How to Summarise a PDF with AI — Research Papers, Reports, Books
Summarising a PDF starts with a compatible, text-based file up to 50 MB and 1,000 pages. Image-only scans need OCR before upload. Review the Privacy Policy for storage, deletion, and third-party AI provider terms.
- · A compatible browser or iOS device
- · The Summio Web workspace or iOS app
- · A compatible, text-based PDF
Save the PDF on your device
Download the PDF from a source you are permitted to use and save it where your browser or iOS file picker can access it. Confirm that the document contains selectable text before upload.
Open Summio, choose PDF
Open the Summio Web workspace or iOS app, add a PDF source, and choose a compatible text-based file up to 50 MB and 1,000 pages. Run OCR on image-only scans first.
Pick a depth
Use short for triage, medium for a broader overview, and detailed for study. When the source structure is available, the summary can retain distinctions such as abstract, methodology, results, and limitations.
Chat with the summary and available document context
After reading, ask: "What's the sample size?", "Where are the limitations discussed?", "Is the dataset publicly available?". Citations point to relevant sections or passages when available.
Save to a collection
Save related summaries to a thematic collection. Use the collection and knowledge features currently available for your account, and verify important findings against each original paper.
- Image-only scans need OCR before upload; confirm that the converted PDF contains selectable text.
- Each PDF must be no larger than 50 MB and no longer than 1,000 pages.
- Review the Privacy Policy before uploading sensitive material. It explains storage, deletion, retention, and third-party AI provider terms.
Common questions
Are scanned PDFs supported?
Image-only scans need OCR before upload so the resulting PDF contains selectable text. The 50 MB and 1,000-page limits still apply.
How private is my upload?
Review the Privacy Policy for how uploads are stored, processed, deleted, and handled by third-party AI providers. Follow your organisation's policy before uploading sensitive material.
Is there a file-size limit?
The current limit is 50 MB and 1,000 pages per PDF. The file must be a compatible, text-based PDF; image-only scans need OCR first.
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