The Game-Changing Canvas Feature in ChatGPT
OpenAI is constantly adding new features to ChatGPT to make it more functional for everyday needs. The recently added Canvas feature — unveiled in October — has transformed my ChatGPT workflow, and as of this week, it’s available to all ChatGPT users for free, with some updates.
How to Use ChatGPT with Canvas
To get started, just let ChatGPT know you would like to use Canvas to answer your query. The AI will then tell you to input what you are working on, and once you enter your project, you will see the magic happen.
For my example walk-through, I’ll use an essay I published as an undergrad since I don’t use AI tools to edit or write my ZDNET articles in any capacity. I copied and pasted the essay text into the textbox with the prompt: “Can you help me edit this piece?”
As you can see below, instead of just outputting a revised version below the initial prompt, ChatGPT with Canvas automatically opened a new interface. My edited project was placed on the right side of the screen, while my initial prompt was on the left, with a textbox available to ask additional questions.
The Interface
With this interface, no matter how many questions you ask or how many edits are made, your project will always remain in the same spot on the right, giving you easy visibility as to what the text looks like after each edit and how it fares next to the original.
What Makes the Canvas Interface a Game-Changer?
Typically, when you ask ChatGPT to revise the text, the AI outputs the new version as the next message, making it difficult to compare the original and edited piece side-by-side and keep track of the changes. For example, with the regular interface, if you ask something like, “Can you revise this cover letter?” and then follow up by asking to revise one specific paragraph, ChatGPT may just output the new paragraph, forcing you to go back and forth to piece both generations together. This approach is inconvenient, especially if you switch between both versions and there is lots of dialogue in between.
The Shortcuts
Another game-changing element of the Canvas feature is the new shortcuts. On the page where your project lives, a button in the lower-right corner — represented by a pencil — includes four one-click shortcuts that can transform your project.
These writing shortcuts help users adjust lengths, change reading levels, add emojis, and “add final polish,” which checks for grammar, clarity, and consistency. The coding shortcuts can review code, add logs, add comments, fix bugs, and port to a language. The buttons are a quick and efficient way to implement your changes without text prompts.
Highlighting and Code
Here’s another convenient tool (and my personal favorite): you can highlight portions of your project for specific changes. All you need to do is highlight lines of your text or code, and another set of shortcuts will appear.
This time, Canvas allows you to change the formatting with options such as bold or italicize, and directly asks ChatGPT for help with that specific section.
The Quality of the Edits
What about the quality of the edits? Because Canvas uses GPT-4o — OpenAI’s most advanced, well-rounded model — the edits are valuable and improve the overall quality of the text. If you ask for a general edit, Canvas will check grammar and spelling (as Grammarly does), and syntax.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the new Canvas feature in ChatGPT is a game-changer for anyone who uses the tool for everyday projects. With its new interface and shortcuts, you can easily collaborate on your writing and coding projects, keep track of changes, and implement edits with ease. Whether you’re writing a cover letter, polishing a personal email, or simply need help with code, Canvas is a feature worth exploring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I access the Canvas feature in ChatGPT?
A: Simply ask ChatGPT to help you with your project and select the Canvas interface.
Q: What kind of projects can I use the Canvas feature for?
A: You can use Canvas for any type of project, including writing, coding, and more.
Q: Are the edits done by the Canvas feature final?
A: No, the edits are not final. You can always ask ChatGPT to make further changes or make edits yourself.
Q: Does the Canvas feature come with a cost?
A: No, the Canvas feature is available to all ChatGPT users for free, with some updates.
Q: Can I use the Canvas feature with ChatGPT Pro?
A: Yes, you can use the Canvas feature with ChatGPT Pro for even more advanced editing and collaboration capabilities.
