AI Summary
The Sprocket AI Summary web part helps readers understand long SharePoint pages faster. It adds a simple summary prompt to the page and generates a structured summary when the reader asks for it.
AI Summary supports two summary providers:
| Provider | Best for |
|---|---|
| Microsoft 365 Copilot | Organisations that want summaries generated through their Microsoft 365 Copilot. This is the default option. |
| OpenAI | Organisations that prefer to use their own OpenAI API key. |
What Readers See
When the web part is added to a page, readers see a Summarize this article for me button.
After selecting it, the summary is shown in three sections:
- Purpose & Scope
- Key Points
- Quick Summary of Content
Readers can hide the summary when they are finished. The web part also reminds readers that AI-generated content may be incorrect and should be reviewed before use.
Adding the Web Part
- Go to the SharePoint page where you want the summary prompt to appear.
- Click Edit.
- Click the + icon to add a web part.
- Search for AI Summary - Sprocket 365.
- Select the web part.
- Choose the summary provider and tone in the property pane.
- Publish the page.
Configuration Options
| Setting | Description | Options | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary Data Source | Selects the AI provider used to generate the summary. | Microsoft 365 Copilot, OpenAI | Microsoft 365 Copilot |
| Summary Tone | Controls the style of the generated summary. | Professional, Casual, Technical | Professional |
| Show Title | Shows or hides the web part title. | On / Off | Off |
| Show in Panel | Displays the web part in a panel layout. | On / Off | Off |
| Custom Styles | Adds custom CSS for this web part. | CSS | None |
| Custom CSS Class | Applies a custom CSS class to the web part. | Text | None |
Microsoft 365 Copilot
Microsoft 365 Copilot is the default summary provider. Use this option when your organisation has Copilot available and wants summaries handled through Microsoft 365.
If Copilot is not available for the current user, the web part will show a message explaining that Copilot access may need to be reviewed. An administrator may need to confirm the user's Copilot licence, third-party app access, and required Sprocket 365 Graph permissions.
OpenAI
OpenAI is optional. Select OpenAI as the Summary Data Source if your organisation wants to generate summaries using its own OpenAI account.
Before using OpenAI, add your OpenAI API key in Advanced Settings.
How Summaries Stay Current
AI Summary stores the generated summary for the page and selected tone. When the page is updated and published, the web part can generate a fresh summary so readers do not keep seeing an outdated version.
While editing a page, the web part may show a message that the summary will be generated after the page is published and viewed in read mode.
Tips for Best Results
- Place AI Summary near the top of long pages so readers can decide whether they need to read the full article.
- Use Professional for business updates, policies, and executive content.
- Use Casual for community pages, team updates, and lighter intranet content.
- Use Technical for procedural or technical documentation.
- Keep important source content on the page itself. The summary is generated from the available page content.
FAQs
Do I need an OpenAI API key?
Only if you choose OpenAI as the summary data source. Microsoft 365 Copilot is the default option and does not use your OpenAI API key.
Can we use Microsoft 365 Copilot instead of OpenAI?
Yes. Microsoft 365 Copilot is now available as the default summary provider.
What happens if Copilot is unavailable?
The web part shows a message explaining that Copilot could not generate the summary. Ask your Microsoft 365 administrator to confirm Copilot access and required permissions, or switch the web part to OpenAI.
What happens if the OpenAI key is missing?
If the web part is set to OpenAI and no API key is configured, it shows a message asking you to add the API key in Sprocket settings.
Can AI Summary summarize pages with very little content?
The web part works best on pages with enough written content to summarize. If the page content is too short, the summary may be limited or unavailable.
Should users rely on the summary as the official version of the content?
No. AI-generated content can be incorrect. Treat the summary as a reading aid, not as a replacement for the page content.