Why Rewrite Suggestions Are Missing in Office 2021 Word
Question details
The user needs to understand why the Rewrite Suggestions feature is unavailable in their copy of Microsoft Word after purchasing Office 2021.
- Product
- Microsoft Word 2021
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to use Microsoft Editor's context menu tools to rewrite or rephrase sentences.
- Observed behavior
- The Rewrite Suggestions option does not appear in the right-click context menu or within the Editor panel in Office 2021.
Verify that your computer is connected to the internet, as cloud-backed features like Microsoft Editor require an active connection to analyze text.
Check Your Office License and Version
Determine if your current license supports Rewrite Suggestions, as the feature is primarily restricted to Microsoft 365 subscriptions.
Rewrite Suggestions is an advanced, cloud-based feature of Microsoft Editor. It was introduced to Office Insiders and is largely exclusive to Microsoft 365 subscribers. Because Office 2021 is a one-time purchase (a perpetual license), it does not receive ongoing feature updates like Microsoft 365 does, meaning advanced AI writing features are excluded.
Open Microsoft Word, click on 'File' in the top left corner, and select 'Account' at the bottom of the left-hand menu.
Look under the 'Product Information' section. If it reads 'Microsoft Office LTSC 2021' or 'Office Home & Student 2021', your version does not include the Rewrite Suggestions feature.
To gain access to premium features like Rewrite Suggestions, you must purchase a Microsoft 365 subscription and activate it on your Microsoft account.
Update Office and Check Context Menu
Ensure your Office suite is fully updated, as pending updates can occasionally prevent features from showing up even on supported licenses.
Rewrite Sentences Effortlessly with WPS AI
If your current version of Microsoft Office lacks sentence rewriting tools, you can use WPS Office. With built-in WPS AI, you can instantly rewrite, polish, and summarize text without needing an expensive premium subscription.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for free, then open your existing Word document within the WPS Writer application.
- 2. Select the Text: Highlight the sentence or paragraph you wish to rewrite or improve.
- 3. Activate WPS AI: Click the 'WPS AI' icon that appears in the floating toolbar or navigate to the WPS AI tab on the ribbon.
- 4. Choose Rewrite Options: Select the 'Rewrite', 'Make Shorter', or 'Make Longer' prompt to generate new versions of your text, then apply the best suggestion to your document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Rewrite Suggestions be added to Office 2021 in a future update?
No. Office 2021 is a perpetual license, meaning its feature set is locked at the time of release. It only receives security and stability patches, not new cloud-based features like Rewrite Suggestions.
Is Microsoft Editor included in Office 2021?
Yes, a basic version of Microsoft Editor is included for standard spelling and grammar checking. However, advanced tools, stylistic feedback, and Rewrite Suggestions require a Microsoft 365 subscription.
Can I use the Rewrite feature online for free?
If you use Word for the Web (the free online version), you have access to some Microsoft Editor tools. However, the premium Rewrite Suggestions are typically restricted to users signed in with an active Microsoft 365 subscription.
