ChatGPT: Improved overview in Deep Research mode

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ChatGPT is continuously developing its research capabilities. A new update adds a full-screen document viewer to the Deep Research mode, significantly improving the display and management of AI-generated reports. The goal of this enhancement is to make research processes more transparent, provide greater control, and further improve the quality of results. This makes ChatGPT an increasingly structured tool for in-depth analysis and comprehensive research.

The Deep Research feature was introduced last year. Unlike a regular ChatGPT query, this mode deliberately takes more time. A complex question is first broken down into individual sub-questions. ChatGPT then gathers relevant information from the internet, compares different sources, verifies claims, and combines the results into a coherent, better-substantiated answer.

This process is more extensive and takes longer than a standard response. This is precisely where the new update comes in. It improves the presentation of results and expands the control options during the ongoing search.

New full-screen document viewer

The most important new feature is the full-screen document viewer. Previously, deep research reports were displayed directly in the chat window. With the update, the AI-generated reports can now be opened and browsed separately from the chat in their own full-screen view. The document viewer is clearly structured:

The left column contains an integrated table of contents. This allows you to jump directly to specific sections of the document.
A list of citations can be displayed in the right-hand column. This view is expandable and shows the sources on which individual statements in the report are based.

This layout creates a clear and organized work environment. The report takes center stage, while the chat remains in the background.

Improvements for more accurate and credible reports

According to OpenAI's official release notes, several improvements have been introduced to enable more precise and credible reports. The Deep Research mode now offers additional options to further focus the research. It is possible to:

to focus the research specifically on certain websites,
to include a larger collection of connected apps as trusted sources.

These enhancements provide greater control over which sources are considered. This allows for more targeted research and better adaptation to specific requirements.

New entry point and better management

The user interface has also been redesigned. A new entry point for Deep Research is now available in the sidebar, simplifying the process of starting a search. Additionally, the full-screen report view allows searches to be started, reviewed, and managed from a central location.

Before starting a research project, a research plan can be created and edited. This allows you to define which aspects should be investigated. During the research, it's possible to adjust the direction. The process therefore remains flexible and controllable.

Transparency during the ongoing research

Another key feature is real-time monitoring. While ChatGPT is working on a report, progress can be tracked live. At the same time, there is the option to:

to change the scope of the research,
to add additional sources,
to adjust the focus.

This transparency makes it possible to track how a report develops. Adjustments are also possible during the ongoing process.

Export of the completed reports

Once a report is complete, it can be exported directly from the document viewer. Several formats are supported:

Markdown
Word
PDF

This makes it easy to reuse the results, for example for documentation, presentations or other written work.

Availability of the update

According to OpenAI, the new full-screen document viewer will initially be rolled out to Plus and Pro subscribers. ChatGPT Go users and free users should receive the update in the coming days. The rollout will therefore be gradual, across different subscription tiers.

ChatGPT optimizes complex searches with new features

ChatGPT's Deep Research mode is significantly enhanced with the full-screen document viewer and expanded control options. The separation of chat and report, the integrated table of contents, the toggleable quote view, and the ability to selectively control sources provide greater clarity and control.

The combination of structured presentation, real-time monitoring, and flexible customization makes ChatGPT in Deep Research mode a powerful tool for extensive and traceable research. (Image: Shutterstock / Diego Thomazini)