slash is a small feature with big productivity benefits. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll wonder how you worked without it. If your organization is using Microsoft 365 and wants to unlock more Copilot features, we can help.

At Professional Computer Concepts, we help teams work smarter with Microsoft 365, from setup and training to full integration with tools like Copilot, Teams, and Entra ID.
Let’s talk about how to get the most out of your Microsoft stack.

Frequently Asked Questions – How to Reference Documents in Copilot for Word

What if I don’t see the “Browse all files” option in Copilot?

Not all users will see the “Browse all files” link—it’s not available in every version of Word or tenant. If it’s missing, try opening the document you want to reference first, which may help it appear in the recent files list. You can also try typing the exact file name after the slash to prompt Copilot to locate it.

Can I reference a file that’s stored locally on my computer?

No. Copilot can only access documents stored in OneDrive or SharePoint. If your file is stored locally, you’ll need to upload it to your Microsoft 365 cloud storage first.

Can I reference multiple documents in a single Copilot prompt?

Yes! Just use multiple forward slashes. For example:
Compare /Q1 Report and /Q2 Report and summarize changes.

Does this work in Word for the web and desktop?

Yes, but feature availability may differ slightly depending on your version and update channel. For best results, make sure you’re using the latest version of Microsoft Word with Copilot enabled.

Are there any other ways to insert or reference files in Copilot?

Currently, the forward slash ( / ) command is the only way to reference files directly inside a Copilot prompt in Word. There’s no manual file picker or upload option built into the Copilot experience yet.