Most people use ChatGPT for the same three things: writing emails, answering questions and generating images. Maybe to vibe code an app or two. But after spending months testing new features and hidden ones, I've discovered a secret menu of useful tricks.
Some are built into ChatGPT, while others simply rely on prompts that most people never think of trying. Here are nine surprisingly useful things ChatGPT can do that go well beyond writing, coding and creating pictures.
1. Write in unusual fonts
Prompt: Write "Happy Birthday!" in five different Unicode font styles including cursive, bubble, gothic and small caps.
This is what got me testing theses features. After asking ChatGPT to respond “in cursive,” the AI obliged. If you’re like me, you assumed ChatGPT only outputs plain text, but it can generate Unicode characters that look like cursive, gothic lettering, bubble text, tiny superscript, double-struck text and more. This is great for social posts, invitations or text messages.
2. Turn handwritten notes into organized text
Prompt: Turn these handwritten notes into organized meeting notes with headings, bullet points and action items.
With this trick, you’re the one doing the cursive or handwriting. Just snap a picture of notebook pages or meeting notes and ChatGPT can organize everything into clean text. I do this all the time when I journal or handwrite notes in meetings. It can even identify action items, and read messy handwriting to turn it into something readable.
3. Convert a photo of a table into an Excel spreadsheet
Prompt: Convert this table into an editable spreadsheet. Keep all rows and columns exactly the same
This feels almost like magic. If someone sends you a photo of a printed table, expense report or schedule, ChatGPT can recreate it as a spreadsheet you can copy directly into Excel or Google Sheets. Bonus: it even works if you drew a table yourself.
4. Build Excel formulas from plain English
Prompt: I have names in column A and sales in column B. Write a formula that returns "Bonus" whenever sales exceed $5,000.
I don’t know about your Excel skills, but I can tell you I’m hopeless when it comes to them. I don’t know why my brain goes numb when I see all those empty squares, but luckily it doesn’t matter because ChatGPT can help. You don't have to remember VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP or nested IF statements anymore. Just describe what you're trying to do. You’ll look like a spreadsheet pro and get the work done much faster.
5. Pull a professional color palette from any image
Prompt: Analyze this image and create a professional five-color palette with HEX codes and explain why these colors work together.
Upload a room, logo, landscape or outfit and ChatGPT can identify the dominant colors, provide HEX codes and even suggest complementary colors. It’s surprisingly useful if you're decorating a room or creating a presentation. My husband uses it for landscaping all the time.
6. Explain complicated charts
Prompt: Explain what this chart actually means. Highlight the biggest trend, anything unusual and what someone should take away after looking at it.
Instead of staring at a confusing graph wondering what you're supposed to notice, upload it. ChatGPT can explain trends, identify outliers and summarize the important takeaway in plain English. I’ve even uploaded a busy calendar as a “chart” and asked ChatGPT questions as if it were a chart. “What percentage of July was spent at birthday parties and playdates?” If you know, you know.
7. Create printable puzzles and games
Prompt: Create a printable word search for 8-year-olds with a summer vacation theme and include the answer key.
There are so many possibilities with this one. You could create customized party favors, a gender reveal or a fun way to keep the kids occupied on a rainy afternoon. ChatGPT can generate word searches, crosswords, Sudoku puzzles, scavenger hunts and trivia games that you can print immediately.
8. Create QR codes
Prompt: Create a QR code that links to https://www.tomsguide.com and make sure it's easy to scan.
Most people don't realize ChatGPT can generate QR codes that point to websites, contact information or Wi-Fi credentials. They're handy for invitations, classrooms and small businesses.
You could even add one to your resume so potential employers can contact you immediately.
9. Create live checklists inside ChatGPT
Prompt: Create an interactive checklist for setting up a new Windows laptop. Let me check off each item as I finish it.
Don’t sleep on this one! I’ve found this to be useful when packing for trips or following multi-step tutorials. I even use it at work when I have a busy day and want to be sure nothing gets missed. Using this prompt or one like it, ChatGPT can create an interactive checklist you can check off as you go. It turns long projects into something much easier to manage.
Final thoughts
ChatGPT keeps adding capabilities, but not all of them are obvious. Without complicated prompts or a paid subscription, most of these tricks can be done in seconds. Give these a try and let me know which ones you try first. Share your thoughts in the comments.
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