The problem: A vendor contract, a lease, or a long terms page lands on your desk. You know you should read it carefully, but it's 20 pages of dense language.
What you end up with: A plain-English summary of the key points (what you're agreeing to, dates, costs, renewal and cancellation terms) plus a list of questions to ask before you sign. It's not legal advice.
What you'll need
The document as a file you're allowed to share with your AI tool, and a short note on what matters most to you (like cost, length, or cancellation).
Getting set up
Got a long contract or report and only need the key points? This playbook sticks to what each tool's own docs say. First, pick a tool. Microsoft says Copilot in Word can summarize documents and check for missing info or inconsistencies. Google says Gemini Notebook turns your own files into insights grounded in your sources. Notion says its AI can answer questions with citations. Next, check that you're allowed to upload the document. Some contracts are confidential. Then, write down what you care about most. And last, use the summary to prepare. For anything important, ask a qualified professional.
Step by step
- Upload the document to your AI tool.
- Ask for a plain-English summary in a short list.
- Have it pull out key dates, costs, renewal terms, and how to cancel.
- Ask it to quote the exact section for each point.
- Have it list anything unusual or unclear, and questions to ask.
- Read the quoted sections yourself to confirm.
- Take your questions to the other party, or to a lawyer for anything important.
A prompt to start with
Try this prompt, and tweak it for your tool. "Summarize this document in plain English for a small business owner. List: what I'm agreeing to, key dates, all costs and fees, renewal terms, how to cancel, and any penalties. Quote the exact section for each point. Then list anything unusual or unclear, and 5 questions I should ask. If something isn't in the document, say 'not found.' This is for my own understanding, not legal advice."
What you'll get
A short summary with quoted sections, a list of key terms, unclear points, and questions to ask.
If something goes wrong
If points have no quotes, ask it to add the exact section for each. If it misses something you care about, ask about it directly. If the document is long, summarize one section at a time.
Keep in mind
This isn't legal advice, and an AI summary can miss or misread things. For contracts that matter, have a qualified professional review them. Only upload documents you're allowed to share.
Sources
- Microsoft Copilot for small business — product page and FAQ
- Google Workspace — AI tools for business
- Notion AI — product page
Where each fact came from
- Recommended tools · checked Oct 28, 2026 · rechecked regularly — Microsoft Copilot for small business — product page and FAQ
- Getting set up · checked Oct 28, 2026 · rechecked regularly — Microsoft Copilot for small business — product page and FAQ
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