Automating multi-step research, data analysis, and project building has always required juggling multiple apps, scripts, and manual effort. Perplexity Labs, the latest addition to Perplexity AI’s platform, changes that equation by offering a one-stop workspace designed to handle everything from report writing to interactive app development—all powered by advanced AI models and a suite of integrated tools.

How Perplexity Labs Streamlines Complex Workflows

Perplexity Labs stands out by investing more time and computational power into each request, compared to standard chatbots or quick-answer AI tools. This approach allows Labs to tackle deeper, more involved tasks such as generating dynamic reports, building dashboards, writing and executing code, and creating interactive spreadsheets or mini web apps.

Unlike traditional AI chatbots that focus on concise answers, Labs acts as a project hub. It pulls together web search, code execution, data visualization, and asset organization in a single environment. This means users can initiate a research project, request a data-driven dashboard, or ask for a custom app—all without switching between different tools or platforms.

Key Features and Capabilities

  • Automated research and report generation with source citations.
  • Code execution for data processing, analysis, or app logic.
  • Creation of interactive dashboards and spreadsheets, including charts, graphs, and filters.
  • Mini web app development, such as calculators or data explorers.
  • All generated files—documents, code, images, and data—are stored and organized in a dedicated Assets tab for easy access and download.

Labs is currently available to Perplexity Pro subscribers on the web, iOS, and Android, with Mac and Windows support planned.

Method 1: Building a Dynamic Report with Visuals and Data

Perplexity Labs excels at transforming a research prompt into a comprehensive report, complete with structured sections, charts, images, and source references.

Step 1: Start a new Labs project and enter your research question or topic. For example, request an analysis of trends in renewable energy investments over the last decade.

Step 2: Labs automatically conducts multiple web searches, gathers data from credible sources, and organizes the findings. It breaks the research into subtasks, such as summarizing key events, extracting statistics, and identifying trends.

Step 3: The AI generates visual assets like line graphs, bar charts, or infographics to illustrate the data. These visuals are inserted directly into the report to support the written analysis.

Step 4: All sources are cited, and the full report—along with any images or charts—is saved in the Assets tab. You can export the report as a PDF, Word document, markdown file, or even as a shareable Perplexity page.

Method 2: Creating Interactive Spreadsheets and Dashboards

Labs can generate spreadsheets or dashboards tailored to specific analytical tasks—such as budget tracking, performance monitoring, or puzzle solving—without requiring manual setup in Excel or Google Sheets.

Step 1: Specify the type of spreadsheet or dashboard you want. For example, ask Labs to build an interactive dashboard showing NASDAQ performance from 1971 to present, with filters for time periods and scale types.

Step 2: Labs fetches relevant data, structures it into tables, and creates the requested visualizations. Drop-down menus and filters are built in for user-driven exploration.

Step 3: Download the finished spreadsheet or dashboard, or interact with it directly in the Labs interface. All project files remain accessible in the Assets tab for future use or sharing.

Method 3: Developing Mini Web Apps and Automating Workflows

For users who need more than static reports or spreadsheets, Labs supports quick development of simple web applications—such as calculators, data explorers, or scheduling tools—without requiring external development environments.

Step 1: Describe the functionality you need. For example, request a web app that displays world time zones with a drop-down selector for cities.

Step 2: Labs writes and executes the necessary code, builds the app interface, and connects it to real-time data if required.

Step 3: Test the app in the Labs workspace, make adjustments by refining your prompt, and download or share the finished application as needed.

Time and Efficiency Gains

Traditional workflows for research, reporting, and dashboard creation often require hours of manual work, data gathering, formatting, and troubleshooting. Perplexity Labs compresses these multi-step processes into a single workflow, typically completing complex tasks in about 10 minutes. This speed comes from Labs’ ability to run multiple subtasks in parallel—searching, analyzing, coding, and visualizing—while keeping everything organized in one place.

Users no longer need to switch between browser tabs, spreadsheet apps, and code editors. Instead, Labs provides a unified workspace that saves time, reduces context switching, and keeps every asset tied to its source project.

Organizing and Accessing Your Work

Every artifact created in Labs—whether it’s a chart, code file, spreadsheet, or report—is saved in a central Assets tab within the project. This structure simplifies tracking project components, downloading files, or sharing results with collaborators. There’s no need to dig through folders or manage separate export menus.

Expanding Beyond Search: Perplexity’s Broader Ecosystem

Labs signals Perplexity’s shift from a pure AI search engine to a broader productivity platform. With features like internal knowledge search, enterprise file integration, and ongoing development of a custom web browser (Comet), Perplexity is positioning itself as a competitor to tools like Excel, Notion, and low-code app builders. The goal is to offer a full ecosystem for research, analysis, and project delivery—powered by AI and accessible from a single account.

Perplexity Labs dramatically reduces the friction of building reports, dashboards, and apps by automating research and asset creation. This shift allows users to focus on ideas and strategy, while the AI handles the heavy lifting in minutes instead of hours.