Log in GO PRO NOW
GO PRO NOW
Your workflow could help someone. Share it!

Guides Claude

Redline Any Contract With Claude and Microsoft Word

In this guide, you will learn how to use Claude directly in Microsoft Word to redline legal documents before you sign or send them.

beginner 4 steps

Introduction

In this guide, you will learn how to use Claude directly in Microsoft Word to redline legal documents before you sign or send them.

Step-by-step 4 steps

Instructions

  1. Step 1 of 4

    Install Claude for Microsoft 365

    Open the Claude for Microsoft 365 Marketplace listing (https://marketplace.microsoft.com/en-us/product/office/WA200010725?tab=Overview), click Get it now, and sign in. Microsoft will ask for permission to let Claude work in Word. Approve the add-in, then choose Open in Word.

    Microsoft Word asks you to allow the Claude for Microsoft 365 add-in
    Microsoft Word asks you to allow the Claude for Microsoft 365 add-in

    Word will open the add-in and ask you to sign in with Claude. For most people, choose Log in. If your company uses a provider or has locked down add-ins, ask the Microsoft 365 admin who manages your Word setup to help with the connection.

    Claude for Word sign-in screen
    Claude for Word sign-in screen

    Once you are connected, you should see Claude in the top-right of Word. You can work with a DOCX directly. If your document is a PDF, open it with Word first so you can review and edit the converted document there.

  2. Step 2 of 4

    Ask Claude for a First-Pass Redline

    Open the contract you want to review in Word. Then ask Claude:

    Prompt 
    Do a first read of this contract and redline anything that needs attention or clarification.

    Claude may ask who you represent or offer a neutral read. Give it the lens you want it to use, then choose Tracked changes before it starts applying edits.

    Claude asks which side of the agreement you represent before it starts the redline
    Claude asks which side of the agreement you represent before it starts the redline
    Pro tip: Ask Claude to use tracked changes so you can review its edits just like you would a human’s work.

    Claude will return issue cards and suggested edits in the sidebar. Open the reasoning on a card when you want to see why it made the recommendation, then use Apply all only when you are comfortable with the suggestions.

    If Claude cannot redline a document with bookmarks, remove those bookmarks or have it return the recommended edits in the chat instead. That is a limitation worth checking before you rely on the workflow for an important document.

  3. Step 3 of 4

    Review the Tracked Changes

    Now you can review Claude’s recommendations and accept or reject them. Open Word’s Review tab to move through the tracked changes one at a time.

    This is the step where you keep the judgment. You can revise a suggestion, tell Claude what you want changed instead, or send the document to a teammate so they can review the same tracked changes in context.

    Claude applying an edit in its sidebar does not automatically finalize it in Word. Use the Word review controls to accept or reject each redline before treating the document as ready.

  4. Step 4 of 4

    Run Doc Check Before You Send It

    When you think you’re ready to sign or send a document, type / in Claude and run the Doc Check skill.

    Doc Check makes a final pass and may surface new items that need attention. Review those findings the same way you reviewed the earlier redlines. The goal is a cleaner document and better questions for the right reviewer—not a substitute for legal approval.

You're done

That's the whole workflow

Mark it complete to save your progress. Background and answers to common questions follow below.

Keep going

Keep learning with Rundown Pro

A guide shows you one workflow. Pro opens the full course library, so you can learn the whole system behind it.

  • Every on-demand course
  • Certifications on completion
  • Group office hours and member perks

$29/mo, cancel anytime

Overview Back to the steps

Background and context

Who This Is Useful For

  • Founders and operators who need a faster first pass on contracts, vendor agreements, or RFPs.
  • Marketers and project leads who need to understand an agreement before routing it to the right reviewer.
  • Anyone reviewing documents who wants clear, reviewable redlines without moving the file into another chat.

What You Will Build

Claude’s suggested contract edits shown as tracked redlines in Microsoft Word
Claude’s suggested contract edits shown as tracked redlines in Microsoft Word

You will build a first-pass contract review workflow inside Word. Claude will surface suggested edits as tracked changes, you or a teammate will make the final calls, and Doc Check will give the near-final document one more pass.

What You Need To Get Started

  • A paid Claude account, such as Claude Pro.
  • A Microsoft 365 license with Microsoft Word.
  • A contract, agreement, RFP, or other document you are allowed to review.
  • The Claude for Microsoft 365 Marketplace listing (https://marketplace.microsoft.com/en-us/product/office/WA200010725?tab=Overview).

This is a first-pass review workflow, not legal advice. Keep a qualified legal reviewer in the loop whenever the document or decision calls for one.

Going Further

After reviewing a few documents, open Claude chat’s three-dot menu and download the transcripts. Save a few real review transcripts in a Claude Project, then ask Claude to turn the common process into a reusable skill your teammates can use.

Claude turns the review process into a reusable contract review skill
Claude turns the review process into a reusable contract review skill

That gives your team a starting point that reflects how you actually review agreements. If your teammates are on the same Claude plan, share the skill with them. Otherwise, download the skill file and send it over so they can add it to Claude themselves.