Files, images and search

When you finish, you can ask about a file or photo and know when to use search for current facts.

Sharing files and images

Depending on your plan and version, you can attach documents, spreadsheets, PDFs and pictures to a chat. Then ask focused questions: "List the deadlines in this document," or "What does this chart show?" Check the app for the file types and sizes it accepts now.

Be specific. "Look at this" gets a loose reply. "Read this electricity bill and tell me the billing period, the total due, and any charge I should ask about" gets a useful one. For anything that matters, open the original and confirm the numbers.

Worked example: a photo of a medicine label

A caregiver in Poland photographs a label written in a language they read poorly. They ask, "Translate the text on this label into English and mark any words you are unsure about." That is a fine use: translation and reading help.

They do not ask, "How much should I give?" Doses and health choices belong to a pharmacist or doctor. The tool can help you understand words on a page. A licensed professional decides what to do.

When to use search

ChatGPT's knowledge can be out of date. Many versions can search the web for current information and show links. Use search for news, prices, schedules, laws that change, and anything with a date on it. Without search, the answer may come from older training.

Even with search, check. Open the sources it shows and see if they say what it claims. Prefer sources you can judge, such as official sites. If the answer has no sources and the topic matters, ask: "Show me where this comes from."

Understanding charts and messy pages

ChatGPT can read screenshots of tables, forms and slides. Ask it to rewrite what it sees as a clean list or table. Then compare to the picture. Small digits and handwriting are easy to misread.

If it misreads something, say so: "The third row says 48, not 18." It will usually correct itself. Keep a quick check habit: scan the first and last items, and any number that looks odd.

Practice now

Photograph a non-sensitive printed page, such as a menu or a leaflet. Ask ChatGPT to turn it into a clean list and check three items against the photo.
Ask a question about something that changes over time, with search turned on if available. Open two sources and see if they agree.

Use any AI assistant you have. Do not paste private, client or patient information into it.

Check yourself

1. When is search most useful?

2. What is a safe use of a label photo?

3. The tool misreads a number in your screenshot. You should

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