# Transformations - Batch Processing Your Sources Transformations apply the same analysis to multiple sources at once. Instead of asking the same question repeatedly, define a template and run it across your content. --- ## When to Use Transformations | Use Transformations When | Use Chat Instead When | |-------------------------|----------------------| | Same analysis on many sources | One-off questions | | Consistent output format needed | Exploratory conversation | | Batch processing | Follow-up questions needed | | Creating structured notes | Context changes between questions | **Example**: You have 10 papers and want a summary of each. Transformation does it in one operation. --- ## Quick Start: Your First Transformation ``` 1. Go to your notebook 2. Click "Transformations" in navigation 3. Select a built-in template (e.g., "Summary") 4. Select sources to transform 5. Click "Apply" 6. Wait for processing 7. New notes appear automatically ``` --- ## Built-in Transformations Open Notebook includes ready-to-use templates: ### Summary ``` What it does: Creates a 200-300 word overview Output: Key points, main arguments, conclusions Best for: Quick reference, getting the gist ``` ### Key Concepts ``` What it does: Extracts main ideas and terminology Output: List of concepts with explanations Best for: Learning new topics, building vocabulary ``` ### Methodology ``` What it does: Extracts research approach Output: How the study was conducted Best for: Academic papers, research review ``` ### Takeaways ``` What it does: Extracts actionable insights Output: What you should do with this information Best for: Business documents, practical guides ``` ### Questions ``` What it does: Generates questions the source raises Output: Open questions, gaps, follow-up research Best for: Literature review, research planning ``` --- ## Creating Custom Transformations ### Step-by-Step ``` 1. Go to "Transformations" page 2. Click "Create New" 3. Enter a name: "Academic Paper Analysis" 4. Write your prompt template: "Analyze this academic paper and extract: 1. **Research Question**: What problem does this address? 2. **Hypothesis**: What did they predict? 3. **Methodology**: How did they test it? 4. **Key Findings**: What did they discover? (numbered list) 5. **Limitations**: What caveats do the authors mention? 6. **Future Work**: What do they suggest next? Be specific and cite page numbers where possible." 5. Click "Save" 6. Your transformation appears in the list ``` ### Prompt Template Tips **Be specific about format:** ``` Good: "List 5 key points as bullet points" Bad: "What are the key points?" ``` **Request structure:** ``` Good: "Create sections for: Summary, Methods, Results" Bad: "Tell me about this paper" ``` **Ask for citations:** ``` Good: "Cite page numbers for each claim" Bad: (no citation request) ``` **Set length expectations:** ``` Good: "In 200-300 words, summarize..." Bad: "Summarize this" ``` --- ## Applying Transformations ### To a Single Source ``` 1. In Sources panel, click source menu (⋮) 2. Select "Transform" 3. Choose transformation template 4. Click "Apply" 5. Note appears when done ``` ### To Multiple Sources (Batch) ``` 1. Go to Transformations page 2. Select your template 3. Check multiple sources 4. Click "Apply to Selected" 5. Processing runs in parallel 6. One note per source created ``` ### Processing Time | Sources | Typical Time | |---------|--------------| | 1 source | 30 seconds - 1 minute | | 5 sources | 2-3 minutes | | 10 sources | 4-5 minutes | | 20+ sources | 8-10 minutes | Processing runs in background. You can continue working. --- ## Transformation Examples ### Literature Review Template ``` Name: Literature Review Entry Prompt: "For this research paper, create a literature review entry: **Citation**: [Author(s), Year, Title, Journal] **Research Question**: What problem is addressed? **Methodology**: What approach was used? **Sample**: What population/data was studied? **Key Findings**: 1. [Finding with page citation] 2. [Finding with page citation] 3. [Finding with page citation] **Strengths**: What did this study do well? **Limitations**: What are the gaps? **Relevance**: How does this connect to my research? Keep each section to 2-3 sentences." ``` ### Meeting Notes Template ``` Name: Meeting Summary Prompt: "From this meeting transcript, extract: **Attendees**: Who was present **Date/Time**: When it occurred **Key Decisions**: What was decided (numbered) **Action Items**: - [ ] Task (Owner, Due Date) **Open Questions**: Unresolved issues **Next Steps**: What happens next Format as clear, scannable notes." ``` ### Competitor Analysis Template ``` Name: Competitor Analysis Prompt: "Analyze this company/product document: **Company**: Name and overview **Products/Services**: What they offer **Target Market**: Who they serve **Pricing**: If available **Strengths**: Competitive advantages **Weaknesses**: Gaps or limitations **Opportunities**: How we compare **Threats**: What they do better Be objective and cite specific details." ``` ### Technical Documentation Template ``` Name: API Documentation Summary Prompt: "Extract from this technical document: **Overview**: What does this do? (1-2 sentences) **Authentication**: How to authenticate **Key Endpoints**: - Endpoint 1: [method] [path] - [purpose] - Endpoint 2: ... **Common Parameters**: Frequently used params **Rate Limits**: If mentioned **Error Codes**: Key error responses **Example Usage**: Simple code example if possible Keep technical but concise." ``` --- ## Managing Transformations ### Edit a Transformation ``` 1. Go to Transformations page 2. Find your template 3. Click "Edit" 4. Modify the prompt 5. Click "Save" ``` ### Delete a Transformation ``` 1. Go to Transformations page 2. Find the template 3. Click "Delete" 4. Confirm ``` ### Reorder/Organize Built-in transformations appear first, then custom ones alphabetically. --- ## Transformation Output ### Where Results Go - Each source produces one note - Notes appear in your notebook's Notes panel - Notes are tagged with transformation name - Original source is linked ### Note Naming ``` Default: "[Transformation Name] - [Source Title]" Example: "Summary - Research Paper 2025.pdf" ``` ### Editing Output ``` 1. Click the generated note 2. Click "Edit" 3. Refine the content 4. Save ``` --- ## Best Practices ### Template Design 1. **Start specific** - Vague prompts give vague results 2. **Use formatting** - Headings, bullets, numbered lists 3. **Request citations** - Make results verifiable 4. **Set length** - Prevent overly long or short output 5. **Test first** - Run on one source before batch ### Source Selection 1. **Similar content** - Same transformation on similar sources 2. **Reasonable size** - Very long sources may need splitting 3. **Processed status** - Ensure sources are fully processed ### Quality Control 1. **Review samples** - Check first few outputs before trusting batch 2. **Edit as needed** - Transformations are starting points 3. **Iterate prompts** - Refine based on results --- ## Common Issues ### Generic Output **Problem**: Results are too vague **Solution**: Make prompt more specific, add format requirements ### Missing Information **Problem**: Key details not extracted **Solution**: Explicitly ask for what you need in prompt ### Inconsistent Format **Problem**: Each note looks different **Solution**: Add clear formatting instructions to prompt ### Too Long/Short **Problem**: Output doesn't match expectations **Solution**: Specify word count or section lengths ### Processing Fails **Problem**: Transformation doesn't complete **Solution**: - Check source is processed - Try shorter/simpler prompt - Process sources individually --- ## Transformations vs. Chat vs. Ask | Feature | Transformations | Chat | Ask | |---------|----------------|------|-----| | **Input** | Predefined template | Your questions | Your question | | **Scope** | One source at a time | Selected sources | Auto-searched | | **Output** | Structured note | Conversation | Comprehensive answer | | **Best for** | Batch processing | Exploration | One-shot answers | | **Follow-up** | Run again | Ask more | New query | --- ## Summary ``` Transformations = Batch AI Processing How to use: 1. Define template (or use built-in) 2. Select sources 3. Apply transformation 4. Get structured notes When to use: - Same analysis on many sources - Consistent output needed - Building structured knowledge base - Saving time on repetitive tasks Tips: - Be specific in prompts - Request formatting - Test before batch - Edit output as needed ``` Transformations turn repetitive analysis into one-click operations. Define once, apply many times.