How to maximize the potential of ChatGPT with Canvas mode

Canvas mode introduced in ChatGPTChatGPT in October 2024 is a small revolution. The star of generative AI has renovated its approach and added several features that greatly extend its possibilities. Let’s discuss these major new features here.

Enable Canvas mode

To benefit from Canvas mode, you must be a ChatGPT Plus subscriber. However, the situation might have changed by the time you read this article, so if you’re using the free version, you can still check what’s going on.

In the upper left area, open the drop-down menu and select “ChatGPT 4o – with Canvas”.

New interface

It is from the moment you propose a task to ChatGPT in Canvas mode that you should notice that the interface has changed somewhat. Give it a try. You should then see the answer on the right side, as usual. However, the left column can now display explanations of what has been accomplished – as theIAIA generative Claude from Anthropic.

Small restriction: ChatGPT does not automatically switch to this new interface, it is free to decide when it should activate it or not. For this mode to be activated in the example we chose, we had to give it this request: “ Could you enable the Canvas interface for this conversation? ».

Possibility of intervening on part of the text

Now everything on the right side can be edited by yourself as you see fit. You can therefore add, modify or delete text. Better yet, if you highlight any part of the text, a small context menu appears. You can then change the appearance of the highlighted text, but also ask a query relating to it. It will only focus on this specific part.

Adding emojis

At the bottom left of the query box we have a pencil icon that points down. If you click on it, you access a menu of options. The first of these can add emojis to your text. In some situations this may be welcome and we have implemented it here.

Once you have requested such an update, you can go back by clicking the left arrow at the top of the screen. ChatGPT then restores the previous version – you must validate this choice.

Reading level

The third option in the options menu will quickly seem very practical to you. It makes it possible to adapt the reading level according to a level which goes from nursery to higher education. Once this option is selected, move the cursor to choose the desired level then click on the arrow. ChatGPT then rewrites the text according to the target audience.

Change text length

Another interesting point: ChatGPT with Canvas can modify the length of the text, in whole or in part. This is the 4^e choice of the options menu and again, you can move the cursor to ask ChatGPT to shorten or lengthen the text according to your wishes.

Refine the text

The second option is the one we recommend using to complete a job with Canvas, it is called “Tweak”. It affects the content as well as the presentation of the text and usually brings a notable improvement.

Developer Tools

Canvas mode will also be very useful to you if you are a developer ofapplicationsapplications. However, in this article, we wanted to focus on the most common use cases. And as you can see, Canvas mode is a major advancement in ChatGPT’s capabilities.