ChatGPT Guide
ChatGPT can support general questions, writing, brainstorming, summarizing, file review, spreadsheet analysis, research, image work, custom GPTs, apps, tasks, study support, and coding support with Codex.
This page is a quick reference, not a full tutorial. Use OpenAI documentation for current product details, limits, and instructions.
Learn with OpenAI Academy
https://academy.openai.com/ is a free learning hub from OpenAI with guides, tutorials, videos, and events on AI fundamentals, using ChatGPT, prompt writing, files and data, and AI-supported workflows.
Go to https://academy.openai.com/ .
Select Sign in with ChatGPT.
If prompted, sign in using your UT Austin ChatGPT account with your EID email address:
yourEID@eid.utexas.edu
Quick Links
ChatGPT sign-in: https://chatgpt.com/auth/login
ChatGPT Help Center: https://help.openai.com/en/collections/3742473-chatgpt
ChatGPT capabilities overview: https://help.openai.com/en/articles/9260256-chatgpt-capabilities-overview
Projects in ChatGPT: https://help.openai.com/en/articles/10169521-using-projects-in-chatgpt
GPTs in ChatGPT: https://help.openai.com/en/articles/8554407-gpts-in-chatgpt
Creating and editing GPTs: https://help.openai.com/en/articles/8554397-creating-and-editing-gpts
File uploads FAQ: https://help.openai.com/en/articles/8555545-file-uploads-faq
Data analysis with ChatGPT: https://help.openai.com/en/articles/8437071-data-analysis-with-chatgpt
Apps in ChatGPT: https://help.openai.com/en/articles/11487775-apps-in-chatgpt
Codex in ChatGPT: https://help.openai.com/en/articles/11369540-codex-in-chatgpt
Sign In To ChatGPT
Use your UT Austin ChatGPT account instead of a personal ChatGPT account.
Go to https://chatgpt.com/auth/login .
Enter your full UT EID email address in the email field, using the format
yourEID@eid.utexas.edu.Continue through the Microsoft login page.
Enter your UT EID credentials on the University of Texas at Austin authentication page.
Complete Duo multi-factor authentication if prompted.
After authentication, you should be redirected into the UT Austin ChatGPT environment.
If you land in a personal ChatGPT account, sign out, open a private or incognito browser window, and try again with your UT EID email address.
Feature Summary
Feature | Quick summary | Official documentation |
|---|---|---|
Projects | Keep related chats, files, and context together for a class, project, or workstream. | |
GPTs | Custom versions of ChatGPT for a specific task, audience, or workflow. | |
Skills / custom workflows | Reusable task support commonly built with GPTs, instructions, knowledge, capabilities, apps, or actions. | |
Search | Web-backed answers for current or source-dependent questions. | |
Deep research | Multi-step research that produces a structured, cited report. | |
File uploads | Work with documents, PDFs, spreadsheets, slides, and other files. | |
Data analysis | Inspect data, create tables or charts, and ask questions about spreadsheets. | |
Images | Create, edit, save, and manage images. | |
Study Mode | Learning-focused help for concepts, practice, and guided understanding. | |
Tasks | Scheduled or recurring prompts and reminders. | |
Apps | Connect ChatGPT to external services, files, search, sync, or actions when available. | |
Codex | Coding agent for code review, debugging, tests, and implementation work. |
Quick Ideas And Examples
Need | Small example | Feature to consider |
|---|---|---|
Study a concept | "Explain this concept, then give me three practice questions." | Study Mode |
Summarize a file | "Summarize this PDF for a busy reader and list the main open questions." | File uploads |
Check research direction | "Compare these sources and identify where they agree or disagree." | Search or deep research |
Work with a spreadsheet | "Review this spreadsheet and point out trends, missing values, and chart ideas." | Data analysis |
Draft course material | "Create three discussion questions from this reading for undergraduate students." | Projects or GPTs |
Draft staff communications | "Turn these notes into a short update with action items." | Projects |
Build a repeated workflow | "Create a reusable helper for this review process and ask me for missing context." | GPTs or apps |
Work with code | "Use Codex to explain this error, suggest a fix, and identify tests to run." | Codex |
Data Use And Acceptable Use
Before using ChatGPT with University data, review Responsible Use and the https://security.utexas.edu/iso-policies/cloud-services/decision-matrix#ai-services .
Quick reminders:
Do not paste sensitive, confidential, protected, unpublished, or personally identifiable University information unless the use is approved.
Do not use personal ChatGPT accounts for controlled or confidential University data.
Review output before using it in academic, operational, research, or public-facing work.
FAQ
Is ChatGPT at UT Austin the same as a personal ChatGPT account?
No. UT Austin Claude access is provided through a University-managed environment. Personal Claude accounts are not covered by the same University agreements.
Where should students start?
For learning support, start with Study Mode or a normal chat. Ask for explanations, examples, practice questions, or feedback, and follow course rules.
Where should faculty start?
For teaching support, try Projects for course context, GPTs for repeated workflows, and file uploads for reviewing drafts or source material.
Where should staff start?
For administrative work, try Projects for ongoing work, file uploads for long documents, and data analysis for spreadsheets.
Where should I start for coding?
Use Codex in ChatGPT for coding support and OpenAI's Codex documentation for current instructions.
Common Sign In And Other Issues
Issue | Start here |
|---|---|
Cannot sign in to ChatGPT | Make sure you are using your UT EID email address: yourEID@eid.utexas.edu. Try a private or incognito browser window if ChatGPT opens a personal account. |
ChatGPT shows an error message | |
ChatGPT file upload issue | |
ChatGPT feature is missing | Check ChatGPT Capabilities Overview and the ChatGPT Help Center. Some features depend on plan, workspace settings, role, or rollout timing. |
EID, Microsoft, or Duo authentication fails before ChatGPT loads | Contact the UT Help Desk at 512-475-9400, help@austin.utexas.edu, or https://ut.service-now.com/sp . |
Support
If you need help with... | Use this contact or page |
|---|---|
General AI Studio questions | |
EID, Duo, or UT login issue | 512-475-9400 or help@austin.utexas.edu |
Data classification or sensitive data | |
Product documentation |