Copilot Not Working

Fix Copilot in PowerPoint Cannot Create a Draft from a Word File

Maira Mehtab Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are unable to use Copilot in PowerPoint to generate a presentation from a Word document, receiving a 'Something went wrong' error despite having correct licenses and OneDrive access.

Product: Microsoft PowerPoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to automatically create a PowerPoint presentation draft from a referenced Word document using Copilot.
Observed behavior: Copilot throws a 'Something went wrong' error message and fails to generate the presentation.

Before you start

Ensure that your Microsoft 365 subscription is active and that the Word document you want to reference is completely synced to the exact OneDrive or SharePoint account associated with your Copilot license.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Account Credentials and File Location

Ensure you are using the correct Copilot-licensed account and that the file is stored in a supported cloud location.

Copilot requires strict authentication and cannot access local files or files stored in unrelated Microsoft accounts.

Sign out of multiple accounts

Click your profile picture in the top right corner of PowerPoint and sign out of any unrelated Microsoft accounts (e.g., personal accounts if you are using a Business E3 license).

Sign in with licensed account

Sign back in strictly using the account that has the active Microsoft 365 Copilot license.

Verify OneDrive location

Navigate to your OneDrive or SharePoint online and confirm the target Word document is uploaded and synced there.

Retry Copilot prompt

Open Copilot in PowerPoint, select 'Create presentation from file', and choose the verified document.

Solution 2

Test with a Simpler Word Document

Determine if the issue is caused by the size, formatting, or complexity of the specific Word document.

Solution 3

Use PowerPoint for the Web and Clear Cache

Bypass local desktop application glitches by using the web version of PowerPoint.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Copilot say 'Something went wrong' when referencing a Word file?

This typically occurs if the file is not stored in the exact OneDrive or SharePoint account tied to your Copilot license, if the file is too large or complex, or if there is a temporary Microsoft 365 service outage.

Can I use a locally saved Word document to create a PowerPoint draft with Copilot?

No, Copilot requires the referenced Word document to be uploaded and fully synced to your Microsoft 365 OneDrive or SharePoint account to read and process the contents.

Is there a file size limit for Word documents used by Copilot in PowerPoint?

While Microsoft does not publish a strict kilobyte limit, extremely long documents or those with heavy media and complex formatting can cause Copilot processing to time out. It is recommended to test with a simplified document or split the file into smaller sections.

How do I check if Microsoft Copilot is experiencing a service outage?

You can check the Microsoft 365 Admin Center for service health advisories, or follow Microsoft Support channels online to see if there are active incidents affecting Copilot functionality.

Microsoft Copilot Issues