Explain PDFs with UPDF AI

UPDF AI's Explain feature helps you quickly understand complex PDFs, including technical reports, contracts, and research papers. Available on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and online, it makes PDF content easier to understand. Follow the steps below to get started.

Part 1. Explain PDFs with UPDF AI Assistant on Windows and Mac

Method 1. Select to Explain

Step 1. Select the text you want explained in your PDF. In the floating toolbar, click the arrow next to the AI option and choose “Explain.”

Step 2. Review the explanation in the pop-up window. Use “Pin” to keep the window visible, “Add Sticky Note” or “Add Highlight Note” to add the explanation to your PDF, “Start Speaking” to hear it read aloud, or “Copy” to copy it. To revise the explanation, click the original text at the top, edit it, then click “Generate.” You can also switch to “Summarize” or “Translate” using the drop-down next to “Explain.”

Method 2. Explain Selective Content from the PDF

Step 1. Select the text you want explained in your PDF and click “Copy” in the floating toolbar.

Step 2. Click “Explain” on the right sidebar, paste the copied text into the input box, then click the “Explain” button.

Step 3. Review the explanation below and use “Start Speaking” to hear it read aloud or “Copy” to copy it. To remove the input text, click “Clear.”

Method 3. Use the Chat Box to Ask Questions Related to the PDF

Step 1. Select “Ask PDF” or “AI Chat” on the right sidebar, then enter a question about the PDF in the chat box, such as “Which teams and partners should collaborate when launching the program?” Click the send arrow to receive an explanation.

Method 4. Explain with AI Chat

Step 1. Right-click and drag over the PDF area you want to select. In the floating toolbar, choose “Copy as Image” or “Copy as Text.”

Step 2. Paste the copied image or text into the “Ask PDF”/"AI Chat" chat box. Enter a custom prompt, such as “How should this be interpreted?”, then click “Send” to get a response.

Tip: You can also click the “+” button in the chat box and choose “Image” to upload an image or “Screenshot” to capture the content you want to explain.

Part 2. Explain PDFs with UPDF AI Assistant on iOS/Android Smartphones

In addition to the desktop version, UPDF's AI assistant is also integrated into UPDF iOS and Android apps. The mobile version retains the same powerful features as the desktop version, ensuring seamless document comprehension anytime, anywhere. UPDF app includes an explain feature to let users get clarifications on any complex terms or phrases while reading.

Users simply need to select the content and utilize the UPDF AI explain feature to receive instant insights. After getting an explanation, you get the option to copy and regenerate it as well.

Method 1. Explain While Reading

While going through your UPDF, you can simply select the content and use the AI explain feature to generate quick clarification. This makes it easier for users to understand complex terms without leaving the document. Perform these steps to explain content while reading using the UPDF app:

Step 1. Launch UPDF and Open the Document

To begin, launch the UPDF application on your mobile and tap the Plus icon on the main interface. Now, tap the Files or Cloud Drive option to import your desired file.

Step 2. Select Content and Explain with UPDF AI

Moving forward, select the text you want to explain and tap on the UPDF AI option within the floating toolbar. Now, pick the Explain option to let this tool generate the results. Once it generates the explanation, simply tap the Copy or the Note icon to integrate the explanation into your PDF.

Method 2. Use Copy & Paste For Explanation

For users who prefer a more customized response, this method allows them to copy specific content and paste it into the UPDF AI chat mode for explanation. This approach is useful for obtaining a more detailed or tailored clarification, which is explained as follows:

Step 1. Copy Content and Open AI Chat

To begin, open your PDF and highlight the text you want to understand. From the pop-up menu, choose Copy and then tap on the UPDF AI icon present on the top of your screen. Now, access the Chat mode and then Paste the content within the text box.

Step 2. Prompt UPDF AI to Explain

After pasting the content, prompt AI to explain the text and hit the Send icon. You can even select the Explain built-in prompt to get the job done. Once you get the explanation, Regenerate or Copy the content.

Part 3. Explain PDFs in Web Browser Using UPDF AI Online

For users who wish to access AI-powered explanations without downloading any software, UPDF AI Online provides a seamless solution. When you upload the document to this platform, AI automatically provides a brief explanation, giving you key insights. Along with that, it also provides 3 recommended questions to let you deepen your understanding of the topic.

Other than that, if you can't understand certain content or lines, you can paste them into the chatbot and prompt the AI to generate explanations. You can even prompt AI to give explanations to suit your needs, such as providing a simplified answer, a detailed breakdown, or an example-based explanation. Follow the guide below to get a better understanding of the ways UPDF AI  uses GPT-5 to allow you to chat with PDF:

Scenario 1: Explain From a Document

If you are having queries from a PDF document you have in your device, you can easily upload it across the AI platform and get the desired explanation.

Step 1. Access UPDF AI Online and Upload a PDF

Start by launching UPDF AI Online in your browser and tap the “Click, drag, or paste PDF / Image here” button to import your document into the platform.

After doing so, tap on your added document under the "Files" section to open it within the AI interface. Next, hit the "Get Started" button to enable the AI assistant panel on the right side.

Step 2. Type in Explain Prompt and Review Results

After the PDF is uploaded, enter the prompt, “Explain this PDF in detail” in the text field and press Send. UPDF AI will produce the output, which you can then either copy or regenerate as needed.

Step 3. Regenerate the Results or Copy

Review the explanation, and if you find it satisfying, click the "Copy" button to save it to your clipboard.

Scenario 2: Explain with UPDF AI Bot

Besides chatting with your uploaded PDFs, UPDF lets you have a general conversation with the UPDF Chat Bot. This also allows you to copy any text from another platform or document and input it across UPDF AI for detailed explanation. Walk through the steps below to get a better understanding of the process:

Step 1. Locate Chat Bot and Type in the Prompt

From the main UPDF AI interface, go to the “Chat Bot” tab in the left sidebar and select “Explain.” Next, enter your prompt in the text box and click “Send” to generate the output.

Users can even add the screenshots to let UPDF AI explain the content for them. For this, simply tap the Image icon in the text box. Then, prompt AI to explain the content of the image and hit the Send icon.

Step 2. Copy or Regenerate the Results of UPDF AI Chat Bot

After the results are generated, you can review them and hit the “Copy” or “Regenerate” button based on your preferences.