Ask ChatGPT for a tool, not an answer: 3 prompts for work
Since 7 October, OpenAI's release notes say ChatGPT can answer with "tools you can use directly in the conversation, such as calculators, bill splitters, and games," plus side-by-side comparisons and diagrams. Instead of asking for one number, ask for something you can drag, switch and check.
What you need
ChatGPT with the new visual answers. It's rolling out, and availability depends on your plan, platform, account and workspace. OpenAI notes the Pro reasoning option doesn't support it.
You don't need anything special in the prompt: run as written in a ChatGPT temporary chat on 27 Oct, all 3 below came back as working tools. If a request comes back as plain text, try the Visualize plugin: type @ in the message box, start typing Visualize, and pick Visualize under Plugins.
Your own numbers, or made-up ones while you try it.
The 3 prompts
1. A calculator you can drag
Build me a break-even calculator: price per job, hours per job and monthly costs as sliders. Start at $180 per job, 3 hours per job and $4,200 a month in costs.
Swap in your own starting numbers. Then drag the sliders.
2. Quotes side by side
Lay these 3 quotes side by side. Let me switch line items on and off and see each total change.
Paste the 3 quotes above it.
3. Who signs off, drawn out
Draw how a purchase gets approved at a 20-person company, with who signs at each step.
Swap in your own company, or paste a few lines on how it works today so it draws yours. The amounts it picks are examples until you give it yours.
Then check it
Show me the formula behind each number.
Work one value out by hand or in a spreadsheet. OpenAI's own advice: "Verify important values, geographic boundaries, and source assumptions."
The catch
It's a snapshot. OpenAI says a visualization "is generally a snapshot of the information available when ChatGPT created it, not a live dashboard." If you need something you'll come back to and update, ask ChatGPT to turn it into a Site.
Prefer plain text? On ChatGPT on the web, open Settings and turn off Layout and visuals.
The mistake to avoid
Trusting the first number it shows you. Ask for the formulas every time, and check one by hand.