Using the Archie Word Add-in

Learn how to install and use the Archie Word Add-in to optimise your document work in Microsoft Word.

Installing the Archie Word Add-in

1. Open the Microsoft Word App on your PC.

2. Select Add-ins, located on the right-hand side of the Word ribbon.

   

3. Select More add-ins and click on the Store tab to open the Microsoft add-in store.
4. Search for "Archie" and install the Smokeball Archie add-in.

   • Note: If you cannot find the add-in on the Store, try installing it from this link to the Microsoft Marketplace listing then clicking Get it now.

     

5. Select Add-ins again on the Word ribbon and click on Smokeball Archie.

   

6. The Archie Word add-in will appear on the right-hand side of Word. Log in with your Smokeball email, password and 2FA code when prompted.

   

Using the Archie Word Add-in

The Archie Word Add-in is a panel that opens up on the right-hand side of your Word document. 

Assigning a matter

When a document is opened from a Smokeball matter, the add-in automatically detects it and can access the matter details, documents and email files.

If you opened Word outside of Smokeball, click on Assign a matter to this document at the top of the panel to manually select a matter for Archie to work with.

To change the matter you have connected Archie to, select the Arrow icon to the right of the matter name, then select Change matter. You can also Unlink the matter from this drop-down menu.

Choosing Archie's AI model

Select the Ellipsis icon under the chat text box to specify which AI model Archie should use. 

Microsoft Word supports a different set of Archie AI models compared to those available when using Archie in your matters. 

Here's a helpful guide on each of the models available for Archie in Microsoft Word:

• OpenAI GPT-4.1 - A dependable all-rounder that's especially good with long or multiple documents. It can read large contracts and document sets in one go without losing track and is reliable at following detailed instructions. 
  Use it when: you're working across long documents or several files at once or need Archie to follow precise drafting instructions.

• Gemini 3.1 Flash The fast, efficient option. It keeps up with everyday work at speed without a big drop in quality and can put in extra effort on trickier questions when needed. 
  Use it when: you want quick answers for routine work — summaries, quick questions, straightforward drafting — and when responsiveness matters most.

• Gemini 3.1 Pro The top-end model for the hardest work. It reasons more deeply and is the strongest choice for complex matters, cross-document analysis, and spotting conflicts or ambiguity across a file. 
  Use it when: the matter is complex or high-stakes and getting it right matters more than speed.
  NOTE: If wanting to draft long documents using Archie, the Gemini Flash model is a better fit since its output capacity is larger compared to the Gemini Pro model. 

Chatting with Archie about your document

Once you have assigned a matter, you can ask Archie questions about the document. 

You can attach additional documents from the matter to help with providing additional context to Archie. Select the Paperclip icon and choose one or more files from your matter's documents list.

Below are some ways you can interact with Archie in Word.

Extracting key information

Ask Archie to extract key information from the document so you don't have to read through the entire document.

Document citations are linked at the bottom of the Archie output. Click on a citation to jump to the location of the Word document it is referring to.

Editing and adding content to the document

Ask Archie to edit or rewrite specific parts of the document.

You can also ask Archie to generate and insert new content (such as a section) into the document.

Selecting text in the document will make the Improve writing button appear above the chat box. Clicking on Improve writing makes Archie analyse the selected text and generate a clearer version of the text while preserving its original meaning.

Archie will utilise the Tracking functionality in Word to log the changes to the document. Navigate to Review Tab > Accept/Reject buttons in the Word ribbon to accept or reject Archie's suggestions.

Starting a new chat

To start a fresh conversation with Archie, select the Notes icon on the top-right corner of the conversation.

Saving commonly used document prompts

The Prompt tab located at the bottom of the Archie panel is where you can save commonly used prompts to the Word add-in. This Prompt Library is separate to the one used in the Archie tab in Smokeball, as it's designed for storing document-focused prompts, while the regular Prompt Library supports broader use cases.

Using Archie Word add-in Apps

Select the Apps tab located on the bottom of the Archie panel to view and use apps that are connected to the Archie Word add-in.

Translate App

Currently the Archie Word add-in has one app - Translate. The Translate app allows you to translate selected text or entire documents into other languages.

If you select a section of text in the document, the option to Translate selected paragraphs only will be selectable.

Once the text has been translated, the original and translated versions are put side-by-side to help you review and compare.

Using Archie for Document Review

Select the Review tab at the bottom of the Archie panel to run structured document reviews using predefined rule sets called Playbooks.

A Playbook is a set of rules based on how you and your firm would like documents to be written. This could includes structure, wording, required clauses, formatting and compliance requirements.

Learn more about creating Playbooks for your firm.

Smokeball AI disclaimer
Like all AI tools, Archie is powerful but not infallible. Always review Archie's findings carefully before acting on them. Archie is a document review assistant, not a substitute for legal judgment.