Tools

Aide includes a set of built-in tools that open in the right-side panel alongside your chat. Use them without leaving the conversation — ask the AI a question and use a tool at the same time.

Accessing Tools

Tools are available from two places:

• The tools menu in the input bar (bottom of the chat)
• The quick-action buttons on the welcome screen (Board, Calculator, Document)

Click any tool to open it in the right panel. The chat remains active on the left.

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Calculator

A functional calculator for quick arithmetic and more.

How to open: Click the Calculator button from the welcome screen or tools menu.

What it does:

• Basic arithmetic — addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
• Clear and reset controls
• Results update as you type

Best for: Maths problems, checking calculations mid-conversation, working through equations while chatting with the AI about a topic.

Tip

Ask the AI to explain a calculation step by step in the chat, then use the calculator to work through it yourself in the panel beside it.

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Drawing Board (Notepad)

A freehand canvas for sketching, diagrams, and visual notes.

How to open: Click the Board button from the welcome screen or tools menu.

What it does:

• Freehand drawing with a brush tool
• Eraser to remove strokes
• Clear canvas to start fresh
• ReactSketchCanvas-powered smooth drawing

Best for: Sketching diagrams while discussing concepts, drawing mind maps, visualising ideas, or taking rough visual notes.

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Text-to-Speech (Read Aloud)

Have any AI response read aloud to you using text-to-speech.

How to use:

1. Hover over any AI message in the chat.
2. Click the Read Aloud button.
3. The response is played as audio.
4. Click Stop to end playback.

Best for: Listening to long explanations, revising while doing other things, or when reading fatigue sets in.

Note

Read Aloud requires the Aide_Chat_Speaker feature to be enabled for your organization. Contact your administrator if the button is not visible.

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Voice Input

Dictate your message instead of typing it.

How to use:

1. Click the microphone icon in the input bar.
2. Speak your message.
3. Your speech is transcribed into the input field.
4. Review the text and click Send.

Best for: Hands-free input, longer prompts that would take time to type, or when typing is inconvenient.

Tip

Voice input transcribes what you say into text — it’s different from the Voice Assistant which has a full back-and-forth spoken conversation. Use voice input when you just want to dictate a single message.

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Using Tools Alongside Chat

All tools open in the right panel while the chat stays active on the left. You can:

• Ask the AI a question in chat and use the calculator simultaneously
• Sketch a diagram on the board while the AI explains a concept
• Have a response read aloud while you sketch notes on the board

Close any tool by clicking the X in the panel — the chat area returns to full width.