The Key Features of ChatGPT — OpenAI, with Examples

The key features of ChatGPT

ChatGPT’s main features include explaining concepts, writing and editing text, summarizing information, translating, and developing ideas. With the available tools, you can also explore websites, analyze files, create images, and have conversations using your voice; the features you see depend on your account and work environment.

What are the key features of ChatGPT?

ChatGPT helps you understand information, create content, and process material. You describe what you need and can then refine the result with follow-up questions. Sometimes a short answer is enough. For other tasks, you work toward creating a document, image, or overview.

It helps to distinguish between two types of capabilities. Writing, explaining, and summarizing are part of everyday conversation. For tasks such as web research, image generation, and file editing, additional tools are required.

Not every feature is available in every environment. Listed below are the most important applications with examples. The sample commands are intended as a starting point, not as a guarantee of error-free results.

1. Explaining complex topics in an understandable way

ChatGPT can explain a topic at different levels of complexity. This is helpful when a manual is too technical or when you understand the words but don’t yet see the bigger picture.

You can ask for an example, a comparison, or an explanation from a different perspective. The opportunity to ask follow-up questions is often more important than the initial answer.

Example: Understanding a computer term

“Explain the difference between RAM and storage space. Use a relatable example and explain why a computer with plenty of storage can still be slow.”

A clear explanation outlines which components perform different tasks. This allows you to more accurately determine which product specifications are relevant.

Please note: A comparison simplifies reality. Use it to understand the concept, not as a complete technical description of a computer.

2. Writing brand new texts

You can use ChatGPT to generate a first draft of an email, description, report, or set of instructions. You provide the content and have it developed into a coherent text.

This is especially helpful when you know what you want to say but aren’t sure how to structure it yet. A draft gives you something concrete to evaluate.

Example: A customer asks for information

“Write a friendly response to a customer who reports that the installation failed. Ask for the product name, the operating system, and the exact error message. Do not speculate on the cause yet if that information is missing.”

The desired result is a clear request for information. Make sure the text doesn’t promise a solution that you can’t yet substantiate.

Even short texts can be prepared this way: a brief explanation accompanying a download, an invitation, or an introduction to a presentation. You don’t need to turn it into a full-length article.

3. Rewrite existing text

When rewriting, the existing content serves as the starting point. You can have a paragraph rephrased for greater clarity, make a distant-sounding text more friendly, or have repetitions removed.

That’s different from starting over. When a text is sound in terms of content, a targeted edit may be sufficient.

Example: Improving an unclear instruction

“Rewrite these instructions for someone without technical knowledge. Keep the order, product names, and terms the same. Above all, make it clear what the user needs to do first.”

Then compare the steps with the genuine. A shorter version should not omit any necessary steps.

Also pay attention to words like “can,” “must,” and “only.” A small change in these can turn a possibility into an obligation. A text that reads more smoothly isn’t automatically better in terms of content.

4. Summarizing Long Texts

ChatGPT can extract the key points from provided information. Think of a lengthy document, a long email exchange, or a collection of notes.

A summary becomes more useful when it’s clear what you need it for. A brief introduction to a topic requires different information than an overview of agreements.

Example: Processing meeting notes

“Summarize these notes. Distinguish between decisions, proposals, and open questions. List action items separately and only mention an owner or deadline if one is actually specified.”

This doesn’t prevent all errors, but it makes it easier to verify the results. You can check each component to see if the notes support it.

For important documents, the genuine text remains essential. Exceptions and disclaimers, in particular, are easily lost when information is heavily condensed.

5. Translate and adjust language variants

ChatGPT can help translate text into another language while taking the intended audience into account. For example, a business email requires a different tone than a short button label.

You can also request alternatives with a specific length or tone. This is useful when a literal translation sounds unnatural.

Example: text for an international online store

“Translate this product description into natural French for customers in France. Retain all terms and product names. Highlight any unclear passages separately.”

Check technical terms carefully. A common word can have a specific meaning within software.

For important commercial or legal texts, a language expert may still be necessary. ChatGPT can provide a draft version, but a fluent-sounding translation is not the same as a proofread translation.

6. Coming up with ideas and perspectives

ChatGPT can suggest different approaches to a topic. This can help with a presentation, campaign, school assignment, or knowledge base page.

The value doesn’t necessarily lie in immediately coming up with a single brilliant idea. A series of proposals often reveals which directions are too broad and where there’s still room for something useful.

Example: topics for customer explanations

“Come up with topics for short explanatory videos about software installation. Focus on questions from beginners. Avoid topics that are solely about prices.”

Evaluate the suggestions based on the actual questions you receive. An interesting title alone isn’t proof that people are searching for it.

Statements regarding search volume, popularity, or conversion rates require separate data. Coming up with ideas and conducting market research are two different tasks.

7. Learn, practice, and test yourself

You can use ChatGPT to actively engage with course material. For example, by having it explain a concept, create practice questions, or discuss your own reasoning.

It helps to try something out for yourself first. That way, you’ll see where you’re getting stuck, and we won’t have to start the explanation all the way from the beginning.

Example: Understanding a calculation

“I’m practicing percentage increases. Give me one simple problem and let me answer it first. Then go over my calculation and point out any mistakes.”

Here’s how to use the feature as a study aid. Reading a fully worked-out answer can sometimes make things seem clearer than they actually are.

A good test follows: can you solve a similar exercise on your own? That says more about your understanding than the number of explanatory texts you’ve read.

8. Compare options and prepare your choices

ChatGPT can compare information side by side and highlight differences. This works best when you specify what you want to compare.

“Which one is better?” is often too broad a question. For someone who mainly writes, different features are important than for someone who handles heavy video projects.

Example: Comparing two software packages

“Compare these two product descriptions in terms of included programs, supported operating systems, and stated usage rights. Note any missing information. Do not draw conclusions about terms and conditions that are not listed.”

This can result in a clear comparison. You then decide which differences are most important to you.

Have current prices or product specifications verified if they’re not listed in your source material. A comparison based on outdated information won’t help you make the right choice.

9. Search for and research current information

With web search, ChatGPT can consult online sources and process the information it finds. This is particularly relevant for topics that change over time, such as product information, available services, and recent developments.

A simple explanation based on textbook knowledge is different from an answer that actually draws on researched sources. Therefore, check whether the result includes references and exactly what those sources support.

Example: Find recent genuine information

“Check the developer’s website for the current platform requirements for this program. List the requirements clearly and specify the page you consulted.”

For broader questions, in-depth research—where available—can bring together various sources. Consider a topic where you need to compare developments, conditions, and exceptions.

A source reference is just the beginning of verification, not the end. Open the genuine page when specific details are important. Also check whether the information applies to the correct version or region.

10. Processing documents and other files

ChatGPT can work with uploaded files when the relevant feature is available. You can have material summarized, compared, or used as the basis for a brand new document.

This is especially helpful for information that already exists but isn’t yet in a usable format.

Example: Comparing two versions

“Compare these two documents. List only substantive changes. For each change, indicate what was in the first version and what was modified in the second version.”

Check to make sure you’re actually comparing the same elements. A changed order may appear to be brand new information, even though the content has remained the same.

In supported work environments, you can also have a document, spreadsheet, presentation, or PDF created. The difference from a chat response is that you receive a file that you can view or edit further. Availability and preview options vary by environment.

11. Analyze data and present it clearly

With the right data, ChatGPT can help with organizing, performing calculations, and analyzing patterns. This makes it easier to discuss a table with many rows.

The meaning of the columns must be clear. For example, a list of product lines does not automatically indicate how many unique orders there are.

Example: Reviewing a sales overview

“Review this sales report. Provide the monthly revenue and identify which products contribute the most. First, check for returns, duplicate entries, and missing amounts.”

A useful result shows not only the numbers but also the choices made during the calculation.

Check a few results. Pay attention to currency, dates, and the basis for percentages. A graph may look professional even if the underlying data selection is incorrect.

When working with a large dataset, it’s wise to start by analyzing a small, clear question. That way, you can determine whether the data has been interpreted correctly.

12. Discussing Images and Screenshots

With image input, you can add visual information to a conversation. Think of an error message, a diagram, a photo, or a product type you want to share.

Let us know what you’d like to know. Without further explanation, it may remain unclear whether the focus should be on text, product type, or a technical detail.

Example: Understanding an error message

“Look at this screenshot. Explain what the visible message means. Distinguish between what you can definitely read and what order notes is needed to investigate the cause.”

That last distinction is important. A screen only shows part of the situation. The visible error message doesn’t always explain why the problem occurred.

For a product type, you can ask for feedback on readability or layout. Small or blurry text can be misinterpreted; check such details separately.

13. Create brand new images and edit existing ones

Image generation creates or edits images based on a description. For example, you can have an illustration, background, or initial visual concept developed.

When working with an existing image, you can specify what needs to be changed and what should remain the same. This is a different feature from simply having an image analyzed.

Example: a background for a banner

“Create a wide, calm illustration of a modern workplace. Place the computer on the right and leave empty space on the left for a title. Use dark blue and light gray. Do not add any text.”

This description covers not only the subject matter but also its use. The blank space is needed for the final product type.

When reviewing a generated image, check details such as lettering, product shapes, and proportions. For precise product information or a technical diagram, a verifiable drawing is often more suitable than a freely generated image.

14. Talking to ChatGPT via voice

With the voice feature, you can have a conversation out loud. This can be helpful when you want to explore an idea or would rather speak than type.

A voice conversation and voice dictation are not the same thing. With voice dictation, your speech is primarily converted into text. In a voice conversation, you talk to the assistant and can ask follow-up questions.

Example: practicing a presentation

“I’m practicing a short presentation on computer safety. Let me give my explanation first. Then ask one question that a beginner might ask.”

This exercise can help you identify unclear steps. Perhaps you’re using technical terms without explaining them, or you’re omitting information that seems obvious to you.

The available language options vary by environment and account. A detailed comparison of devices and requirements is included in the individual user guide.

15. Developing code, formulas, and technical solutions

ChatGPT can help explain code and formulas, make suggestions, and troubleshoot errors. For software development, there are also more comprehensive development environments, such as Codex.

An explanation of an existing code is different from a complete solution that has been tested on your platform. Make sure to highlight that distinction.

Example: Understanding a Formula

“Explain what this Excel formula does. Discuss each part separately and provide a short calculation example. Do not change the formula yet.”

This way, you can first understand the basis of a calculation before making any changes.

Brand New code requires review and testing. A snippet may seem logical, but it could still be based on an incorrect version, a missing dependency, or a different file format. Therefore, please specify the relevant environment and treat any proposal as something that needs to be reviewed.

16. Organizing Coherent Work into Projects

Projects help you organize related conversations, files, and instructions. This is useful when you spread your work across multiple sessions.

A one-on-one consultation is ideal for a one-time question. A project is more practical when multiple deliverables need to be based on the same sources.

Example: a series of knowledge base articles

You can use a project for a series of articles with a specific target audience, style, and topic distribution. The individual discussions then remain focused on their own page, while shared information can be made available.

That doesn’t mean ChatGPT can automatically read every file on your computer. The relevant sources must be available within the environment being used.

Projects are key to maintaining consistency. Clear source files and a well-organized breakdown of topics remain essential to prevent duplication and contradictions.

Which feature will you choose your task?

Start with the result you need. An unclear paragraph calls for rewriting, not extensive research. For up-to-date product information, you need a recent source.

Many tasks combine multiple functions. You can first have a document compared, then have the differences explained, and finally have a brief summary generated. This combination is often more practical than a single large assignment without clear intermediate steps.

Example: From source material to customer explanation

1. Submission: Please provide the correct product information or an genuine source.
2. Understanding: Get unclear terms explained.
3. Draft: Write an initial text tailored to the intended reader.
4. Verify: Compare product names, terms, and steps with the source.

This makes it clear which feature adds value at any given moment. You don’t have to perform every task using all available tools.

Key Terms for the Most Important ChatGPT Features

Frequently Asked Questions About ChatGPT’s Features

Can ChatGPT summarize a PDF?

Yes, provided you can supply the file and the content can be processed properly. Please specify what kind of summary you need and check the important passages in the genuine.

Can ChatGPT create an Excel file?

In supported environments, ChatGPT can help you create and edit spreadsheets. Check formulas, data, and formatting before using the file to make decisions.

Can ChatGPT extract information from an image?

With image input, ChatGPT can discuss visible information. Blurry text, small details, and missing background information may limit its interpretation.

Can ChatGPT provide up-to-date information?

Using the available web search functions, you can consult recent sources. Verify that a search was actually performed and that the sources pertain to the correct version, date, and situation.

Are all features available to every user?

No. Availability may vary by account, subscription, platform, region, and organizational settings. Therefore, a feature described here may not be visible in your interface.

What’s the difference between viewing and creating an image?

With image input, you submit an image for review. With image generation, you request a brand new image or visual editing. These are different tools.

Which feature is most useful for beginners?

Choose a small task whose results you can evaluate. For example, have a concept explained, clarify your own text, or organize your notes.

Genuine Sources

• OpenAI: Using ChatGPT
• OpenAI: Working with Files
• OpenAI: Web Search
• OpenAI: Create and Edit Images
• OpenAI: Projects and Discussions

Key Insights

• Choose the function that fits your goal: explaining, writing, researching, and processing files are all different tasks.
• Concrete examples make the possibilities clear. Start with a task you actually want to complete.
• Additional resources expand the conversation to include web information, files, images, and speech, among other things.
• Review the final result: especially the terms and conditions, calculations, sources, and technical proposals.
• You don’t have to use everything at once. Even a small, well-chosen application can be useful.