---
title: "Rewriting an Article with AI"
description: "Use HelpDocs AI's Rewrite feature to refine or expand articles: rewrite the whole piece or selected content, pick a style, and review the draft before keeping it."
url: "https://support.helpdocs.io/article/6u4g9x11ec-rewriting-an-article-with-ai"
category: "HelpDocs AI"
updated_at: "2026-11-03T17:57:20Z"
---

# Rewriting an Article with AI

Use the Rewrite feature to refine or expand an existing article with HelpDocs AI. The AI produces a new draft from your article and your instructions, and you choose whether to keep it.

Rewrite needs to be switched on first. Turn on **Rewrite articles** in your [AI settings](/article/f3hmdnh38u-configuring-helpdocs-ai). Each rewrite uses [AI credits](/article/pnlhzz2h5m).

Rewrite entire articleSelect content to rewrite

1. Save any changes
2. Click ![](https://files.helpdocs.io/Ytt2uahFxY/articles/6u4g9x11ec/1793727023476/magic-wand.svg) **Rewrite** in the bar at the bottom right of the editor  
   ![The bar at the bottom of the editor with Versions, the word count, and the Rewrite button](https://files.helpdocs.io/Ytt2uahFxY/articles/6u4g9x11ec/1793641221117/rewrite-butto.png)
3. Under **Requested changes**, describe what you want added, removed, or reworded.
4. Pick a **Style**. **Existing** keeps your article's current voice, or choose **Neutral**, **Casual**, **Technical**, or **Custom** to describe your own. If your team enforces a default style, you won't see this option.  
   ![The Rewrite article with AI window with requested changes filled in and the Existing style selected](https://files.helpdocs.io/Ytt2uahFxY/articles/6u4g9x11ec/1793641223060/rewrite-modal.png)
5. Click **Rewrite**

<!--THE END-->

1. Save any changes
2. Highlight the content you'd like to rewrite
3. Click the ![](https://files.helpdocs.io/Ytt2uahFxY/articles/6u4g9x11ec/1793727386316/sparkle-icon.svg) **Rewrite button** in the inline toolbar  
   ![Text editor toolbar with formatting tools and a highlighted AI sparkles icon.](https://files.helpdocs.io/Ytt2uahFxY/articles/6u4g9x11ec/1793727491587/screenshot-2026-11-03-at-17-38-01.png)
4. In the modal, write what you'd like to change  
   ![Rewrite with AI modal with a prompt requesting to turn content into a tabs block](https://files.helpdocs.io/Ytt2uahFxY/articles/6u4g9x11ec/1793727903318/screenshot-2026-11-03-at-17-31-34.png)
5. Hit Rewrite to start the process

### Rewriting the whole article vs selecting content

You have two ways to rewrite. Both give you a draft to review, so the real question is how much of your article you want the AI to touch.

| **Option**                    | **Best for**                                                                                                      | **Why use it**                                                                                                                                                   |
|-------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Rewrite entire article**    | Changes that affect the whole piece, like a new tone, a simpler reading level, or a fresh structure               | The AI sees the full article, so the voice and flow stay consistent from top to bottom. You also get to pick a **Style** and review any changes before updating. |
| **Select content to rewrite** | Small, targeted edits like fixing one confusing paragraph, turning a list into a table, or updating a single step | Everything you did not highlight stays exactly as it is. It's quicker to review and there is less to double-check.                                               |

### Example prompts to try

Not sure what to ask for? Clear, specific prompts get the best drafts. Here are some ideas to get you started 🪄

| **Goal**                | **Example prompt**                                                                              |
|-------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Simplify**            | Rewrite this for a beginner. Use short sentences and avoid jargon.                              |
| **Shorten**             | Cut this down to the essentials. Keep every step but remove repeated explanations.              |
| **Expand**              | Add more detail to each step and explain why it matters.                                        |
| **Change the tone**     | Make this friendlier and more conversational, but keep it professional.                         |
| **Add structure**       | Break this into clear sections with headings and turn long paragraphs into numbered steps.      |
| **Use a table**         | Turn the bulleted list of options into a table with a column for each setting and what it does. |
| **Add examples**        | Add a short real-world example after each section.                                              |
| **Add a summary**       | Add a quick summary at the top so readers know what they will learn.                            |
| **Fix clarity**         | Reword any confusing sentences and make sure each step has one clear action.                    |
| **Update for a change** | Update this article to say the button is now called Save draft. Leave everything else as it is. |

Be specific about what to keep as well as what to change. Adding "leave everything else as it is" helps the AI stay on track.

To write a new article instead of rewriting one, see [Drafting an Article with AI](/article/d0o93ykdod).