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Sofie has several ways to find or use information. They sound similar, but they solve different problems. Use this guide when you are deciding whether to open Search, turn on Workspace search, enable Web search, Deep research, or Sofie Guide, attach a file, or add a Sofie item as context.

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Choose the right source path

Search finds items. Chat source tools give Sofie information to reason from in a response.
Use Search when you need to locate work. Good uses:
  • Find a prior chat.
  • Reopen a Workspace.
  • Find a CoDraft by phrase.
  • Find a CoMeeting that discussed a decision.
  • Find a CoSheet, Orchestration, Sequence, or Template.
Search does not automatically make a result part of the next chat response. Open the result, then ask Sofie from that page or add the item as context. Use Workspace search when Sofie should answer from files and artifacts in a selected Workspace. Good uses:
  • Find source material for a deviation investigation.
  • Compare a URS against validation protocol sections.
  • Summarize project evidence across uploaded files.
  • Identify missing source documents in a tech transfer package.
  • Pull meeting context and artifacts tied to a shared project.
Ask direct source questions:
Use Web search when Sofie needs current public information. Good uses:
  • Recent public regulatory updates.
  • Public pharmacopoeia or agency references.
  • General market, scientific, or technical background.
  • Public company or product information.
Public web sources can be incomplete, outdated, or not appropriate for your controlled process. Review the source before relying on it.

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Deep research

Use Deep research when breadth matters more than speed. Deep research is better for source gathering and synthesis than quick lookup. Good uses:
  • Comparing public regulatory guidance across agencies.
  • Building a source map before drafting.
  • Reviewing a topic with multiple public references.
  • Preparing research that needs source lists and open questions.
Use Deep research when the task is worth waiting for. Use Web search for quicker lookup.

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Sofie Guide

Use Sofie Guide when the question is about Sofie documentation. Good uses:
  • Learn how to use a Sofie feature.
  • Find the right workflow for a task.
  • Compare Sofie concepts such as Workspace search, Add context, Saved prompts, Memory, and Directives.
  • Ask for documentation citations while you are in chat.
Sofie Guide does not search your Workspace files or public web sources. See Sofie Guide for examples.

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Attachments

Use Attach when the source is a local file for one message or one short workflow. Good uses:
  • Review a PDF you have not added to a Workspace.
  • Import a DOCX or DOC into CoDraft.
  • Import an XLSX or CSV into CoSheet.
  • Analyze an image, JSON file, text file, presentation, or spreadsheet.
Move files to a Workspace when they belong to a project, team, or recurring process.

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File Query and File Studio

Use File Query when Sofie should inspect file content. This is useful for visuals, figures, charts, diagrams, slide layouts, or formatted PDFs. Use File Studio when Sofie should produce a file or run code-based file work, such as creating a PowerPoint, transforming JSON to CSV, or generating a downloadable Word file. Example:

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Add context

Use Add context when the relevant item already exists in Sofie. You can add:
  • A Workspace.
  • A CoDraft.
  • A CoSheet.
  • A CoMeeting.
  • An Orchestration.
  • A plan created in the current conversation.
  • A Saved prompt.
Selected context appears as chips above the chat input. Remove chips that should not influence the answer.

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Sofie Everywhere

Use Sofie Everywhere when the current page should be the context. This is often the fastest path after you use Search to open the right item. Examples:

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Source confidence habits

For life sciences work, make source use visible. Ask Sofie to:
  • List the sources it used.
  • Separate facts, assumptions, and recommendations.
  • Identify missing files or missing data.
  • Cite specific documents or public sources when possible.
  • Flag when a conclusion needs human review.
Reusable prompt: