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How to create files in Cassidy

Generate downloadable documents, decks, spreadsheets, and reports

Jake Rosenthal avatar
Written by Jake Rosenthal
Updated today

Cassidy gives you three ways to create files — from quick one-off documents in Chat to repeatable, branded deliverables in Workflows. Choose the approach that fits your need, then follow the steps below.

Choose your approach

Use Chat + Agent when…

  • You need a one-off file quickly (sales follow-up, competitor one-pager, summary, draft deck)

  • You want to iterate in conversation ("make it shorter," "add a comparison table," "change the tone")

Use a Workflow (Template) when…

  • You want consistent formatting every time (brand-safe, layout-safe)

  • You have a PowerPoint, Word, or other template with placeholders that get filled from data

  • You want to scale a deliverable (e.g., QBR decks for many accounts)

Use a Workflow (Data Analysis Mode) when…

  • The output varies too much for a strict template, but lives inside a larger, defined Workflow

  • You need the AI to generate or edit files programmatically (charts, slides, docs, PDFs) as one step in a multi-step automation

  • You want to build a reusable file-generation Workflow you can attach to Agents with the Call Workflow tool

    • *Advanced option: Build a file-creation Workflow (often using Data Analysis Mode), then attach it to one or more Agents with the Call Workflow tool — so any Agent can invoke it when a user asks for a file. For more information, see Call Workflow.

Create files in Chat (using an Agent)

Cassidy's Chat interface lets you generate downloadable files — like PDFs, Word documents, and spreadsheets — directly in a conversation with an Agent. When you describe what you need, the Agent automatically determines when to use the Data Analysis tool to build and return a polished, downloadable file.

*The walkthrough below uses a competitor one-pager as an example, but the same flow applies to any type of file — reports, proposals, decks, spreadsheets, and more.

  1. Start a new Chat: Click the "+ New Chat" button in the left sidebar or on the Home page.

  2. Select an Agent: Click the Agent dropdown in the text box to browse available Agents. Use the "All," "Default," "Custom," or "Folder" tabs to filter.

    • Default Agents (e.g., Data Analyst) are good for general file and data tasks but do not have your business context.

    • Custom Agents (e.g., a Sales Support Agent) are configured with Knowledge Base connections, Data Analysis tool, and domain-specific instructions — so outputs are tailored to your organization. You can attach reference files directly in the Agent's instructions (e.g., a branded template or battlecard) so the Agent uses them automatically whenever it creates a file.

      *Ensure Data Analysis tool has been added.
      ​

  3. Give the Agent additional context (optional): Click the "+" button in the bottom-left corner of the text box and select "Attach a File" or "Attach an Image" to upload supporting materials — call notes, spreadsheets, competitor docs, etc. This is helpful if any template or sample files are not already added as references to the Agent's instructions, like when using a default Agent.

  4. Confirm Data Analysis is enabled: Click the "Tools" button at the bottom of the text box to verify "Data Analysis" is toggled on. This is the tool that allows the Agent to generate downloadable files.

  5. Describe what you need: Type your request and click send. Be specific about the format, audience, length, sections, and tone. For example: "I just wrapped up a prospect call and they mentioned MyCase as a competitor. Create a one-pager PDF I can send them about why we are better. Use our competitor battlecard template."
    ​


    The Agent will automatically decide to use Data Analysis to produce the file — you do not need to tell it which tool to use.

  6. Wait for the file to generate: The Agent gathers relevant context, then builds the file. Progress indicators like "Loading files for analysis" and "Previewing PDF" appear as it works.

  7. Download the file: When complete, the file appears as a downloadable card at the bottom of the Agent's response. Click the download icon to save it.

  8. Iterate in follow-ups: Continue the conversation to refine the output. For example:

    • "Keep it to 1 page, skimmable, and non-combative."

    • "Add a 3-row comparison table: Feature / MyCase / Us."

    • "Add a 'Questions to ask' section for the next call."

    • "Write a short email to attach this one-pager to."

Create files in Workflows (Template approach)

For deliverables that need consistent formatting every time — like QBR decks, client proposals, or onboarding packets — use a Workflow with a template-based file creation action. You design the template once with placeholders, and the Workflow fills it with live data on every run.

File creation actions in Workflows

Cassidy offers several template and file creation actions you can use as steps in a Workflow:

How it works

You create a Workflow that accepts inputs, runs one or more AI-powered steps to gather and shape the content, then passes that content into a branded template. The output is a finished file ready to download or send.

The steps below outline the general pattern. Your Workflow may have more or fewer steps depending on where your data lives and how complex the deliverable is.

*The walkthrough below uses a Quarterly Business Review (QBR) deck as an example, but the same pattern applies to any template-based deliverable — proposals, onboarding packets, client reports, and more.

  1. Set up the trigger and inputs: Create a Workflow with a Manual Trigger (or a scheduled/webhook trigger). Add input fields for whatever information the template needs — e.g., a client name, date range, or file upload for usage data.

  2. Gather and shape the content: Add "Generate Text" or integration actions to look up account information (e.g., from HubSpot or Salesforce), summarize objectives, analyze product usage, pull a feedback quote, or suggest relevant items. Each step returns structured data that subsequent steps can reference.

  3. Generate structured outputs for the template: Use "Generate Text" actions with Structured Output Fields to return clean variables that map directly to your template placeholders — including arrays for loops and booleans for conditionals. For example, a QBR Workflow might produce variables like clientName, objectives (array), productsUsed (array), feedbackFound (boolean), and feedbackComment (text).

  4. Add a template action: Add the appropriate file creation action (e.g., "Create Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation from Template"). Upload your branded template, set an output name (e.g., "QBR – {clientName}"), and map your variables into the template fields. PowerPoint and Word templates support:

    • Text placeholders: {variableName} for dynamic content

    • Conditionals: {#if:condition} … {/if:condition} to show or hide content

    • Loops: {#loop:arrayName} … {/loop:arrayName} to repeat content for lists

    • Slide loops / slide conditionals: {%loop:arrayName} and {%if:conditionName} to repeat or conditionally show entire slides

    *For detailed information on how to set up these types of templates, review the full articles linked above.

  5. Run and download: Execute the Workflow. The generated file appears as a downloadable output in the results panel. You can also pass it to a subsequent action — like "Send Email" — to deliver it automatically.
    ​

Create files in Workflows (Data Analysis Mode)

When the output varies too much for a fixed template — or you need the AI to generate charts, format documents, or manipulate files programmatically as part of a larger automation — use Data Analysis Mode in a Workflow. This is also the approach to use when you want to build a reusable file-generation step that you can attach to Agents via the Call Workflow tool.

*If you just need a quick, ad-hoc file and are not building a multi-step automation, use Chat + Agent instead (see above).

  1. Add a "Generate Text" action to your Workflow and write a prompt describing the file you want — for example, "Using the analysis results and chart from the previous step, create a professional PowerPoint presentation with key findings and an executive summary."

  2. Enable Data Analysis Mode: In the "Advanced Model Settings" tab of the action, toggle on "Data Analysis Mode." This allows the AI to write and execute code to create, edit, or manipulate files.
    ​

  3. Reference inputs or previous outputs: Pass in files from the trigger (e.g., an uploaded spreadsheet) or reference outputs from earlier steps so the AI has the data it needs.

  4. Use the "Generated Files" output: When Data Analysis Mode is enabled, the action produces a "Generated Files" variable containing any files created during processing. Reference this variable in subsequent steps or download the files from the results panel.
    ​

  5. Chain multiple steps if needed: Use one Data Analysis step to analyze data and produce insights, then a second step to compile those insights into a formatted document or presentation.

*For a detailed walkthrough, see Analyzing data in Workflows.

Advanced: Attach a file-creation Workflow to Agents

You can build a Workflow whose sole job is to generate a specific type of file (using Data Analysis Mode or a template action), then attach that Workflow to one or more Agents using the Call Workflow tool. When a user asks the Agent for that deliverable, the Agent automatically runs the Workflow, collects the required inputs through conversation, and returns the finished file — combining the convenience of Chat with the power of Workflows.

*For setup instructions, see Call Workflow.

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