Smart Lookup, a helpful feature within Microsoft Word that provided definitions, synonyms, and relevant links, has been discontinued. A Microsoft Support blog post confirmed the removal of this functionality, which had been available since 2016. This move appears to be part of a larger push towards encouraging users to adopt Microsoft’s Copilot AI.
The End of Smart Lookup in Word
Right-clicking a word and selecting “Search” from the context menu previously launched the Smart Lookup panel. Now, users are met with either an error message (“Sorry, something went wrong. Please try again”) or a perpetually loading blank space. The feature has also been removed from the standalone Office 2024 suite, signaling its complete removal from the Microsoft ecosystem.
A Non-Functional Search Option Remains
Despite the feature’s removal, the “Search” option persists in the right-click context menu, creating a confusing user experience. Clicking on this option yields no results, further highlighting the disconnect between the menu option and the absent functionality. It remains to be seen if Microsoft will remove the now-useless “Search” option in future updates.
A History of Retiring Features
Microsoft’s decision to discontinue Smart Lookup follows a pattern of retiring popular tools. Paint 3D, for example, was previously axed and ceased receiving updates. More recently, the long-standing WordPad application was discontinued after 29 years, a move that resonated with many nostalgic users.
Copilot: The Likely Successor
While Microsoft hasn’t officially stated that Copilot is replacing Smart Lookup, the timing and functionality overlap strongly suggest this. Copilot, integrated directly within Word, offers similar capabilities, providing definitions, links, and writing assistance. Microsoft’s recent expansion of Copilot with Copilot Actions, offering AI agents in Microsoft 365 apps like Teams and Outlook (currently for business users), reinforces the company’s focus on AI-powered assistance.
The Future of In-App Assistance in Microsoft Word
The removal of Smart Lookup marks a shift in Microsoft’s approach to in-app assistance, leaning heavily towards AI-driven solutions like Copilot. Whether this transition will ultimately benefit users remains to be seen. The added functionality of Copilot might outweigh the loss of the simpler Smart Lookup tool for some, while others may miss the straightforward nature of the retired feature.
