How to Use ChatGPT Canvas Feature

Learn to use ChatGPT Canvas for collaborative document editing, code writing, and iterative content creation with AI assistance.

1. Access Canvas from ChatGPT. Open ChatGPT and start a new conversation or continue an existing one. When requesting document creation, code writing, or substantial text editing, Canvas will automatically appear as a separate panel next to the chat. You can also manually trigger Canvas by asking ChatGPT to 'create this in Canvas' or 'open Canvas for editing'.
2. Navigate the Canvas interface. The Canvas workspace appears as a split-screen with the chat on the left and your document on the right. Use the toolbar at the top of Canvas to access editing controls including font formatting, commenting, and sharing options. The document title appears at the top and can be edited by clicking on it.
3. Edit content directly in Canvas. Click anywhere in the Canvas document to place your cursor and begin typing. Select text to format it using the toolbar or right-click for context menu options. Changes you make are immediately visible and you can continue chatting with ChatGPT about your edits while working in the document.
4. Request AI assistance for specific sections. Highlight text in Canvas and ask ChatGPT to modify that specific section. ChatGPT will show you proposed changes before applying them. You can also place your cursor at any location and ask ChatGPT to add content at that position. The AI understands the full context of your document when making suggestions.
5. Use Canvas for code projects. When working with code, Canvas automatically applies syntax highlighting for the detected programming language. You can edit code directly or ask ChatGPT to modify functions, add comments, or debug specific lines. ChatGPT can run through your entire codebase in Canvas and suggest improvements or spot errors.
6. Review and accept AI suggestions. When ChatGPT proposes changes, they appear highlighted in the Canvas before being applied. Review the suggested edits and click 'Accept' to apply them or 'Reject' to keep your original content. You can also ask ChatGPT to modify its suggestions before accepting them.
7. Export and share your Canvas work. Click the share button in the Canvas toolbar to copy a link to your document or export it in various formats including PDF, Word, or plain text. Shared Canvas documents maintain their formatting and can be viewed by others even without ChatGPT access. Downloaded files preserve your formatting and can be opened in standard applications.