Attaching files and images to a message Guide

You can attach documents, spreadsheets, PDFs, and images directly to a message so the assistant can read, analyze, summarize, or pull data out of them. This is the fastest way to turn a file you already have into work the assistant can do for you.

How to attach a file

Add files to any message before you send it:

1. In the chat composer, click the paperclip icon to open your file picker, or simply drag and drop files onto the message area.
2. Select one or more files. You'll see each one appear as a thumbnail or chip above the composer while it uploads.
3. Type your instruction alongside the files — for example, "Summarize this contract" or "Pull the totals from this spreadsheet into a table."
4. Press Send. The assistant reads the attached files as part of that message and responds.

Tip: Attach the file and ask your question in the same message. The more specific your instruction ("extract every invoice line item" rather than "look at this"), the sharper the result.

What you can do with attachments

Once a file is attached, you can ask the assistant to work with it in plain language:

• Spreadsheets and CSVs — analyze the data, calculate totals, spot trends, or reshape it into a clean summary table.
• PDFs — summarize long documents, extract text and tables, or answer questions about specific sections.
• Images — describe what's in a picture, read text from a screenshot, or answer questions about a chart or photo.
• Documents and text files — proofread, rewrite, translate, or pull out key points and action items.

Supported file types

You can attach the following formats:

• Images: PNG, JPG, GIF, WEBP
• Documents: PDF, DOCX, TXT, MD
• Data: XLSX, CSV, JSON, XML
• Other text: HTML, LOG

File size and count limits

You can attach up to 15 files per message, and each file can be up to 20 MB. If you need to share more than that, split the work across several messages in the same conversation — the assistant keeps the context.

The "Files in this chat" panel

Every file you share in a conversation is collected in a per-chat Files panel, so you always have a running list of what's been uploaded.

• Open the panel to review or preview any file shared in that conversation.
• Reference a previously uploaded file in a later message without re-attaching it.

Your uploaded files are stored securely and encrypted, and they stay private to your account.

If an upload fails

A few common reasons an attachment might not go through, and what to do:

• Unsupported file type — check the list above. If your file isn't a supported format, convert it first (for example, export a document to PDF).
• File too large — files over 20 MB are rejected. Compress the file or split it into smaller parts.
• Too many files — keep each message to 15 files or fewer; send the rest in a follow-up message.
• Storage full — if your account has reached its storage limit, remove files you no longer need, then try again. You can also review your storage in Settings.
• Drag and drop not working — use the paperclip icon to open the file picker instead, and make sure you're dropping files directly onto the message area.

Attach vs. dictate

The paperclip is for uploading files. If you instead want to speak your message rather than type it, use the microphone in the composer to dictate — that fills the text box with your words, which is separate from attaching a file.