Canvas mode is useful!

You want to work on a draft without jumping between Gemini and another app.

A lot of people ask AI for a draft, copy it into Word, edit it, then go back to AI for more help. That works, but it can become messy.

Canvas gives you a separate workspace where you can create and refine documents, code, apps and slides, instead of keeping everything inside a normal chat. It is useful when you want to work on something over a few rounds rather than just get a quick answer.

ChatGPT has a similar feature, also called Canvas. It is not exactly the same, but the idea is close.

Canvas in 4 easy steps

Nova9 view

Canvas is usually one of the first features we would turn on when using AI to create drafts or edit longer text.

The reason is simple. It removes the need to keep two windows open and jump between Gemini and Word, Google Docs or another editor.

You can keep the work in one place, ask questions around it, and ask for changes to the Canvas directly.

Update:
Canvas as an option to choose manually is being phased out. If you choose model 5.3 or earlier you still have the feature but is it worth the downgrade?

ChatGPT now makes the decision for you. If you response is long enough, the model will give you a canvas.