Files & Formats
Uploads, exports, and what Threader does with your data.
File Uploads
Most Threader tools accept document uploads to improve analysis quality. Uploading briefs, research reports, or competitor analysis helps the AI ground its outputs in your specific context.
Supported Upload Formats
| Format | Extension | What It's For |
|---|---|---|
| Word Documents | .docx | Client briefs, research reports, strategy documents |
| PDF Files | Research papers, presentations, exported reports | |
| Text Files | .txt | Plain text notes, extracted transcripts |
| Excel Files | .xlsx, .xls | Market data, brand tracking, competitor analysis (selected tools only) |
File Size Limits
- Per file: 10MB maximum
- Total uploads per project: 50MB combined
- Number of files: Up to 5 files per tool session
File Processing: When you upload a document, Threader extracts the text content and analyses it alongside your manual inputs. The AI identifies relevant data points like brand names, objectives, constraints, research findings, and competitive insights. Your original files remain private and are never shared.
What Threader Extracts
Different tools look for different information in your uploads:
The Story
- Client and brand names
- Stated objectives and goals
- Business context and challenges
- Budget and timeline constraints
- Research findings and data points
- Competitor mentions
The Audience
- Audience descriptions and demographics
- Consumer research insights
- Behavioural patterns
- Purchase drivers and barriers
- Segment definitions
The Message
- Competitive landscape information
- Brand positioning statements
- Market share data
- Category insights
- Differentiators and USPs
The Landscape
- Competitor names and brands
- Market positioning
- Messaging themes
- Product/service features
- Campaign examples
Best Practice: Upload structured documents (briefs, research reports) rather than loose notes. The more organised your input, the better Threader can extract relevant information. Include context-don't just upload raw data tables without explanation.
Export Formats
Every Threader tool lets you export your work in multiple formats for presentations, reports, and client deliverables.
Available Export Formats
| Format | Best For | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Word (.docx) | Written reports, pitch documents, detailed briefs | All text outputs, tables, and structured content |
| PowerPoint (.pptx) | Client presentations, comms plans (especially from The Frame) | Formatted slides with strategic outputs and visual layouts |
| Client presentations, print-ready documents | Formatted layouts, charts (where applicable) | |
| Plain Text (.txt) | Quick copy-paste, importing into other tools | Unformatted text outputs only |
Visual Exports
Tools with visual components (The Audience, The Message) offer additional export options:
- PNG Images: High-resolution exports of lens maps, positioning charts, and visualisations
- SVG Files: Vector graphics for editing in design tools (selected visualisations)
Selective Export
Most export modals let you choose exactly what to include. Toggle sections on or off:
- Workspace logo (if uploaded)
- Problem reframe and strategic outputs
- Client brief and original inputs
- Project constraints and context
- Tool-specific sections (audience insights, positioning statements, communications frameworks)
Logo options: When exporting, you can choose to include or exclude your workspace logo. This lets you create branded client deliverables or clean internal documents.
Export Best Practices
For Client Presentations
Use PowerPoint exports for comms plans (especially from The Frame). Use PDF exports for polished, professional deliverables that preserve formatting across all devices.
For Internal Collaboration
Use Word documents when you need teammates to comment, edit, or iterate on outputs.
For Slide Decks
Export visualisations as PNG images and paste them into PowerPoint, Keynote, or Google Slides. Export text as plain text for easy copying into speaker notes.
For Archiving
Save PDF versions for long-term storage and human readability. PDFs ensure you can reference projects years from now without compatibility issues.
Free Roam Mode Features
Send to Existing Pitch
When working in Free Roam mode, you can send your outputs to an existing pitch project. Look for the "Send to Pitch" button in the tool interface.
How it works:
- Complete your work in Free Roam mode (any tool)
- Click "Send to Pitch" instead of just saving to your library
- Select which existing pitch project should receive this data
- The content integrates with that pitch's cascade
Use case: You want to explore alternative audience definitions without disrupting your main pitch. Work in Free Roam on The Audience, then send the best option to your active pitch project.
Note: "Send to Pitch" only appears in Free Roam mode. In Cascade Mode, your work automatically saves to the active pitch when you click "Lock & Continue".
File Privacy & Security
Your uploaded files and exported data are private:
- Workspace isolation: Only users in your workspace can access your files
- Encrypted storage: Files are encrypted at rest and in transit
- No AI training: Your documents are never used to train AI models
- Deletion: Deleting a project removes all associated files permanently
See our Privacy & Security page for detailed information.
Troubleshooting
Upload Fails or Times Out
- Check file size (max 10MB per file)
- Ensure file isn't corrupted or password-protected
- Try converting PDF to .docx if extraction fails
- Check your internet connection
Text Not Extracting Properly
- Scanned PDFs need OCR before upload (use Adobe Acrobat or similar)
- Image-heavy documents may extract poorly-use text-based formats where possible
- Complex tables in Word docs might need simplification
Export Formatting Issues
- Word exports use standard styles-adjust formatting in Word after download
- PNG images are 1920px wide by default-request higher resolution if needed
- Special characters may render differently across systems-test on target platform
Still stuck? Check our Troubleshooting guide or contact support.