ChatGPT became much more collaborative when OpenAI released Canvas mode for the AI chatbot earlier in October. Switching to Canvas mode provides a more flexible way to create and edit text. AI’s ability to write code makes more complex long-term planning possible with visualization, spot editing, and even automation.
Despite OpenAI boasting about how practical this approach to ChatGPT can be, you might be staring at that prompt and wondering how you can use ChatGPT’s Canvas mode to improve your daily life.
Here are some ways I’ve found ChatGPT’s Canvas mode useful as a kind of combination personal assistant and creative partner.
Weekly planning
You can ask ChatGPT to create a list of tasks or appointments based on the information you provide, but it’s still just a slightly more coherent version of what you already have available. With Canvas mode you don’t have to redo the list when something changes; you can rearrange and edit the plan within the same list.
All you have to do is ask ChatGPT to create a section for each day or task category. Then maybe details underneath. In Canvas mode, you can drag these items around, prioritize them visually, and quickly edit descriptions as plans change.
For example, if you need to move an appointment from Monday to Wednesday, simply highlight that activity and click the ‘Request ChatGPT’ button. Then you ask the AI to move it to the correct time and day. You can also play with how it looks visually or ask for code blocks to automate reminders from your calendar.
If you have a long to-do list or a full agenda, Canvas mode can generate summaries of each day’s tasks if you want a quick overview of what’s coming up. Suppose you have multiple personal and business deadlines in a week. Once you’ve outlined your tasks, you can highlight the most important action items with bold text and, if necessary, summarize long to-do lists to show only the most urgent tasks. If some of these tasks become recurring, you can even use a small block of code to automate reminders or set up scripts to send yourself notifications.
Event planning
Planning events involves juggling many tasks, from managing guest lists to coordinating schedules and activities. Using Canvas mode makes the event visible in one room. Inputs from many sources can all be uploaded and summarized by regular ChatGPT, but in Canvas mode the AI can refine, edit and combine details within one overview for an event.
For example, if you want to plan a birthday party, you can ask ChatGPT to organize the guest list and move people through different categories depending on whether you tell them they have received an RSVP.
One of the most powerful features here is the AI’s ability to write code to automate tasks. For example, you might want to invite and follow guests automatically. ChatGPT can write a small script to automatically email invitations, track RSVPs, and update the list in real time. It will even edit the code to send reminder emails to those who haven’t responded yet.
Track personal growth
With so much on your plate, tracking your personal development may also need AI help. ChatGPT’s Canvas mode can help you track your fitness goals, your efforts to learn a new skill, or even keep your hobbies organized.
In terms of fitness, you can describe your workouts, meal plans and goals, and the AI will draw up matching graphs, applying bold fonts for milestones and other important data. If you need to update your routine or diet, Canvas Mode’s editing feature allows you to quickly revise your plans. If you use an app to track your progress and get the raw data, the AI can summarize it, incorporate it into the overall plan, and highlight where you are in your milestones.
Let’s say you’re trying to learn a new language or another skill. In that case, you can similarly create a long-term plan, create visual representations of the lessons you’ve completed, and create automated reminders for upcoming study sessions. If you’re looking for additional study tools, ChatGPT’s Canvas mode can both write quizzes or practice sets and embed them into your schedule, although it may not take long to get to that section.
Home Project Planning
I wanted to plan a renovation of a room in my house. That’s a lot of planning and designing for everyone. While I may ask ChatGPT for help brainstorming ideas, moving to Canvas means I can visually arrange project elements and calculate measurements with embedded code.
I asked ChatGPT to set up a template and sections were created in Canvas for each stage of the project, such as ‘Furniture’, ‘Paint Colours’ and ‘Budget’. The AI took my vague visions and created detailed descriptions of different furniture options and color schemes, highlighting any future sizes and prices. Whenever I asked the AI to update the price or change other details, the plan was revised without being rewritten.
It even worked with images. For example, I uploaded images of the options to compare two different sets of chairs and told the AI the prices, sizes, and other details for each set. The AI then adjusted the information for the options and provided a running total of prizes.
If it became overwhelming, I might ask for everything to be summarized in a quick reference section with only the most critical tasks and expenses.
