August for Word: How to Use

August for Word: How to Use

Overview

August for Word lets you draft, edit, revise, and redline legal documents directly inside Microsoft Word. You can generate new language, refine existing clauses, and run structured reviews without switching applications. This keeps your workflow fast, consistent, and integrated with your firm’s document environment.

Getting Started

Before using the add in:

• Verify that you have a valid August account and access to your organization workspace
• Install Microsoft Word on desktop or Office 365

Installation Steps

1. Open Word
2. Go to Insert → Add ins or your firm’s add in catalog
3. Search for August or install it using the URL provided by your admin
4. Select Add
5. Open the August pane from the Word ribbon
6. Sign in through Single Sign On to connect to your firm workspace

Once signed in, you can use August’s drafting, editing, and review tools directly in Word.

Using August in Word

Ask or Draft Mode

Use Draft Mode to generate new content.

Examples:

• Draft a mutual NDA under New York law
• Summarize key obligations in this contract

You may upload reference materials such as past agreements or term sheets to guide the draft.

Steps:

1. Open the August pane
2. Enter your request
3. Upload reference documents if needed
4. Select Run or Generate
5. Insert the produced text into your Word document

Use Draft Mode when you need new content rather than edits to existing text.

Edit or Redline Mode

Use Edit Mode to revise or redline existing text.

Steps:

1. Select the portion of the document you want to revise, or leave nothing selected to target the full document
2. Open Edit Mode in the August pane
3. Describe the changes you want

Examples:

• Convert this clause to be more buyer friendly
• Update defined terms to match standard definitions

4. Run the edit
5. Review suggested changes through Word tracked changes

Edit Mode is designed for precise, context aware revisions.

Applying Playbooks and Workflows in Word

Playbooks allow you to apply structured review processes directly within Word.

Use Playbooks for tasks such as:

• NDA review
• Key terms extraction
• Clause compliance checks
• Risk flagging
• Summaries or structured reports

Steps:

1. Open the document
2. Navigate to Playbooks or Workflows in the August pane
3. Select a Playbook
4. Run the review
5. Review flagged items, accept or reject suggestions, or export reports

Playbooks help ensure consistency and reduce manual review effort.

Recommended Best Practices

• Use Draft Mode for initial drafts and Edit Mode for refinement
• Attach precedents or historical agreements to guide your edits or drafts
• Use Playbooks for recurring or high volume tasks
• Review all redlines and suggested edits before finalizing
• Keep formatting, numbering, and styles intact to avoid inconsistencies

File and Document Compatibility

• August for Word supports .docx formats
• Works with current Microsoft Word desktop and Office 365 versions
• Very large or complex documents may perform more slowly depending on system resources
• For best results, avoid making simultaneous manual edits while an August operation is running

Why Use August for Word

• Work directly in Word without switching between tools
• Generate drafts, revise content, or run reviews quickly
• Maintain internal consistency and quality standards
• Scale across single contracts or large libraries with structured workflows
• Enhance productivity while maintaining full control over edits