Smart Lookup in Word allows users to interact with the web without leaving the program. But did you know Smart Lookup can do something similar in Word? Yeah, it’s a game-changer for anyone who needs quick information while working on a document. In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through how to use Smart Lookup and Search in Word, step by step. You’ll learn how to do online searches, insert images, create citations, and embed links—without ever leaving your Word document.

Let’s get started.

What Is Smart Lookup in Word?

Smart Lookup in Word is a handy tool that lets you search the web for information while staying within your document. Whether you’re writing a research paper, working on a report, or just need quick info, this feature helps you find relevant content from credible sources with just a few clicks.

It can pull information from various resources such as:

  • Websites
  • Online support (Office documentation)
  • Creative Commons images

Then, you can use the results to enrich your document directly by inserting links, citations, or even images, all without switching to a web browser.

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How to Use Smart Lookup and Search in Word

Here’s a straightforward guide on how to use the Smart Lookup function in Word in your Word documents:

1. Highlight Text and Access Smart Lookup

To search for something in your document, first, highlight the specific text. For instance, say you want more info about “Smart Art Graphics.”

Steps:

  • Highlight the phrase “Smart Art Graphics.”
  • Right-click on the highlighted text.
  • From the dropdown menu, select Search.

By doing this, Word will conduct an online search using Bing (the default search engine for Microsoft). This brings up various web results, including articles, blogs, and Microsoft Office support resources.

2. Narrow Down Search Results

Once you use the Search function, a pane will appear on the right side of your document showing various search results. But here’s how you go deeper:

Steps:

  • Switch to Web: At the bottom of the search pane, you’ll notice an option that says More. Click this and select Web.

This filters your results down to specific websites, making it easier to find exactly what you’re looking for.

Once you’ve found useful content, you have two options: Read it within Word or open it in your default browser.

Steps:

  • Click More actions (three vertical dots next to each search result).
  • Choose Open to open the document in your browser.

If the page is an Office support document, it can often be opened directly within Word itself. This way, you can view official help pages without ever leaving your editing space.

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Found a relevant article or webpage? You can easily add the link to your Word document for future reference or to share it with others.

Steps:

  • Click More actions (next to the search result).
  • Select Insert as link.

This instantly adds a clickable link to your document. Anyone you share the document with can open the link by pressing Ctrl while clicking.

5. Create Citations from Search Results

If you’re working on academic content or any other project that requires proper citations, this feature is for you. Smart Lookup in Word allows you to insert search results as citations, which include relevant details like the source and publication date.

Steps:

  • Highlight the result you want to cite.
  • Click More actions, then select Insert as citation.

Word will automatically format the reference by giving it quotes, a citation date, and a clickable link to the source.

6. Insert Creative Commons Images

Need images? You can search for pictures without worrying about copyright issues. Word’s Smart Lookup in Word pulls Creative Commons licensed images, meaning you’re free to use them as long as you give credit to the creator.

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Steps:

  • Below the search bar, hit the Pictures tab.
  • Ensure that Creative Commons only is selected.
  • Choose your image and Word will insert it into your document, including proper credit attribution.

7. Use Built-In Microsoft Help

If you’re ever stuck or need clarification on certain Word features, Smart Lookup can also pull up Microsoft Office Help documents.

Steps:

  • Highlight any feature or term, say “track changes.”
  • Right-click and go to Search.
  • If related Office support articles appear, select and open them.

If opened from this pane, these Microsoft Help articles will conveniently appear within Word without the need to open your browser.

Wrapping It Up

Smart Lookup and Search in Word takes your productivity to the next level by putting the web (and Word’s support docs) at your fingertips. Whether you’re looking for more information, citations, or images, you can do it all without leaving Word or interrupting your workflow. The next time you’re writing or researching, take advantage of this feature to save time and focus on what matters most—your content.

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Got any questions about Smart Lookup in Microsoft Word in general? Drop them in the comments! Thanks for reading.

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