File Generation in Chat and Workflows
Clear Ideas can generate governed files directly from AI Chat and AI Workflow Jobs. This is useful when the result of AI work should be a workbook, report, or presentation instead of only a text answer.
Supported File Types
Clear Ideas currently supports file helpers for:
- spreadsheets:
.xlsx - documents:
.docx - presentations:
.pptx
More file types may be added over time.
Where You Can Use It
File generation is available in:
- AI Chat, when you choose a supported file helper beside the model selector
- AI Workflow Jobs, when a workflow step uses a supported file skill
The file helper only appears when the selected model supports skills.
Model Support and Quality
File helpers rely on the model's ability to follow specialized instructions, call tools, and write Python code for the requested file type. Most skill-capable models can generate basic files, but quality varies by model and task complexity.
For complex workbooks, heavily formatted reports, or presentation decks with a strong narrative structure, choose a stronger reasoning or coding-capable model. Lightweight models may work well for simple files, but they are more likely to need repair attempts or produce simpler formatting.
If a model is not reliable for file generation, Clear Ideas may hide file helpers for that model.
Create a New File
Use a file helper when you want the assistant to create a new workbook, document, or presentation from your instructions. For example, you can ask for a financial workbook, a client-ready report, or a presentation deck based on approved Site content.
The assistant writes generation code, Clear Ideas runs it in a sandboxed execution environment, and the generated file is returned as a governed output.
Transform an Existing File
You can also attach or reference source files and ask Clear Ideas to transform them into a new output. For example, you might ask the assistant to add a column to a customer workbook, turn notes into a report, or convert a summary into a slide deck.
Original source files are not overwritten. Clear Ideas always creates a new governed file output.
How Source Files Are Inspected
When a source file is needed, Clear Ideas sends the original file bytes to specialist inspection tooling and sandboxed execution. The language model receives structured information about the file, such as workbook sheets, document structure, slide metadata, tables, headings, or other useful details.
The model does not receive the raw source bytes directly.
Execution and Repair
File generation runs in sandboxed Python execution. The sandbox has the packages needed to inspect and create supported file types, and outbound network access is disabled.
If the generated script fails, Clear Ideas returns structured error details to the model so it can repair the script within the normal tool-use limits.
Downloads and Saving
Generated files appear as file cards below the assistant response or workflow job output. You can download the file from the card. In chat experiences where Site context is available, you can also save the generated file back into a Site or folder.
AI Credits
File generation uses AI Credits for the model interaction and for sandboxed file execution. The execution charge is tracked separately from model token usage so account usage reporting can distinguish language model work from remote execution.
See AI Credits and AI Usage.
Governance and Evidence
Generated files are governed outputs. Chats and workflow jobs keep references to the files they produced, and governed evidence exports include the binary files, metadata, and hashes when those records are exported.
See Governed AI Records.
Troubleshooting
If the file helper is not visible, confirm that the selected model supports skills. Switching to a stronger model is also a good first step when a generated file is too simple or a transform fails.
For transform requests, make sure the source file is attached or selected in the current request and that the file type matches the helper you are using. Clear Ideas creates a new output file and does not overwrite the original source file.
If saving a generated file back to a Site fails, confirm that the chat has Site or folder context and that you have permission to upload files there.