The popular AI assistant Claude from Anthropic is now even more useful: the new file functions enable the automated creation and editing of Word, Excel, PowerPoint files and PDFs directly in the chat. By integrating generic files and using APIs, Claude offers maximum flexibility in a data-driven working environment.
Claude creates and edits PDF, Word, PPT files via chat
With Claude, PDF, Word, Excel and PowerPoint files can now be created, uploaded and even edited directly in the Claude chat.
Examples: Create and edit files
Simply describe the desired file type or upload data such as a PDF. Claude now creates and adapts complete files. This should cover and support many of the typical tasks at the workplace.
Create and revise Excel sheets with functional formulas and multiple tables (e.g. create a balance sheet, report or forecast)
Create and revise PPT presentations with text and visualizations (e.g. project reports, company presentations)
Check presentations for spelling mistakes and correct them automatically, adapt style
Examples: Convert file formats
Typical workflows such as reporting, data analysis, project management and data cleansing can now be made more efficient with Claude. The ability to convert file formats is particularly practical. This allows routine work to be automated and sources of error to be reduced.
Creation of Excel tables from PDFs
Generation of presentation slides from Word reports
Conversion of meeting notes from text files into formatted Word documents.
Who can use the file features?
The preview of the file features is currently available to Max, Team and Enterprise users
This will soon also be available for Claude Pro users.
Technical infrastructure and security of file functions
The technical foundations of this feature are based on the Anthropic Files API, which enables easy uploading, management and referencing of files. Developers can address the files via a unique file ID in chat interactions to trigger automated analyses or summaries. In addition, all common Office formats and PDFs are supported, which Claude automatically recognizes, analyses and transfers.
File processing operations are carried out in a specially protected environment (“computer use”, i.e. Claude has its own “computer”), which ensures data security and integrity. Within this private environment, Claude can independently execute program code to implement complex document and data analysis requirements. This means that the content is processed in a targeted and temporary manner and does not interfere with the normal AI chats and tasks.
Hence all security measures users have to be careful not to upload sensitive company information. Anthopic explicitly states this in the announcement and gives some extra information on this topic.
Significance for companies and integration into existing workflows
For companies and developers, Claude’s new functions offer a clear productivity gain: Office documents, automated analyses and reports can be created in a time-saving manner, while the API connection enables flexible integration into existing systems. The preview phase and the continuous expansion of functions address the requirements of labour-intensive industries and the security standards of large organizations in particular.
