> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.maiagent.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.maiagent.ai/maiagent-user-guide/en/work/maigpt/canvas.md).

# Canvas

MaiGPT Canvas: the area where AI presents documents and charts. Learn how to ask AI to output in Canvas, preview and download results, and get tips for writing documents and creating charts.

Canvas is the area MaiGPT uses to display documents and charts. When AI generates content in Canvas, you can view the result alongside the conversation and use preview, source code, and download features depending on the content type. Markdown documents currently support previewing. To edit text manually, download the file first, then open it in a text editor.

{% hint style="info" %}
Web Chat embedded on a website has the same Canvas, plus a **map canvas** that displays places and itineraries. For the visitor-side toolbar and controls, see [Web Chat: Canvas and Browser](/maiagent-user-guide/en/build/choose-channel/web-chat.md#side-panels).
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="https://1360999650-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6v6TNkkOQVfRYfcNirHL%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-f0ff5e804996511d1c21c83ed05e0ee9ecd2030d%2Fcanvas-markdown-preview.png?alt=media" alt="Markdown document preview in Canvas"><figcaption><p>Markdown Canvas displays the document content, with source code, full-screen, and download controls in the upper-right corner</p></figcaption></figure>

***

## When to use Canvas <a href="#when-to-use-canvas" id="when-to-use-canvas"></a>

| Scenario               | Example prompt                                  |
| ---------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
| Write a report         | "Write a Q1 performance summary for me"         |
| Write an email         | "Help me reply to this customer's inquiry"      |
| Organize meeting notes | "Format the following content as meeting notes" |
| Draw a flowchart       | "Draw a leave request flowchart"                |
| Create a table         | "Create a table comparing Plan A and Plan B"    |

***

## How to use it <a href="#how-to-use" id="how-to-use"></a>

### Open Canvas <a href="#open-canvas" id="open-canvas"></a>

AI automatically opens Canvas when generating longer documents. You can also ask it directly:

> "Use Canvas to write a..."

### Edit content <a href="#edit-content" id="edit-content"></a>

After Canvas opens, you can:

1. **View the document** — Read the content in Markdown Canvas. Switch to source code mode to view the Markdown text; this mode is not a text-editing field.
2. **Download and edit** — Download the Markdown file, then edit it in a text editor. Changes to the local file are not automatically written back to Canvas.
3. **Request changes** — Clearly specify the paragraph you want to adjust in the conversation, such as "Make the second paragraph more concise."

### Export <a href="#export" id="export"></a>

The upper-right corner of Markdown Canvas provides a <mark style="color:blue;">Download</mark> menu:

* **Original format (.md)** — Save the Markdown file so you can edit it in a text editor
* **PDF document** — Download a PDF for reading and sharing

To copy the Markdown text, switch to code mode, then use the copy button in the content area.

***

## What Canvas can create <a href="#what-canvas-can-create" id="what-canvas-can-create"></a>

| Type          | Suitable for                                       | Example                                        |
| ------------- | -------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- |
| **Documents** | Reports, emails, proposals, announcements          | "Write a new product launch announcement"      |
| **Tables**    | Comparative analysis, data organization            | "Compare quotes from three vendors"            |
| **Charts**    | Flowcharts, organization charts, sequence diagrams | "Draw the customer complaint handling process" |

***

## Tips <a href="#tips" id="tips"></a>

{% hint style="success" %}
**Let AI help you iterate**

You do not need to get it right the first time. Have AI produce a first draft, then refine it step by step:

1. "Write a first draft"
2. "Make the tone more formal"
3. "Add supporting data"
4. "Change the last paragraph into a call to action"
   {% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
**Keep the versions you need**

If you need to keep the current content, download the file first. The preview and source code modes of Markdown Canvas do not let you edit text directly; edit the downloaded local file instead.
{% endhint %}

***

## Write documents <a href="#write-documents" id="write-documents"></a>

You can ask AI to write reports, emails, proposals, announcements, or meeting notes, and view the result in Canvas. Markdown documents can be downloaded and then edited manually.

### Quick start <a href="#quick-start" id="quick-start"></a>

Just tell AI what you want to write:

> "Write a quote reply email to a customer"
>
> "Use Canvas to organize today's meeting notes"
>
> "Write an internal announcement for a new feature launch"

After AI generates a document in Canvas, you can open the preview and download the result.

### Edit and revise <a href="#edit-and-revise" id="edit-and-revise"></a>

#### Download and edit manually <a href="#direct-edit" id="direct-edit"></a>

Markdown Canvas does not let you click on text to edit it the way Word does. Use the Download menu in the upper-right corner to save the Markdown file, then open it in a text editor. Source code mode is for viewing and copying only.

#### Ask AI to revise it <a href="#ai-assisted-edit" id="ai-assisted-edit"></a>

Enter clear revision instructions in the conversation, for example:

| You say                                        | AI does                                |
| ---------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| "Make the tone more formal"                    | Adjusts the tone of the whole document |
| "The second paragraph is too long, shorten it" | Shortens a specific paragraph          |
| "Add a paragraph about the schedule"           | Adds a paragraph                       |
| "Change it to a bulleted list"                 | Reformats the layout                   |
| "Translate it into English"                    | Translates the whole document          |

<figure><img src="https://1360999650-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6v6TNkkOQVfRYfcNirHL%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-feb7783cf407a43f54775edab716d4327a0e9cf4%2Fcanvas-markdown-download.png?alt=media" alt="Markdown Canvas download menu"><figcaption><p>The download menu offers the original Markdown format and PDF</p></figcaption></figure>

### Common document templates <a href="#document-templates" id="document-templates"></a>

Try these prompts to quickly produce common documents:

| Document type     | Example prompt                                                                                         |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Weekly report** | "Write this week's report. Highlights: finished Project A, started Requirement B, will do C next week" |
| **Email**         | "Write an email politely but clearly declining a vendor's quote"                                       |
| **Meeting notes** | "Format the following content as meeting notes: (paste your notes)"                                    |
| **Proposal**      | "Write a proposal outline for adopting AI customer service, including a benefit analysis"              |
| **Announcement**  | "Write a system maintenance announcement. The time is Saturday 2–6 AM"                                 |

### Export documents <a href="#export-document" id="export-document"></a>

For how to download and copy Markdown documents, see [Export](#export) above. You can edit the downloaded local file with the appropriate tool.

***

## Create charts <a href="#create-charts" id="create-charts"></a>

Describe what you want in natural language, and AI can draw flowcharts, organization charts, sequence diagrams, and other charts for you in Canvas. You do not need to learn any syntax; just say what you want to draw.

### Quick start <a href="#chart-quick-start" id="chart-quick-start"></a>

Just tell AI what kind of chart you want:

> "Draw a leave request flowchart"
>
> "Draw our department's organization chart"
>
> "Draw the process from a user placing an order to shipment"

### Supported chart types <a href="#supported-chart-types" id="supported-chart-types"></a>

| Chart type             | Example prompt                                      | Purpose                        |
| ---------------------- | --------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------ |
| **Flowchart**          | "Draw the expense reimbursement process"            | Steps and decision branches    |
| **Organization chart** | "Draw the department structure"                     | Reporting relationships        |
| **Sequence diagram**   | "Draw a sequence diagram of an API call"            | Order of system interactions   |
| **Gantt chart**        | "Draw a Gantt chart of the project schedule"        | Project scheduling             |
| **Mind map**           | "Use a mind map to organize our marketing strategy" | Brainstorming and categorizing |

### Edit charts <a href="#edit-chart" id="edit-chart"></a>

Want to adjust the result? Just say:

| You say                                     | AI does               |
| ------------------------------------------- | --------------------- |
| "Add a review step after step two"          | Adds a node           |
| "Change the flowchart to run left to right" | Changes the direction |
| "Remove the last step"                      | Deletes a node        |
| "Change the colors to blue tones"           | Adjusts the style     |

### Export charts <a href="#export-chart" id="export-chart"></a>

When you are done, you can:

* **Copy** — Paste it into a presentation or document
* **Take a screenshot** — Capture the chart directly from Canvas

***

## Next steps <a href="#next-steps" id="next-steps"></a>

* [Deep Research](/maiagent-user-guide/en/work/maigpt/deep-research.md)
* [Back to the MaiGPT overview](/maiagent-user-guide/en/work/maigpt.md)


---

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