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The "Reference a file" feature not working as documented
In Word, and based on the help documentation, I'm supposed to see the "Your computer" and "Online" tabs but I don't see them when I choose "Reference a file". I also see this in Outlook. I see only three Excel files and nothing else. These seem to be the last three Excel worksheets I accessed since the installation of Copilot. I tried to save an online Word document in OneDrive but wasn't able to see this file when I clicked on "Reference a file". What might be the issue?
- Hi mjudi,
Copilot can only use files which are stored "in scope of the platform". For example SharePoint Online (and OneDrive). Depending on the application from which you start the prompt it will show the last 3 or 10 accessed items.
To use another file you need to paste the full path after the "/".
- A mi no me funciona pese a tener una cuenta Microsoft 365 y usar correctamente los URLs de los archivos en SharePoint o Onedrive. Lo raro es que si funciona en TEAMS y en la version online
- Yes, this is one of the most frustrating shortcomings of the Copilot in Word at the moment (as of 26 June 2024). According to the MS support the ability to reference files other than the 3 files from Most Recently Used (MRU) list (which by they way also doesn't work too well) is only available in Word Online but not in the full Word client (and of course you have to be licensed accordingly, which I'm).
My situation is still the same as it was on May 21. Word Online appears as follows:
No file can be selected.
With the iPad app, the selection is available:
But nothing can be selected. Even if the direct path is entered, it does not work.
I (unfortunately) can't use the desktop app because I'm on vacation.
I do get an option to browse files from the cloud when using Word for the web:
It allows me to search for files in the company's sites.
mjudi
I can add to this discussion that Microsoft training refers to this interface as the Most Recently Used (MRU).
The recommended way (according to Microsoft guidance) to use this is to open the file that you want to reference and then use the / command to open the MRU interface.
I don't have the exact location of where i learned this, but I believe it was somewhere on Learn in one of the Copilot cources.This procedure does not work for me.
It only works if the effective path is copied (Share>Copy link) and pasted after the "/".
I am also an "affected person" (Microsoft 365 Family + Copilot Pro). It would be a great pity if this feature was only available later or not at all. That would be one of the main reasons to cancel Copilot Pro.
Today I made the following observations:
In PowerPoint (and ONLY in PowerPoint) the "/Start typing to search" is displayed. However, nothing can be entered or an error message is displayed.
Are there any news?
Best Regards
Andreas
Following CoPilot's instructions, I cut/paste the filenames of a recent OneDrive file and and older OneDrive file. In both instances I received the following reply:
The files I am trying to access have the same permission settings as the 3 (unhelpful) files CoPilot suggests I open when I just press /
Am I missing a step?
Hi JLoODC ,
In the copilot prompt, I type the /[filename] where [filename] is the complete name of the file including the extension, no path, no square brackets like /yourdocument.pdf. Even if it doesn't show up, Copilot will retrieve the file from OneDrive. Of course, the file must be saved in your OneDrive or SharePoint.
I hope this helps, kind regards,
Andre_Caron - thank you! Curious that CoPilot gives different instructions. Add that to the bug list, I guess.
- I’ve faced the same, and I’m convinced it’s not working as it’s designed. When you use World Online you have the ability to browse the cloud and select a specific file on your OneDrive or SharePoint. Why this functionality isn’t available in the desktop version of the app, I have no idea.
mjudi I also cannot get this to work. Is it an "Enterprise" feature? I am using 365 Personal and Copilot Pro. It doesn't seem to recognise any documents when I type /
paulskully you don't even get a list of three documents? As far as I'm aware, CoPilot is only available on the Enterprise edition if I'm not mistaken.
- Hi mjudi,
Copilot can only use files which are stored "in scope of the platform". For example SharePoint Online (and OneDrive). Depending on the application from which you start the prompt it will show the last 3 or 10 accessed items.
To use another file you need to paste the full path after the "/".We are also experience this issue on multiple customer tenants.
Even files, that are synced are not being found.
MichelvanVliet I've tried it also by posting the full path copied from sharepoint but also that way it doesn't work. I get the answer "I'm sorry, but I am unable to access or provide information about the SharePoint link you provided. Is there anything else I can help you with?"sgideon The "reference a file feature" uses the Semantec index and Microsoft Search. This means that files need to be "indexed" before Copilot will be able use these. It can take a while before the Symantec index is built initially. Officially it can take up to two weeks as far as I know.
After that period, if these files still cannot be referenced: open an support case.
I'm not even getting option to select reference to a file, I'm using copilot pro on family 365. MichelvanVliet
- Do you resolve the problem?
I have a personal office and copilot pro
I uploaded documents to my one drive but these documents do not appear
What I missing?
I read a lot of people with the same problem.
I waste few days to figure this out:
The "/refference" feature and some of other Copilot Pro most desirable features works ONLY on Microsoft 365 E3 or E5 plan (not shure, but it might also not work on Business Basic, Business Standard, or Business Premium).
The problem is that you have purchased a Copilot Pro license, but you do not have a compatible Microsoft 365 plan as Microsoft 365 E3 or E5. If you have a Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscription, you can only use Copilot in select Microsoft 365 apps, but not Copilot Pro. Thats mean that to use the “/reference a file” feature MS apps you need to change a plan for E3 of E5 subscription.If you swich between accounts during the session in Word you will see following error:
1. In Personal or Family account with a Copilot Pro subscription you will find that "/refference" feature shows no results ("No suggestions avaiable"). Also if you will try to manually write down the file name or file path to OneDrive or path on your PC, the Copilot will process the request to infinity (with no respond) or will give an error: "Something went wrong. Please try again in a moment." or "Copilot can`t generate high-quality content for this. Please change your description and try again."
2. Now try to switch accounts
Go to Account and swich for Enterprise (or School account) with NO Copilot Pro plan. Here after promting "/" you will be able to see few files in dialog box. This will confirm that OneDerive search of refference path finding configurated and works properly, so it is able to find some files.But after you ask Copilot to work with this documents the following error will appear:
"We encountered a problem validating your Copilot license. For more information, see https://aka.ms/copilotlicensecheck"So according to my "investigation" you cant use Copilot Pro features in Family or Personal plan. You can use only basic version of Copilot. This mean that the only way you can use Copilot Pro is in Bing chat with using all those GPT+ features and its completely not worth it untill Microsoft will allow personal users to use Copilot Pro in MS365 apps as it is possible for Enterprise users.
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Edition 01.02.2024
I contacted Microsoft Support and it was confirmed that reference file feature "/" should work for MS365 Family apps but it`s not working. So its not in accordance to official documentation. The tier 2 technical support will work on this bug/error.
