Smart Lookup missing from Word

Anonymous
2020-12-06T14:43:49+00:00

The "Smart Lookup" function (and icon) has been replaced with a generic and not very useful "Search" option. I am running the latest update - handled automatically by Office 365. Also, the "connected experiences" option is enabled in the privacy settings. Starting in Safe Mode doesn't solve anything here.

Smart Lookup works just fine in both Excel and OneNote.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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Anonymous
2020-12-07T04:23:42+00:00

Hi Blitz,

Thank you for querying in this forum.

According to your description, it seems that you have updated your Microsoft Office, however, you cannot find Smart Lookup option in Word, and you can only use Search option. And it works fine in Excel and OneNote.

May I know if my understanding is right? If so, we have tested it on our side with the latest version of Current Channel Version 2011 (Build 13426.20308), and we typed the text in Word and right-clicked the Word and we cannot find Smart Lookup option, and we can search option. As shown below:

 

We have also tested it with the latest version of Current Preview channel version 2011 (Build 13426.20306) and we still cannot find Smart Lookup options. And only Search option can be available. In the meantime, we have also went to Word > File > Options > Customized ribbon and added smart Lookup, however, when we went to ribbon and check this option, we found this option is named as Search instead of Smart Lookup. And per our test, Smart Lookup feature is similar with Search feature now and they just have the different names.

At the same time, if we used Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel (Preview) 2008 (Build 13127.20760), we still can see this Smart Lookup option when we right-clicked it. If you want to use this Smart Lookup option.

Since we can reproduce the same situation, given this situation, we do understand the inconvenience caused and apologize for it. Given this situation, on the one hand, to address your concern, the best way to deal with the problem is to directly feedback via going to Word > File > Feedback, this is the best platform to let us hear from you and make our products and services better for you and others.

On the other hand, if you still want to use Smart Lookup option, you can also switch the channel to Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel (Preview) 2008 (Build 13127.20760), for more details, you can refer to this article: Change the Microsoft 365 Apps update channel for devices in your organization.

If the scenario above is not consistent with yours, you can also post back and provide the version of your Word, and we will do more tests on our side.

Your understanding and patience will be highly appreciated.

Best Regards,

Sukie

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Stefan Blom 357.7K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
2020-12-07T10:21:38+00:00

Here, I'm running a perpetual license of Office 2019, and I'm seeing this as well. However, what is called simply "Search" in Word 2019 (on the References tab), is called "Smart Lookup" in Excel, and both commands display the same task pane:

I have always assumed that this applied to perpetual licenses, only.

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  1. Stefan Blom 357.7K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2020-12-07T13:00:41+00:00

    Thanks for the follow-up.

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-12-07T12:40:51+00:00

    However, what is called simply "Search" in Word 2019 (on the References tab), is called "Smart Lookup" in Excel, and both commands display the same task pane.

    That's how it is now working for me as well. A couple of days ago I got a different result in Word. Using the word "mountain" as a test, Word's Search pane first offered a number of internet links to businesses selling mountain bikes! Not very useful, frankly. If I scrolled down far enough, I would find an actual definition. It may have been just a glitch in the system.

    I can live with a simple change of labels.

    Thanks.

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