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Ask better questions · Lesson 7 of 16

Get ChatGPT Answers as Lists, Tables or Steps

ChatGPT can answer as a checklist, a table, numbered steps or a short summary. The trick: add the shape you want at the end of your question.

FREE LESSON
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English captions available in the player. Prefer reading? Follow the written lesson below.

THE WRITTEN LESSONFollow along at your pace

ChatGPT can answer in different shapes: a paragraph, a checklist, a table or numbered steps. You just have to ask. In this lesson you plan a camping weekend and make a cup of tea, and you learn where to put the shape in your question.

Ask for a checklist

Start with a camping weekend. In the message box, type this request:

Type this
Give me a packing list for a weekend camping trip, as a checklist.

Those last three words, “as a checklist,” tell ChatGPT the shape you want. The start of the request says what you need, and the end says how the answer should look. Click the round arrow button on the right to send it.

The ChatGPT home screen with the heading What's on your mind today? and the request typed in the message box: Give me a packing list for a weekend camping trip, as a checklist. The mouse pointer rests on the round blue arrow button at the right end of the box.(opens the full-size picture)
The last three words, as a checklist, set the shape of the answer.

ChatGPT answers with a checklist called Weekend Camping Packing Checklist. It is grouped into sections, such as Shelter & Sleeping, Clothing, and Food & Cooking. Each item has its own box, so it is easy to tick things off as you pack.

ChatGPT's answer as a checklist in three sections: Shelter & Sleeping, Clothing, and Food & Cooking. Each item, such as Tent, poles & stakes, Sleeping bag and Rain jacket, has an empty round box beside it, and each section shows a count such as 0/6. A label says Tick them off.(opens the full-size picture)
One box per item, grouped into sections.

Change the shape without starting over

Now change the shape of that same answer. You don’t need to start over or type the list again. Reply in the same chat:

Then reply
Show the same list as a table with two columns: item, and why I need it.

ChatGPT turns the checklist into a table. The items sit in the Item column, and the reason for each one sits next to it under Why I need it. For example, Tent, poles & stakes sits next to “Shelter from weather and insects.” Your reply named the two columns, and ChatGPT used them as the headings.

A table titled Weekend Camping Packing List with two columns, Item and Why I need it. The column headings are highlighted, with a label that says Same items, new shape. The first rows pair Tent, poles & stakes with Shelter from weather and insects, and Sleeping bag with Stay warm at night.(opens the full-size picture)
One short reply turned the checklist into a table.

Ask for numbered steps

For anything you do in order, ask for numbered steps. Making tea is a new topic, so start a new chat and type:

In a new chat
Explain how to make a cup of tea in five numbered steps.

You get exactly five short steps, in the right order: boil water in a kettle, put a tea bag in a cup, pour in the hot water, let the tea steep, then add milk, sugar or honey if you like.

The question Explain how to make a cup of tea in five numbered steps, in a light blue bubble, and ChatGPT's answer: five numbered steps, from Boil water in a kettle to Add milk, sugar, or honey if you like, stir, and enjoy. The numbers 1 to 5 are outlined, with a label that says In the right order.(opens the full-size picture)
Numbered steps suit anything you do in order.

Pick the shape that fits the job

Each shape suits a different kind of task:

  • A checklist, for things to pack or buy.
  • A table, to compare things.
  • Numbered steps, for how to do something.
  • A short summary, in three bullet points.
The heading Shapes you can ask for above four cards. Checklist: to pack or buy. Table: to compare things. Numbered steps: to do something. Summary: in three bullets.(opens the full-size picture)
Match the shape to the job.

Add the shape at the end of your question

Keep your question as it is and add the shape at the end: “as a checklist,” “as a table” or “in five steps.” Only the ending changes.

The heading The trick above a card that reads Give me a packing list for a weekend camping trip, with the words in five steps at its end. Below it are three cards, Checklist, Table and Five steps, and a banner that says Change your mind? Ask for a new shape.(opens the full-size picture)
Keep the question and swap the ending.

Changed your mind? Ask for a new shape

You are not stuck with the first shape. If you change your mind, reply and ask for a new one, the way the packing list became a table. There is no need to start over.

YOUR TURN

In the next lesson, you will use ChatGPT for real writing, from messages and emails to fixing mistakes: Write emails and messages with ChatGPT.

Read the full video transcript

In this lesson, you'll learn to ask for a shape. ChatGPT can answer as a paragraph, a checklist, a table, or numbered steps. You just have to ask.

Let's plan a camping weekend. Give me a packing list for a weekend camping trip, as a checklist. Those last three words, as a checklist, tell ChatGPT the shape you want.

And here it is: a checklist, grouped into sections, like shelter, clothing, and food. Each item has its own box, so it's easy to tick off as you pack.

Now let's change the shape, without starting over. Show the same list as a table with two columns: item, and why I need it. Same items, new shape.

For anything you do in order, ask for numbered steps. In a new chat: Explain how to make a cup of tea in five numbered steps. And you get exactly five short steps, in the right order.

Here are some shapes you can ask for. A checklist, for things to pack or buy. A table, to compare things. Numbered steps, for how to do something. Or a short summary, in three bullet points.

The trick is simple. Add the shape at the end of your question: as a checklist, as a table, in five steps. And if you change your mind, just ask for a new shape.

So remember: choose the shape of the answer, add it at the end of your question, and change it any time. Before the next lesson, ask for the same answer in two different shapes. Next, we'll use ChatGPT for real writing: messages, emails, and fixing mistakes.