ChatGPT's Deep Research feature has officially launched the PDF export function, providing users with a more convenient experience for sharing and archiving reports (https://openai.com). Users can now export research reports as formatted documents containing tables, images, linked citations, and sources by clicking the share icon and selecting "Download as PDF." This functionality is not only applicable to newly generated research reports but also supports exporting historical reports, significantly enhancing the practicality and enterprise applicability of Deep Research. AIbase observed that this update quickly sparked enthusiastic discussions among developers and professional users.
Feature Highlights: Complete Format Retention and One-Click Export
ChatGPT Deep Research's PDF export function converts complex research reports into professional-format PDF documents through one-click operation, retaining the integrity of tables, images, linked citations, and source information. Users simply need to click the share icon in the report interface, select "Download as PDF," and generate high-quality documents without manually adjusting formats or copying and pasting. AIbase learned that this function is available to Plus, Team, and Pro subscription users, and enterprise and education users are expected to gain access soon. Social media feedback indicates that users are particularly satisfied with the consistent formatting and verifiable citations (presented as clickable links), which greatly enhance the efficiency of report sharing and archiving.
Enterprise Optimization: Seamless Integration with Traditional Workflows
The technical implementation of this update goes far beyond routine convenience features, showcasing OpenAI's deep focus on enterprise customers. The PDF export function satisfies strict requirements for traceable citations in regulated industries such as law and finance by maintaining citation traceability. The AIbase editorial team analyzed that previously, Deep Research-generated reports (often containing hundreds of sources and reaching tens of thousands of words) were limited in their application in traditional document-driven workflows due to the lack of native export options, requiring users to manually format them. The PDF export function effectively bridges the gap between AI tools and traditional business communication, making research results easier to distribute to decision-makers. Official data shows that the backward compatibility of this function for new and old reports reflects OpenAI's long-term planning in product design.
Industry Background: Intensified Competition Among AI Research Assistants
The launch of ChatGPT Deep Research's PDF export function coincides with the intensification of competition among AI research assistant providers. Perplexity introduced the PDF export feature for its Deep Research function in February 2025, emphasizing rapid generation and multi-source processing; You.com's Advanced Research & Insights (ARI) agent claims to handle 3 to 10 times more sources than ChatGPT; and Anthropic added web search capabilities to Claude on May 7th, directly challenging the core functions of Deep Research. AIbase believes that OpenAI’s PDF export function enhances the workflow integration of Deep Research, giving it an edge in speed, comprehensiveness, and reliability. Social media discussions indicate that enterprises increasingly value seamless integration with existing processes when choosing AI tools, and PDF export is a critical step in this regard.
Corporate Transformation of AI Research Tools
ChatGPT Deep Research's PDF export function marks a significant shift from experimental technology to practical commercial applications. The AIbase editorial team predicts that OpenAI may further optimize export formats (such as supporting Markdown or Word) and expand enterprise-level functionalities (such as batch exports or cloud storage integration) to address competitive pressures from Perplexity and Anthropic. Meanwhile, social media users mentioned that expanding the feature to mobile platforms (iOS and Android) will be a key improvement direction in the next phase.