File Studio is a Sofie capability for working with files in a code sandbox. It is useful when the work is file-based, programmatic, or outside the scope of the dedicated Sofie editors.
Use File Studio when you need Sofie to create, inspect, transform, or edit files such as PowerPoint presentations, Word documents, Excel workbooks, JSON files, CSV files, and other structured data files.
You usually do not need to choose File Studio by name. Describe the file outcome you want. If Sofie chooses the wrong path, you can say Use File Studio for this.
When to use File Studio
Use File Studio when the task needs a file operation that does not fit a normal chat answer, CoDraft, or CoSheet.
Good uses:
- Create or edit a PowerPoint file when the dedicated presentation surface is not available.
- Create or edit a Word document as a file instead of a collaborative CoDraft.
- Transform JSON, CSV, TSV, or other structured data with code.
- Batch-process multiple files.
- Run statistical or programmatic analysis that is easier in a code sandbox.
- Generate a downloadable file from source data.
- Preserve or modify Office-file formatting when a simple summary is not enough.
Example:
Use File Studio to create a PowerPoint summary from this deviation review. Make 6 slides: background, timeline, evidence reviewed, open gaps, recommended next checks, and appendix. Provide a download link.
Use File Studio to transform this JSON export into a clean CSV. Include columns for record ID, event date, owner, status, source system, and missing fields. Provide the file as a download.
When not to use File Studio
Use the dedicated Sofie surface when the user experience matters more than a generated file.
| Need | Use instead |
|---|
| Collaborative document drafting, review comments, suggestions, tracked changes, or template filling | CoDraft |
| Interactive spreadsheet viewing, editing, formulas, charts, pivots, or shared tabular work | CoSheet |
| Source-backed answers from Workspace files | Workspace search |
| Deep inspection of visual document content, charts, diagrams, or layout | File Query |
| Charts or diagrams displayed directly in chat | Chart and diagram generation |
| Concept images, illustrations, infographics, or edited images displayed in chat | Image Generation |
| Repeatable multi-step process with review points | Orchestration |
If you want to keep editing the result with teammates inside Sofie, ask for CoDraft or CoSheet. If you need a generated Office file or code-based transformation, ask for File Studio.
File Studio versus CoDraft
CoDraft is the best path for collaborative writing inside Sofie.
Use CoDraft when you want to:
- Draft a report, memo, protocol, URS, SOP, email, or template.
- Edit with Sofie in a live document editor.
- Add comments or suggestions.
- Use review workflows.
- Keep the work as a Sofie artifact.
Use File Studio when you want to:
- Create or modify a Word file as a downloadable file.
- Work with a file format or transformation that CoDraft does not support.
- Generate a Word output from structured data.
- Perform code-based document manipulation.
File Studio versus CoSheet
CoSheet is the best path for interactive spreadsheets.
Use CoSheet when you want to:
- Import XLSX or CSV data into a grid.
- View and edit cells.
- Add formulas.
- Create charts or pivot tables.
- Collaborate on spreadsheet data in Sofie.
Use File Studio when you want to:
- Run Python-style statistical analysis.
- Batch-transform multiple files.
- Process JSON or CSV data with code.
- Create an Excel workbook with complex generated formatting.
- Perform operations that would be awkward as spreadsheet formulas.
For most spreadsheet editing, use CoSheet first. File Studio is better when the task is explicitly code-based, statistical, batch-oriented, or needs a downloadable generated file.
File Studio versus File Query
File Query and File Studio both work with files, but they are different.
| Need | Better tool |
|---|
| Ask questions about a PDF, image, PowerPoint, Word file, or visual layout | File Query |
| Inspect charts, diagrams, images, or formatting in a source file | File Query |
| Generate or edit an Office file | File Studio |
| Transform data into a new file | File Studio |
| Run programmatic analysis and return generated outputs | File Studio |
Use File Query to inspect this presentation. Identify charts, diagrams, and claims that need source support.
Use File Studio to create a revised PowerPoint file with a clearer executive summary and an appendix of open source gaps.
File Studio versus visual generation
Sofie can create visuals in chat and can also use File Studio when the visual needs to become part of a downloadable file.
| Need | Use |
|---|
| A chart, timeline, flowchart, or process diagram shown in chat | Chart and diagram generation |
| A concept image, technical illustration, infographic, or edited image shown in chat | Image Generation |
| A PowerPoint, Word file, or generated file that includes the visual | File Studio |
Create a visual timeline of the investigation, then use File Studio to place it in a PowerPoint file with an appendix of source gaps. Return the download link.
Ask for downloadable files
File Studio can return generated files. When you need the actual file, ask for the download link.
Example:
Use File Studio to create a DOCX summary from these notes. Include headings, a decision table, and action items. Return the download link when the file is ready.
Use File Studio for PowerPoint work
Until your organization exposes a dedicated presentation surface, File Studio is the right path for PowerPoint-style file work.
You can ask Sofie to:
- Create a new
.pptx file.
- Edit an uploaded
.pptx.
- Summarize slides.
- Add an executive summary.
- Reorganize slides.
- Create an appendix.
- Turn analysis into a slide outline.
- Generate a downloadable PowerPoint file.
Example:
Use File Studio to create a 7-slide PowerPoint for a quality review meeting. Use the attached investigation summary. Keep claims source-backed and put unresolved questions in the appendix.
Use File Studio for structured data
File Studio is useful for code-based transformations:
- Clean a JSON export.
- Normalize date fields.
- Merge multiple CSVs.
- Create derived columns.
- Generate a clean output file.
- Run statistical checks.
- Produce a file for downstream review.
Example:
Use File Studio to merge these CSV files, standardize the date format, flag duplicate records, and generate a cleaned CSV. Include a short summary of transformations and a download link.
Review File Studio output
Before using a generated file:
- Open the file and inspect the content.
- Check formulas, statistics, and transformations.
- Confirm source files and assumptions.
- Verify that formatting did not change meaning.
- Review all conclusions before controlled use.
Treat File Studio outputs as prepared work, not approved work. Review generated files before using them in regulated, quality, clinical, or controlled processes.
