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Context references let you point Sofie to a specific attachment or selected Sofie item inside your message. Type [[ in the chat input to open a picker, then choose the item you want to mention. Use references when a message includes several sources and you need Sofie to focus on the right one at the right moment.

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What you can reference

The [[ picker uses the context already available in the chat input. You can reference:
  • Attached files.
  • CoDrafts.
  • CoSheets.
  • CoMeetings.
  • Workspaces.
  • Orchestrations.
  • Plans in the current conversation.
  • Selected text from a CoDraft or CoSheet when it has been added as context.
If the picker says no context items are added, click + first. Add a Sofie item with Add context or choose Attach for a local file.

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Add a reference

1

Add context or attach a file

Click + and choose Add context or Attach. Confirm the item appears above the chat input.
2

Type double brackets

In the message, type [[.
3

Find the item

Type part of the item name to filter the picker.
4

Select the item

Click the item, or use the arrow keys and press Tab or Enter.
5

Write the instruction around the reference

Tell Sofie exactly how to use that source.
After you select an item, Sofie inserts it as a chip in the message. Remove the chip if you picked the wrong item.
Use arrows plus Tab when you are adding several references quickly. This is faster than switching between the keyboard and mouse.

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Why references improve answers

References make source intent explicit. They help Sofie understand which attachment or context item belongs to each part of the task. This matters when:
  • Multiple attachments have similar names.
  • One source should be used for facts and another for formatting.
  • You want Sofie to compare two specific items.
  • You want to refer to a selected range or selected text.
  • You need Sofie to ignore earlier context in the conversation.
Without references: 
Compare the protocol and the table. Flag gaps.
With references: 
Compare [[Validation protocol]] against [[Acceptance criteria table]]. Return a gap table with protocol section, table field, mismatch, impact, and SME question.

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Reference attachments

Attachments are useful for one-time file review. Reference an attachment when you have more than one file attached or when one file has a specific role in the prompt. Examples: 
Use [[Deviation summary.pdf]] as the event source and [[Batch record excerpt.xlsx]] as the data source. Return only source-backed facts, gaps, assumptions, and SME questions.

Use [[Investigation draft.docx]] for structure and [[QA comments.pdf]] for review points. Do not add conclusions unless the comments support them.

Extract tables from [[assay-results.csv]] and create a CoSheet. Add a summary tab for missing values, outliers, and rows needing review.

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Reference Sofie items

Use references for existing Sofie work when the item already lives in Sofie. Examples: 
Use [[PPQ Workspace]] and [[Sampling rationale CoDraft]]. Find source gaps before drafting any new language.

Compare decisions in [[QA triage CoMeeting]] with the assumptions listed in [[Impact assessment CoDraft]].

Use [[Release readiness CoSheet]] to identify batches with missing review status, then draft a follow-up message.

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Reference selected content

When selected text or a selected CoSheet range appears as context, reference it directly. This keeps the prompt focused on the exact excerpt or range instead of the whole artifact. Examples: 
Rewrite [[Selected protocol paragraph]] for QA review. Keep claims tied to the selected source and list missing evidence below the revision.

Explain the trend in [[A1:F24 selected range]]. Flag any row that needs SME review before creating a chart.

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Combine references with search settings

References identify specific context. Search settings control how Sofie gathers additional evidence.
NeedUse
Use this exact file or artifactAdd it, then reference it with [[.
Search across a WorkspaceReference the Workspace and turn on Workspace search.
Ask about Sofie documentationTurn on Sofie Guide.
Use current public informationTurn on Web search or Deep research.
Review a multi-step source planTurn on Plan Mode.
Good combined prompt: 
Use [[PPQ Workspace]] with Workspace search. Compare the search results against [[Protocol outline CoDraft]]. Return source-backed facts, source gaps, assumptions, and questions for QA.

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Write precise reference prompts

Use this pattern: 
Use [[source name]] for:
Compare it with [[second source]] for:
Return:
Do not:
Flag:
Example: 
Use [[Deviation summary.pdf]] for the event timeline.
Compare it with [[Investigation interview notes]] for missing facts.
Return a table with fact, source, missing evidence, assumption, and SME question.
Do not infer root cause.
Flag any unsupported conclusion language.

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Troubleshoot references

ProblemWhat to do
The picker is emptyAdd context or attach a file first.
The item is missingCheck that it is selected in the current chat input and that you have access.
Too many similar names appearType more of the title after [[ to filter the picker.
Sofie used the wrong itemRemove the chip, add the right one, and restate the source boundary.
Sofie answered too broadlySay Use only [[item name]] and ignore other context unless I ask for it.
Referencing a source helps Sofie focus, but it does not replace human review. Verify source use, calculations, conclusions, and any output used in regulated or controlled work.