Start with the deliverable: Tell ChatGPT Work what file you need, provide only the relevant source material, describe the structure, and explain how you will judge the result.

ChatGPT Work can help create and refine documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and PDFs. It is most useful when the task has a clear outcome and you can review the finished file.

A reliable file workflow

1. Prepare the sources. Remove unrelated content and confirm the files are permitted for use with the tool.
2. Name the deliverable. Ask for a specific file type, purpose, and audience.
3. Describe the structure. State required sections, columns, slide count, page length, or template.
4. Set review criteria. Identify what must be accurate, preserved, calculated, cited, or left unchanged.
5. Inspect the file. Check both content and visual layout. Open formulas, speaker notes, links, and metadata when relevant.
6. Request focused revisions. Point to a page, slide, table, cell range, or paragraph and say what should change.

Prompts by file type

• “Use the attached notes and memo template to create a two-page decision brief for the leadership team. Put the recommendation first, distinguish facts from assumptions, and retain the source links. Flag any missing information instead of inventing it.”
• “Clean the attached workbook without changing the raw-data tab. Create a separate summary tab with totals by department, document every formula, and highlight records that fail validation. Report the output path and checks performed.”
• “Turn the attached report into an eight-slide presentation for faculty. Use the existing template, one message per slide, readable charts, and speaker notes that cite each statistic’s source page.”
• “Create an accessible PDF checklist from the approved procedure. Use descriptive headings, short steps, adequate contrast, and a final section for help contacts. Verify that links work and that no text is clipped.”

Review before you use the file

• Names, dates, totals, formulas, quotations, and URLs match the source.
• The file opens in the software your audience uses.
• Nothing is clipped, overlapping, too small, or difficult to read.
• Charts have labels and do not exaggerate differences.
• Headings, reading order, alternative text, and color contrast support accessibility.
• Comments, tracked changes, hidden sheets, notes, and document properties do not expose unintended information.

Local or cloud?

In the desktop app, local work is appropriate when the task needs files or applications on your computer. Cloud work can continue after the computer is closed and can be useful for longer or scheduled tasks. Availability depends on SBS workspace settings. Only use files and tools that are approved for the task.

Related guides

• Write better prompts: a practical four-part method
• Review, correct, and improve an AI response

Official guidance

See OpenAI’s Work with files and Get started with ChatGPT Work guides.