Your guide to getting more from the world’s most talked-about AI assistant ChatGPT
Introduction
This A–Z guide highlights 26 top features of ChatGPT, explained in plain English.
ChatGPT has quickly gone from curiosity to everyday tool — helping people write, analyse, code, and create at speed.
But with so many features, it can be difficult to know where to start or how to make the most of it.
Each section gives you:
- Definition – what the feature is
- Deeper Dive – why it matters
- In Action – a business-friendly example
- Try It Yourself – a simple prompt to test today
Let’s dive in.
A – API Access
Definition: Connect ChatGPT to your own apps or workflows via an API.
Deeper Dive: APIs let you embed ChatGPT into websites, CRMs, or back-office systems, automating tasks and enhancing customer experiences.
In Action: An HR platform generates tailored interview questions the moment a CV is uploaded.
Try It Yourself: “Imagine you’re my company’s HR chatbot. Create 5 tailored interview questions for a candidate applying for a digital marketing manager role.”
B – Brainstorming
Definition: Generating creative ideas on demand.
Deeper Dive: ChatGPT is excellent for breaking through blank-page syndrome.
In Action: A marketing team asks for event theme ideas and gets 20 in seconds.
Try It Yourself: “Give me 10 creative event themes for a conference about sustainable manufacturing.”
C – Code Generation
Definition: Writing and debugging code in multiple languages.
Deeper Dive: ChatGPT can produce snippets, explain logic, and suggest fixes.
In Action: A business owner generates HTML/CSS for a simple contact form.
Try It Yourself: “Write HTML and CSS for a contact form with fields for name, email, and message, styled with a green and white colour scheme.”
D – Data Analysis
Definition: Reviewing and extracting insights from datasets.
Deeper Dive: Upload spreadsheets or CSVs for ChatGPT to summarise and visualise.
In Action: A sales director identifies top-performing regions and underperforming products.
Try It Yourself: “Here’s my CSV of monthly sales data. Tell me the top 3 products by revenue and suggest reasons why they might be selling well.”
E – Email Drafting
Definition: Creating polished, professional emails quickly.
Deeper Dive: From prospecting to payment reminders, ChatGPT delivers first drafts you can personalise.
In Action: A consultant drafts a firm but polite overdue invoice reminder.
Try It Yourself: “Write a professional but friendly email chasing payment for an overdue invoice from a regular client.”
F – File Analysis
Definition: Reading and summarising uploaded documents.
Deeper Dive: PDFs, Word docs, and spreadsheets can be condensed into usable insights.
In Action: A project manager turns a 40-page technical report into a one-page executive summary.
Try It Yourself: “Summarise this PDF into 5 key points for a senior management update.”
G – Grammar & Style Editing
Definition: Improving clarity, tone, and flow.
Deeper Dive: Beyond typos, ChatGPT adjusts style for different audiences.
In Action: A press release is rewritten for a more persuasive impact.
Try It Yourself: “Rewrite this paragraph to be more persuasive while keeping it under 80 words.”
H – Headline Creation
Definition: Writing attention-grabbing titles for content.
Deeper Dive: Produces multiple options so you can test what resonates.
In Action: A retailer tests AI-generated ad headlines, boosting click-throughs.
Try It Yourself: “Give me 5 punchy blog headlines for an article about reducing workplace stress.”
I – Image Generation
Definition: Creating visuals from text prompts.
Deeper Dive: Useful for conceptual graphics, training slides, or blog headers.
In Action: A trainer generates simple flat graphics for each course module.
Try It Yourself: “Create a flat, minimalist illustration of a team collaborating around a laptop, in teal and orange colours.”
J – Job Application Support
Definition: Tailoring CVs, cover letters, and interview prep.
Deeper Dive: ChatGPT can highlight transferable skills and simulate interviews.
In Action: A candidate adapts their CV for a new sector in under an hour.
Try It Yourself: “Rewrite my CV profile to highlight leadership and strategic planning skills for a senior operations role.”
K – Knowledge Summarisation
Definition: Condensing long documents into usable summaries.
Deeper Dive: Perfect for executives who need insights, not pages.
In Action: A director receives a 40-page report condensed into a two-paragraph briefing.
Try It Yourself: “Summarise this 10-page report into 5 bullet points suitable for a board presentation.”
L – Language Translation
Definition: Translating content while keeping tone and nuance.
Deeper Dive: Goes beyond literal translation, adapting to context.
In Action: A hotel produces welcome guides in three languages, keeping brand tone consistent.
Try It Yourself: “Translate this product description into French and German, keeping the tone warm and friendly.”
M – Meeting Summaries
Definition: Turning transcripts or notes into concise summaries.
Deeper Dive: Identifies decisions, action items, and deadlines.
In Action: A project lead gets clear action lists from Teams transcripts.
Try It Yourself: “Summarise this meeting transcript, highlighting action points and responsible people.”
N – Natural Language Search
Definition: Asking questions in plain English and getting precise answers.
Deeper Dive: Understands intent as well as keywords.
In Action: A sales manager asks “Which three regions performed best in Q2?” and gets a direct answer from uploaded data.
Try It Yourself: “Using this spreadsheet of monthly revenue, tell me the three best-performing months and explain why they might have been higher.”
O – Outline Creation
Definition: Structuring plans for content or projects.
Deeper Dive: Provides a skeleton that saves planning time.
In Action: A trainer designs a 6-module course outline with objectives.
Try It Yourself: “Create a 6-part webinar series outline on the topic of remote team leadership.”
P – Prompt Engineering
Definition: Writing better inputs for better outputs.
Deeper Dive: A core skill for anyone using AI daily.
In Action: A marketing team specifies target audience, tone, and length, resulting in a draft they can actually use.
Try It Yourself: “Write a 400-word article aimed at HR directors about improving employee engagement through flexible work policies.”
Q – Question Answering
Definition: Fact-based, contextual responses to queries.
Deeper Dive: Works from trained knowledge plus your provided context.
In Action: A manager checks “What are the top 5 accessibility guidelines for web design?” during a meeting.
Try It Yourself: “List the top 5 accessibility best practices for designing an e-commerce website.”
R – Roleplay Scenarios
Definition: Simulating conversations for practice.
Deeper Dive: Useful for sales training, customer service, or interviews.
In Action: A support team practises difficult complaint handling with AI roleplay.
Try It Yourself: “Roleplay as an unhappy customer who received the wrong order. I’ll play the support agent.”
S – Script Writing
Definition: Drafting scripts for video, audio, or presentations.
Deeper Dive: Tailored to time length and tone.
In Action: A start-up founder gets a 2-minute product pitch script.
Try It Yourself: “Write a 90-second upbeat product launch script for a new eco-friendly water bottle.”
T – Task Automation
Definition: Automating repetitive tasks through integrations.
Deeper Dive: Connects to CRMs, spreadsheets, or workflow tools.
In Action: A marketing team auto-generates follow-up emails after webinars.
Try It Yourself: “Draft a friendly follow-up email thanking attendees for joining our ‘Future of AI’ webinar and linking to the recording.”
U – User Persona Development
Definition: Creating fictional profiles of target audiences.
Deeper Dive: Combines demographics and psychographics for sharper strategy.
In Action: A campaign team builds personas to refine messaging.
Try It Yourself: “Create a detailed user persona for a 35-year-old small business owner interested in adopting AI tools.”
V – Visual Description
Definition: Writing detailed descriptions of images.
Deeper Dive: Useful for alt text, briefs, and storytelling.
In Action: A museum produces vivid alt text for online exhibits.
Try It Yourself: “Write a vivid description of this image that could be used as alt text for visually impaired visitors.”
W – Website Copywriting
Definition: Producing persuasive, SEO-friendly web content.
Deeper Dive: ChatGPT can generate landing pages, FAQs, and product descriptions.
In Action: A retailer launches a product line with AI-generated category copy, reviewed by editors.
Try It Yourself: “Write an SEO-friendly landing page for a luxury handmade candle brand.”
X – XML/JSON Structuring
Definition: Formatting data into structured outputs.
Deeper Dive: Saves time for technical teams by producing code-ready formats.
In Action: A developer reformats product specs into JSON for an e-commerce API.
Try It Yourself: “Convert this list of products with prices into a valid JSON array.”
Y – YouTube Content Ideas
Definition: Generating ideas, scripts, and optimisation tips for video.
Deeper Dive: Suggests topics, keywords, and outlines for targeted audiences.
In Action: A coach plans 12 months of weekly videos in one afternoon.
Try It Yourself: “Suggest 20 YouTube video ideas for a beginner-friendly home fitness channel.”
Z – Zero-Shot Learning
Definition: Handling tasks without prior training.
Deeper Dive: ChatGPT uses general knowledge to take on new formats or topics.
In Action: A user asks for a grant proposal outline — ChatGPT delivers despite no prior “training” on the request.
Try It Yourself: “Write a structured outline for a grant proposal for a community garden project.”
Final Thoughts
ChatGPT is more than a chat tool — it’s a productivity engine. Used well, it saves time, sparks ideas, and helps people focus on higher-value work.
The trick isn’t just knowing what ChatGPT can do, but asking the right questions and building it into your workflow.
This A–Z is a starting point. The rest comes from practice, testing, and putting your Customer Glasses on.