Features

The data visualisation tool helps turn your data into clear, compelling stories, so you can focus more on insights and decision‑making.  

With it, you can:  

• Generate a wide range of charts: bar, line, pie, box plot, scatter, and heatmap 
• Build visuals from data in uploaded files (e.g. Excel, CSV) 
• Extract colour codes from images to create on-brand charts 
• Zoom in and explore generated charts 
• Export charts as images 

To get started, go to Val and open the Tools menu. 

See the Data Visualisation drop-down below for more information on how to use this feature. 

Create Knowledge collections to store curated reference material you want Val to use across multiple conversations and/or Personas. Upload style guides, procedures, and other trusted documents, then reuse them without uploading the same files each time. Knowledge content remains private to the uploader. 

How to use: 

• Read this Knowledge Quick Reference Guide (PDF 154 KB)
• Do not enter sensitive, confidential or personal information 

Create structured PowerPoint packs using RMIT Australia and Vietnam templates. Use this feature to quickly draft on-brand slides, workshop packs, and briefing decks. 

How to use: 

• Go to Tools on the chat input box 
• Toggle on ‘PowerPoint Slide Builder’ 
• Enter your prompt into the chat box to build your slide 

Example prompt:  

You are an expert slide designer. Create a clear, professional slide deck using the RMIT Australia template based on the following brief: 

• Purpose:  
• Audience:   
• Context:  
• Key message:  
• Content I must include: 
  • X 
  • X 

Tasks: 

1. Propose an overall structure (e.g. title and 4-8 main slides). 
2. For each slide, provide: 
   • Slide title 
   • 3-5 bullet points of content (short, concise) 
   • Suggested visual (e.g. bar chart) 
3. Highlight where data or visuals are important and what kind of data is needed. 
4. Use a practical, professional tone. 

Browse and attach files directly from OneDrive within Val, reducing downloads, duplicate files and manual steps. 

How to use:  

• Click ‘+’ on the chat input box. 
• Select the ‘OneDrive’ option 
• Find and upload your file 

Note: You may need to enable popups in your browser to use this feature. 

Val can now use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to convert text in scanned PDFs and image‑only documents into searchable text. This makes it easier to search, summarise and reuse information, and supports more accessible ways of working with image‑based content. 

How to use: 

• Click ‘+’ on the chat input box. 
• Select ‘Upload Files’ and choose a file to scan 
• Enter your prompt into the chat input box (e.g. summarise this document) 

Note: OCR will be automatically enabled for documents that contain no readable text, it can be manually enabled on each uploaded document by clicking on the document card shown in the input box after uploading, then selecting the 👁 icon in the right-hand panel where the document is displayed. 

Track changes you’ve made to your personas and knowledge bases over time. Compare versions, review updates and roll back if needed, while keeping a clear audit trail to support responsible AI use. 

How to use: 

• Navigate to the ‘My Studio’ area using the sidebar 
• Open one of your private Personas 
• Scroll down to the ‘Version History’ section and expand it to view each iteration of your Persona 

Note: Only changes made after June 2026 will appear in the version history area.

Bi-directional speech enables users to interact with Val naturally by speaking and listening, making it more accessible for those who find typing or reading challenging or prefer voice-based communication. 

How to use it: 

• Select the Persona you wish to use from the ‘Personas’ option from the left side bar or from the drop-down navigation bar. 
• Use the phone option (icon) on the message input box to start speaking to your persona. 
• Once you stop speaking, it will process your query and verbally respond. 

See the Val Bidirectional speech quick reference guide. 

Compare up to three personas in one conversation to determine which is best suited for your task. 

How to use it: To compare personas 

• Select ‘Features’ on the chat box 
• Select ‘Compare Personas’ 
• Select up to three personas to compare across 
• Enter your prompt and hit select 

The data visualisation tool helps turn your data into clear, compelling stories, so you can focus more on insights and decision‑making. 

With it, you can: 

• Generate a wide range of charts: bar, line, pie, box plot, scatter, and heatmap
• Build visuals from data in uploaded files (e.g. Excel, CSV)
• Extract colour codes from images to create on-brand charts
• Zoom in and explore generated charts
• Export charts as images

Watch a short demonstration to see the new capability in action

To get started, go to Val and open the Tools menu. 

How to use it: 

Prepare your data 

• Put your data in a table-like format (e.g. CSV, Excel, or a clear list in your message). 
• Make sure columns are clearly labelled (e.g. Year, Enrolments, College). 

Decide what you want to show 

• Trend over time → line chart 
• Compare categories (e.g. schools, campuses) → bar chart 
• Relationship between two variables (e.g. hours studied vs marks) → scatter plot 
• Parts of a whole (e.g. budget breakdown) → pie chart 
• Distribution (spread of marks) → box plot 
• Intensity/density (e.g. activity by time/day) → heatmap 

Describe the chart you want 

In your prompt, be explicit about: 

• Chart type: e.g. “line chart” 
• X-axis: e.g. “Years from 2018–2024” 
• Y-axis: e.g. “Number of students” 
• Grouping (if any): e.g. “Separate lines for each college” 

Example prompt you can reuse 

• “Create a line chart showing [metric] on the y-axis and [time] on the x-axis, with separate lines for [groups]. Here is the data: …” 
  

Interpreting the output 

• The tool returns a chart that is embedded directly into the interface (it may be represented by a placeholder that renders as an image).

You can then ask follow-up questions like: 

• “Add another series for 2026 projections” or “Change this to a stacked bar chart”. 

Val’s Document support feature lets you upload and interact with documents directly through the platform. You can: 

• Upload files: Attach documents such as PDFs, Word files, or text files for Val to review. 
• Summarise content: Ask Val to summarise key points or sections from your document. 
• Extract information: Request specific data, facts, or details from within your uploaded file. 
• Generate insights: Val can help analyse the content, answer questions, or help with editing and feedback. 

This feature makes it easier to work with complex or lengthy documents, streamlining your tasks and saving you time. 

How to use it: 

• Locate the + icon on the chat window 
• Select ‘upload files’ and select your file (PDF, Word, or text document) from your device. 

Once uploaded, you can: 

• Ask Val to summarise the document. 
• Request Val to extract specific information (e.g., “Find key statistics in this report”). 
• Get help with editing or feedback (e.g., grammar, structure, or clarity checks). 
• Pose questions about the content. 

Switching Val’s interface to dark mode reduces eye strain and improves comfort during extended use, especially in low-light conditions. 

How to use it: To turn dark mode on and off

• In the Val interface, click on your profile icon in the top righthand corner of the screen, then click Settings 
• Under General – WebUI Settings you will see Theme. Next to Theme, click the dropdown menu that says System  
• Select your preferred setting between Dark, OLED Dark or Light 

Val can generate images, diagrams and graphs based on prompts. 

How to use it: 

To upload images, files or documents to Val: 

• Click the + icon next to the text input box 
• Click Upload files to upload the file from your device 

To generate an image: 

• Write your prompt in Val 
• Wait for Val to respond (Val might generate code or simplified representations, this can be ignored) 
• Under Val's response, click the Generate Image icon 
• Wait a moment, then scroll back up to the top of Val's response and the generated image should appear 

To generate a diagram or graph: 

• Write your prompt in Val 
• Your graph or image should be generated automatically (if you receive an error message, click the Regenerate icon under Val's response) 
• Wait a moment and your generated diagram/graph should appear 

Upload or paste images into Val for analysis and interpretation. Val can: 

• Describe the contents of photos, diagrams, or other visuals 
• Extract text from images using Optical Character Recognition 
• Analyse graphs, tables, or handwritten notes for key details and trends 
• Provide feedback on visual assignments such as designs or artwork 

How to use it: 

• Either upload an image file or paste an image into the chat. 
• Click the ‘send message’ button. 

Val is a Progressive Web App (PWA), which allows it to be used almost like a regular app on your device, with its own icon and window. 

How to use it: Log in to Val and ask, “How do I install a PWA?” and Val will give you step-by-step instructions for your setup. Once installed: 

• Find the Val icon on your Home Screen (mobile) or Apps list/Start menu (desktop). 
• Tap or click the icon to open Val. 
• Log in with your RMIT credentials if prompted. 
• Use Val as usual, including asking questions and accessing documents. 

Access pre-made prompts designed to make your output more consistent, reduce mistakes, and facilitate collaboration. Topics include: 

• Image generation 
• Assignment feedback 
• Thesis generation 

How to use it: To access the library 

• Select ‘Prompt Library’ on the chat box 
• Select relevant topic 
• Add specifics requested 
• Hit the ‘send message’ button 

Val can help you further build out your prompt piece by piece. 

See the main Val information page for a list of all models available in Val. 

See the Val personas page for a list of all personas available in Val. 

Private AI personas can now be shared easily with a unique link, supporting collaboration and alignment within teams. When sharing, you control access and set up usage guidelines, with the option to add extra conditions. This feature makes it simple to reuse personas while ensuring everyone follows the correct protocols. 

Learn more about private personas and see the full list of available personas on the personas page. 

Web search is available directly through Val via the Val, Val Original, and Quizzical personas (more options coming soon). To use web search, select one of the available personas and opt in via: Tools > Search the Web. Use it to quickly find current, up-to-date information from the web, such as recent events, news, or topics that require the latest data, beyond what Val already knows.