ΣSummarize long reports
Turn a 60-page report into a one-page brief with the key findings.
Use cases
What you can do with a PDF in Perplexity
QAsk questions
Find answers buried in the text: “What’s the notice period in this contract?”
▦Extract tables and numbers
Pull figures into a clean table you can paste into a spreadsheet.
⇄Compare documents
Upload two versions and ask what changed, or compare two papers’ findings.
✎Make study notes
Create flashcards, quiz questions or a revision outline from lecture slides.
文Translate and simplify
Explain jargon in plain language or translate a section into another language.
Step by step
How to upload and analyze a PDF in 6 steps
Open Perplexity and start a new thread
Go to perplexity.ai or open the official app. Sign in so your uploaded files and answers are saved in your Library.
- You can upload on web, desktop and mobile.
- Start a fresh thread for each new document.
Attach your PDF
Click the attach (paperclip or +) button next to the question box, then choose your file. On a computer you can also drag the PDF into the question box.
- On mobile, pick the file from Files, Drive or your downloads.
- Wait until the file shows as uploaded before you ask.
Ask a clear question about it
Tell Perplexity exactly what you want from the document: a summary, a list of deadlines, the main argument, or the numbers in a table.
- Say the format: bullets, a table, or a short paragraph.
- Ask it to mention page numbers so you can check.
Check the answer against the PDF
Open your document at the page Perplexity mentions and confirm important facts, figures and quotes. AI can misread scanned pages and complex tables.
- Double-check every number you plan to use.
- Ask “quote the exact sentence” for key claims.
Ask follow-ups or add the web
Keep asking in the same thread. You can also ask Perplexity to compare the PDF with information on the web, such as newer data or other opinions.
- “How does this compare with the latest figures online?”
- “Explain section 4 in simpler words.”
Save it in a Space for later
If you’ll come back to the document, add it to a Space. Files in a Space can be used across every thread in that project.
- Great for course readings, contracts or research papers.
- Add instructions like “answer in simple English”.
Prompts
Copy-ready prompts for PDFs
Upload your file first, then paste one of these into the question box.
Summary
Summarize this PDF in 5 bullet points for a busy reader, and give the page number for each point.
Key facts
List every date, deadline and amount of money mentioned in this document, with page numbers.
Tables
Extract the table on page 7 into a clean table with the same columns. Flag any numbers you are unsure about.
Contracts
Explain the main obligations, fees and cancellation terms in this contract in plain English. I am not asking for legal advice.
Research papers
Summarize this paper’s research question, method, sample size, main findings and limitations.
Check
Quote the exact sentences from the PDF that support each point in your summary.
Files
Supported files and limits
Besides PDFs, Perplexity accepts most common document, data and image files.
PDFDOCXTXTCSVXLSXPPTXMarkdownCode filesJPG / PNG
File size limits, how many files you can attach at once and how many uploads you get per day all depend on your plan, and Perplexity adjusts them from time to time. Free accounts get a smaller daily allowance; Pro and Max allow far more. If a file is rejected, the upload screen tells you why.
For the current numbers, check Perplexity’s Help Center or our limits and credits guide.
Tips
Tips for better PDF answers
Point to a section
“Focus on chapter 3” or “only the results section” gives sharper answers on long files.
Ask for page numbers
Page references make every claim quick to check in the original.
Split very long PDFs
For books or 300-page reports, upload the chapters you need rather than the whole file.
Use clean, text-based PDFs
Exported PDFs work better than phone photos of pages. Re-scan blurry pages if you can.
Check tables twice
Merged cells and multi-page tables are easy to misread. Compare totals with the original.
Try Deep Research for big jobs
For literature reviews across many papers, combine your files with Deep Research.
Privacy and safety
- Only upload documents you have the right to share with an online service.
- Don’t upload passwords, ID documents, bank statements or medical records unless you are comfortable with them being stored online.
- At work, check your company’s AI policy first. Enterprise plans offer extra data controls.
- Review your data and AI training settings in your Perplexity account, and delete threads you no longer need from your Library.
- Treat answers about contracts, health or money as a starting point, not professional advice.
Troubleshooting
PDF upload problems and fixes
| Problem | Likely cause | Try this |
|---|---|---|
| Upload fails | File too large or slow connection | Compress the PDF or split it, then retry on a stable connection. |
| “Can’t read file” | Password protection or a damaged file | Remove the password (if you own it) or re-export the PDF. |
| Answer ignores the PDF | File still processing, or question is vague | Wait for the upload to finish and say “based on the attached PDF…”. |
| Wrong numbers | Scanned page or complex table | Ask for the exact quote and page, and check it against the original. |
| Limit reached | Daily upload allowance used up | Wait for the limit to reset or check paid plan limits. |
More fixes in our file upload errors guide.
FAQ
Questions about PDFs in Perplexity
Can Perplexity read PDFs for free?
Yes, free accounts can upload files, with daily limits. Paid plans such as Pro raise the limits and allow more uploads. Exact limits change, so check the upload screen or Perplexity’s Help Center.
Can Perplexity read scanned PDFs?
Often, yes. It can read text from scanned pages, but quality depends on the scan. Blurry pages, handwriting and complex layouts are where mistakes happen, so check those parts carefully.
How many PDFs can I upload at once?
You can attach several files to one question and compare them. The maximum number and file size depend on your plan and may change over time.
Does Perplexity give page numbers?
It can if you ask. Add “include page numbers” to your prompt, then use them to check the original.
Is it safe to upload private documents?
Only upload files you are allowed to share with an online service. Avoid uploading ID documents, passwords, medical records or confidential work files unless your organisation permits it, and review Perplexity’s privacy settings.
Why won’t my PDF upload?
Common causes are a file that’s too large, password-protected, damaged, or a slow connection. See our file upload errors guide for fixes.
Keep learning
Try it
Analyze your first PDF
Open Perplexity, attach a document and paste one of the prompts above. It’s free to start.