Writefull for Word - User Guide

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Welcome! If you have any questions that aren’t answered in this guide, please contact us here!

Welcome Adding Writefull to Word Download and Install Writefull Creating an Account Using Writefull Checking your Document or Paragraph Blocking unwanted language suggestions Ask AI Generate title Generate abstract Paraphrase Make concise Make punchy Make scientific Split Join Summarize Explain Sentence Palette Upgrading to Premium Understanding the AI offered by Writefull You are in control.Your data is private.Know your AI.Writing features AI: Writefull or third-party services Data storage by third-party services Removing Writefull for Word Contacting us

Welcome

Thank you for using Writefull for Word!

Writefull for Word offers real-time language feedback directly in your Word documents, with advanced editing tailored to your writing needs. It uses language models trained on academic texts, making it especially suited for researchers, students, and professionals working in academic and technical fields.

Writefull for Word provides a suite of tools to enhance your writing:

Language Suggestions: Receive grammar, word use, style, and phrasing suggestions by checking your paragraphs or entire document.

Rewrite: Use features like Paraphrase to rephrase sentences, Make Concise to shorten text, Make Punchy to add impact, and Make Scientific to adjust tone. You can also Split or Join sentences.

Generate: Automatically create a Title or Abstract for your document based on its content.

Summarize: Summarize any selected part of your document quickly.

Explain: Get explanations for specific parts of your text.

Ask AI: Ask questions and receive AI-generated responses using the GPT models about your text.

Writefull’s tools are widely used by researchers, institutions, and scholarly publishers to improve the quality of their academic writing. For more information, see https://writefull.com/.

Adding Writefull to Word

To get started with Writefull for Word, follow these steps to download and install the add-in, and create your account.

Download and Install Writefull

Open Microsoft Word (version 2016 or later).

Go to the Home tab on the ribbon.

Click on Add-ins.

In the search bar that appears, type “Writefull” and press Enter.

Select Writefull from the results and click Add.

Once added, you can start using Writefull. Just click the Home tab and then click “Open Writefull”.

Creating an Account

After installing Writefull for Word, you will be prompted to sign in.

If you already have an account, simply enter your email and password to log in.

If you’re new to Writefull, click the Create an Account link. This will take you to the signup page, where you can create an account using a valid email address (if Writefull is provided by your institution, use your institutional email). After entering your email and password, click Agree and Sign Up.

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An activation email will be sent to the address you provide. You must activate your account before logging in.

Once your account is activated, you can sign in by entering your details and clicking Sign In.

If you forget your password, click Forgot your password? under the Sign In button to reset it.

For more detailed steps or troubleshooting, please refer to our General Guides.

Using Writefull

Once logged in, you can access all of the features that Writefull for Word offers:

Checking your Document or Paragraph

You can choose to see Writefull’s language suggestions for your entire text by clicking Check Document, or for selected paragraphs by clicking Check Paragraph. If you don’t have any text selected and you click Check Paragraph, Writefull will check the paragraph you’re writing—where your cursor is positioned.

Writefull’s language suggestions for your text appear in the right-hand side panel.

Locate a suggestion in your text by clicking the suggestion card.

Accept suggestions for the entire sentence by clicking the ‘Accept (number)’ button at the bottom of the card, or accept individual suggestions by clicking them.

Reject suggestions by clicking the ‘Reject (number)’ button at the bottom of the card. You can do this for the entire sentence, but not for individual suggestions.

Block a suggestion by holding SHIFT while clicking it. The suggestion will turn grey, and Writefull will not offer this same one again in the future (more on this below).

Show or hide tracked changes by clicking the the S icon at the bottom of the card. With tracked changes active, you see everything Writefull suggests you to remove or add. It is more informative but might make it harder to parse the revised sentences.

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Objects like footnotes, references, and special characters are converted to plain text in the copy editing process - so try to avoid those to keep your formatting intact.

Blocking unwanted language suggestions

If you’re not happy with a particular language suggestion given by Writefull, click the edit while keeping SHIFT pressed. This will add the edit to your personal list of ‘Blocked edits’, and prevent Writefull from suggesting it again. You can find your blocked edits in your personal Writefull account at my.writefull.com/login. On your account page, click the button that says ‘Manage blocked edits’.

Note that blocking applies to exact suggestions. For instance, if you block the change from 'likeliness rankings' into 'likelihood ranking', Writefull may still suggest changes to individual parts ('likeliness') or to other forms of the phrase (‘likeliness ranking').

Ask AI

The Ask AI feature is an assistant that responds to any questions or prompts you enter. It can give you insights, perform tasks on selected text, and more. Unlike generic AI assistants such as ChatGPT, Writefull’s Ask AI has been customized to respond from a researcher’s perspective: its responses are reliable and relevant to the context of academic writing.

You can use this feature on any text you select (for instance, to ask a question about a specific term or paragraph in your document), or independently of any selection. To ask for assistance around a specific piece of your text, select the word, phrase, or paragraph(s) first.

In the main menu, click ‘Ask AI’.

In the next screen, enter your prompt. This can be a question (for instance, “How do I reference a website in MLA?”), a writing assignment (”Bridge these two paragraphs”), or anything else that helps you write and revise (”Check for inconsistencies between these two sections”).

Click ‘Insert’ to replace your original text with the generated response, or click ‘Copy’ to copy the response to your clipboard and insert it anywhere in your document.

Generate title

Writefull’s Generate title feature automatically produces titles for any part of your text. This feature uses a proprietary Writefull model that has been trained on published papers, so it generates titles that follow the norms of research writing.

Select part of your text (100 to 2000 words in length).

In the main menu, click ‘Generate’.

In the next screen, click ‘Title’.

Click ‘Regenerate’ as often as you wish to get new titles generated, and use the chevrons below the results to move back and forth between the generated titles.

Click ‘Copy’ to copy the title to your clipboard, and insert it anywhere in your document.

Generate abstract

Writefull’s Generate abstract feature automatically produces abstracts for your text. It uses a proprietary Writefull model that has been trained on published papers, so it generates abstracts that follow the norms of research writing.

To have an abstract generated for part of your text, select this part first (1000 to 15000 words in length). Alternatively, you can use the feature without selecting text; in this case, it will generate an abstract for your entire document.

In the main menu, click ‘Generate’.

In the next screen, click ‘Abstract’.

Click ‘Regenerate’ as often as you wish to get new abstracts generated, and use the chevrons below the results to move back and forth between the generated abstract.

Click ‘Copy’ to copy the abstract to your clipboard, and insert it anywhere in your document.

Paraphrase

The Paraphrase option lets you change the wording and structure of your sentences or paragraphs, keeping their meaning intact. By default, the generated paraphrases use academic language, but you can choose a certain style using the advanced settings.

Select part of your text; this can be a word or phrase, a sentence, or one or more paragraphs (25 sentences max).

In the main menu, click ‘Rewrite’.

In the next screen, click ‘Paraphrase’.

Click ‘Insert’ to replace your original text with Writefull’s paraphrase, or click ‘Regenerate’ as often as you wish to get new paraphrases generated. Use the chevrons below the results to move back and forth between the generated paraphrases.

Optionally, you can choose how you want Writefull to paraphrase your text. Clicking ‘Options’ above the paraphrase box opens a menu with advanced settings. From here, you can set the level of paraphrasing (from low to few changes, to high for many), the style (scientific, concise, or punchy), and the length (to make the selected text shorter or longer).

Your advanced settings will be kept for future paraphrases. When the ‘Options’ icon is yellow, this means Writefull is using advanced settings. To disable or change your settings, click the ‘Options’ icon again, and interact with the menu.

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Objects like footnotes, references, and special characters are converted to plain text in the paraphrasing and copy editing process - so try to avoid those to keep your formatting intact.

Make concise

You can use the Make concise option to shorten any text you select. This can help reduce your word count, make your text easier to read, and condense paragraphs—for instance, to reuse for your abstract or a conference poster.

Select part of your text to make more concise (at least 10 words, max 25 sentences).

In the main menu, click ‘Rewrite’.

In the next screen, click ‘Make concise’.

Click ‘Insert’ to replace your original text with Writefull’s rewrite, or click ‘Regenerate’ as often as you wish to get new rewrites generated. Use the chevrons below the results to move back and forth between the generated rewrites.

Make punchy

The Make punchy features makes your selected text more convincing and assertive, using more powerful language. Use this to convince your readers, but do ensure that it follows the tone you wish to use; this feature can be creative in its language use.

Select part of your text to make more punchy (at least 10 words, max 25 sentences).

In the main menu, click ‘Rewrite’.

In the next screen, click ‘Make punchy’.

Click ‘Insert’ to replace your original text with Writefull’s rewrite, or click ‘Regenerate’ as often as you wish to get new rewrites generated. Use the chevrons below the results to move back and forth between the generated rewrites.

Make scientific

Use the Make scientific option to rewrite your selected text in a scholarly tone that uses language appropriate for research and academia. This is ideal if you have paragraphs in casual language that you want to rewrite for a research audience, or you aren’t sure if your writing is scholarly enough.

Select part of your text to make more scientific (at least 10 words, max 25 sentences).

In the main menu, click ‘Rewrite’.

In the next screen, click ‘Make scientific’.

Click ‘Insert’ to replace your original text with Writefull’s rewrite, or click ‘Regenerate’ as often as you wish to get new rewrites generated. Use the chevrons below the results to move back and forth between the generated rewrites.

Split

The Split feature automatically divides sentences into shorter ones. This is especially useful if you have a long sentence that you want to make easier to read.

Select one sentence to split.

In the main menu, click ‘Rewrite’.

In the next screen, click ‘Split’.

Click ‘Insert’ to replace your original sentence with Writefull’s rewrite, or click ‘Regenerate’ as often as you wish to get new rewrites generated. Use the chevrons below the results to move back and forth between the generated rewrites.

Join

You can use Join to automatically merge multiple sentences. Combining one or more short sentences into one can help improve the flow of your text.

Select at least two sentences to join.

In the main menu, click ‘Rewrite’.

In the next screen, click ‘Join’.

Click ‘Insert’ to replace your original sentence with Writefull’s rewrite, or click ‘Regenerate’ as often as you wish to get new rewrites generated. Use the chevrons below the results to move back and forth between the generated rewrites.

Summarize

With the Summarize feature, you can instantly get a summary of the text you select. This is useful for getting to the gist of your work, for instance, to present on slides, posters, or in a cover letter when submitting to a journal.

Select a piece of text you want to summarize (at least 50 words).

In the main menu, click ‘Summarize’.

Click ‘Regenerate’ as often as you wish to get new summaries generated, and use the chevrons below the results to move back and forth between the generated abstract.

Click ‘Copy’ to copy the summary to your clipboard, and insert it anywhere in your document.

Explain

With the Explain feature, you can instantly get an explanation of the text you select. This can help you clarify something in your text, answer questions from your supervisor or peer reviewers, and more. This feature uses the wider context to give an explanation. For example, if you select a word or phrase, it will use the surrounding text to explain what it means in this context.

Select word, phrase, or longer chunk of text you want to explain.

In the main menu, click ‘Explain’.

Click ‘Regenerate’ as often as you wish to get new explanations generated, and use the chevrons below the results to move back and forth between the generated abstract.

Click ‘Copy’ to copy the explanation to your clipboard, and insert it anywhere in your document.

Sentence Palette

The Sentence Palette offers over 600 commonly used words and phrases for academic writing, organized by sections and goals. For example, for the Introduction section, it offers phrases to discuss the importance of your topic and explain the aim of your study.

You can open the Sentence Palette by clicking the hamburger menu in the Writefull panel. It opens up in a new browser tab. From there, you can browse words and phrases to use in your own work. Many phrases and sentences have multiple words to choose from.

You don’t need to worry about plagiarizing when using text from the Sentence Palette. It offers frequently used phrases, common throughout the scientific literature. By using these, you are not copying from any one source in particular, but simply following the patterns of academic writing.

Upgrading to Premium

To unlock full access to unlimited* Writefull’s features, you can upgrade your account to Premium in two ways.

Click the hamburger menu in the top left of the Writefull add-in and select Upgrade to Premium.

Alternatively, visit the Writefull Plans Page directly.

After selecting your preferred plan, you’ll be redirected to the payment portal to complete your purchase using your Writefull account details.

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Users with access to Writefull via their institution do not need to upgrade to Premium as institutional licences already include some Premium features.

Understanding the AI offered by Writefull

Writefull for Word offers many AI features. Some of these use Writefull’s proprietary language models, while others use third-party services. This section explains what AI is used, what (if any) data is stored, and that you are in control of what AI you use.

You are in control.

You have full control over how and when you use Writefull’s AI features:

You decide when Writefull checks your text. Your text is only processed when you click ‘Check Document’ or ‘Check Paragraph’.

The level of AI support is entirely up to you. Use Writefull for a language revision only, or go for text rewriting or generation. Choose what feels right to you, and make sure to follow your institution’s or publisher’s policy.

You choose whose AI you use; that of Writefull or a third party. Some features use the OpenAI and Anthropic APIs. You’ll be notified before using any feature that uses a third-party service, ensuring informed decisions.

Your data is private.

Your data privacy is central to Writefull’s design:

We never store your text, nor do we use your text or interaction with Writefull to train our AI. We train our models on published papers instead.

If you use a feature that uses a third-party service, your text may be temporarily stored by this service provider, but it is never used for training purposes.

When using Writefull, you’re informed when third-party access is involved, with explicit consent needed from you before your text can be sent to their servers.

Your text remains yours. Writefull never takes ownership of your text.

Your data is never sold to third parties or shared for advertising purposes.

Know your AI.

Writing features AI: Writefull or third-party services

If you use features driven by Writefull’s AI, your text is only processed by Writefull. It is never stored on Writefull’s servers or shared with third parties. Writefull does not use your text, or your interaction with its edits or features, to train its AI. Writefull’s servers are based in the EU (The Netherlands).

The following features in Writefull for Word use Writefull’s AI:

Language edits from Writefull’s model (for English research writing)

Title Generator

Abstract Generator

The features listed below use third-party services. In most cases, this is OpenAI (GPT), and in some, this is Anthropic (Claude). This means your text is sent to these service providers to get, for instance, paraphrased or explained. No additional information such as your email address will be shared–only the text is sent.

Paraphrase

Make concise

Make scientific

Make punchy

Split/Join

Explain

Summarize

Ask AI

Data storage by third-party services

When you use features that use the Anthropic or OpenAI API, your text becomes subject to the terms of these service providers. You are notified of this before using the features for the first time, at which point you can agree or continue or not. If you’re using Writefull through your institution, access to these features might have been restricted by your administrator, as institutions can choose not to offer these third-party services to their students and staff.

Both OpenAI and Anthropic are trusted service providers, meeting the strictest security and compliance standards. However, their policies around data retention are different from Writefull’s. While Writefull never stores your text, these service providers do, temporarily. They don’t train their models on your text. Here’s how they handle your data:

OpenAI (GPT):

OpenAI deletes your text from their servers within 30 days of receipt, unless they are legally required to retain it. Your text is not used to train OpenAI’s models. (In this, OpenAI’s API service is different from their ChatGPT product, where your data is used for training purposes unless you explicitly opt out.)

Anthropic (Claude):

Anthropic deletes your text from their servers within 30 days of receipt, unless they need to retain it for longer to enforce their Usage Policy or comply with the law. Text may be retained for up to 2 years if it gets flagged by Anthropic’s trust and safety classifiers as violating their Usage Policy. Text data may be anonymized or de-identified and retained for longer for research or statistical purposes. Anthropic does not train its models on your text.

Removing Writefull for Word

If you need to remove Writefull for Word, you can follow these steps:

Open Microsoft Word

Go to the Home tab in the ribbon

Click on Add-ins and select More Add-ins.

In the My Add-ins tab at the top, find Writefull.

Click the three dots (•••) next to Writefull and select Remove.

Contacting us

We are always happy to hear your feedback. If you come across a bug, are missing a feature or just want to chat, drop us a line at here.

*Fair use policy applies