Microsoft Office: Intelligent Services
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Office Intelligent Services

Microsoft Office contains many useful features, including a language translator and PowerPoint Designer. But when you try to use these features, a prompt may ask you to activate Intelligent Services first. While it may seem like an easy decision, you should consider what you're agreeing to when you decide to turn on these features.

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What are Intelligent Services?

Intelligent Services power several cloud-enhanced features throughout Office. In order for these features to work, Microsoft must collect and analyze the contents of your document. In addition, it will collect data on how you use Office.

Privacy Check: According to Microsoft's privacy statement, collected data is used for product development, research, and targeted advertising. Ask yourself if you're comfortable with Microsoft having access to your work before enabling it.

Activating Intelligent Services

By default, Intelligent Services is turned off. You have two ways to activate it:

  1. The Quick Method: Select an Intelligent Services-based feature (like Translate). When the prompt appears, simply click Turn on.
  2. The Settings Method: Follow the steps below for a manual activation.

To enable Intelligent Services manually:

  1. Click the File tab in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or Outlook.
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  2. Click Options.
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  3. Click the checkbox labeled Enable services, then click OK.
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Notable Features

PowerPoint Designer

This tool analyzes images, lists, and text to generate professional-looking slides. It uses Intelligent Services to provide personalized suggestions.

  • To use it, go to the Design tab and click Design Ideas.
    • Notable Features
  • Note: This feature is exclusive to Office 365 subscribers.

Smart Lookup

Conduct an online search for a word or phrase without leaving your document. Right-click a term and select Smart Lookup to see relevant results and definitions on the right.

Office Intelligent Services smart Lookup

Translate

Right-click a word or phrase and select Translate to convert text into dozens of languages. Office Intelligent Services Translate

Heads Up: Translation results aren't always 100% accurate, so review them carefully.

Office 365 Exclusives

Microsoft continues to add more Intelligent Service-based features to Office 365. Upcoming and current exclusives include:

  • Ideas in Excel: Suggests different ways to visualize and display your data.
  • LinkedIn Resume Assistant: Uses the LinkedIn database to help your resume stand out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I turn off Intelligent Services after enabling them?

Yes. You can return to File > Options at any time and uncheck the Enable services box to stop data collection and disable these features.

Does Microsoft read my confidential documents?

While an automated system "analyzes" the content to provide features (like translation or design), Microsoft states this data is used for service improvement. If your document is highly sensitive, it is safer to keep Intelligent Services disabled.

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