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How to summarize a PDF in ChatGPT

People & Blogs

How to Summarize a PDF in ChatGPT

In this guide, we'll delve into how to utilize ChatGPT's various plugins, particularly focusing on summarizing PDF documents. We will explore three different plugins: Link Reader, Ask Your PDF, and a yet-to-be-named third option. These tools are particularly useful for condensing lengthy articles and documents into easy-to-understand summaries. Let's get started!

Using the Link Reader Plugin

The first plugin we'll look at is Link Reader. This versatile tool can read the content of various types of links, including websites, PDFs, PowerPoints, images, Word documents, and more. Here's how you can use it to summarize an article:

  1. Activate Link Reader: Ensure the Link Reader plugin is turned on.

  2. Select Your Content: Navigate to the website containing the article you wish to summarize. For this example, we'll use an article discussing prompt engineering jobs.

  3. Copy the Link: Copy the URL of the article.

  4. Command the Plugin: Instruct the plugin to summarize the article using the copied link. For instance, you can type, "Summarize this article like I'm 5 years old," and paste the URL.

    Note: If the article is behind a paywall, this method will not work. Ensure the content is freely accessible.

The Link Reader will generate a summary, highlighting key points, including salary details and the companies involved.

Summarizing a PDF with Link Reader

Link Reader can also summarize PDF documents. To do this:

  1. Select Your PDF: Choose a PDF document you want to summarize. For this example, we have a five-page paper on "Artificial Intelligence in Medicine."
  2. Copy the PDF Link: Ensure the PDF is accessible online and copy the link.
  3. Command the Plugin: Type, "Summarize this PDF," and paste the link.

The plugin will then summarize the PDF content. If the abstract or text uses complex language, you can instruct the plugin to simplify it, such as asking for a summary "like you’re 5 years old."

Using the Ask Your PDF Plugin

If Link Reader fails to summarize your PDF, another useful plugin is Ask Your PDF. This plugin offers additional options:

  1. Activate Ask Your PDF: Turn on the Ask Your PDF plugin.
  2. Attempt with Link: Try summarizing the PDF using its link by typing, "Summarize this PDF," and pasting the link.

If this doesn't work, you have the alternative option to manually upload the document.

Manually Uploading Documents

  1. Command the Plugin: Type, "I want to manually upload the document."
  2. Upload PDF: If you receive an "Upload Your Document" button, click it. Drag and drop your PDF file into the upload window.
  3. Retrieve Doc ID: Once uploaded, you'll be given a “Doc ID.”
  4. Summarize Using Doc ID: Type, "Summarize this PDF," and include the provided Doc ID.

The Ask Your PDF plugin will then generate the summary for the PDF successfully.

Keywords

FAQ

Q: What types of documents can Link Reader summarize? A: Link Reader can read and summarize websites, PDFs, PowerPoints, images, Word documents, and more.

Q: What happens if the article or PDF is behind a paywall? A: Link Reader will not be able to summarize content that is behind a paywall. Ensure the document is freely accessible.

Q: What should I do if Link Reader fails to summarize my PDF? A: You can use the Ask Your PDF plugin as an alternative. This plugin allows for manual document uploads if the link-based method fails.

Q: How do I upload a PDF manually using Ask Your PDF? A: If the initial link-based attempt doesn't work, type, "I want to manually upload the document." You will then receive an "Upload Your Document" button. Upload your file and use the given Doc ID to summarize the PDF.

Q: Can I ask the plugins to simplify the summary? A: Yes, you can instruct the plugins to summarize the content in simpler terms, such as asking them to summarize the article or document "like I'm 5 years old." This will help in understanding complex topics more easily.