Perplexity Labs Unveils New Tool to Generate Spreadsheets, Dashboards, and More for Pro Subscribers

Perplexity, the AI-driven search engine challenging Google, has launched Perplexity Labs, a new tool designed to generate reports, spreadsheets, dashboards, and more. This feature is available to subscribers of Perplexity’s $20-per-month Pro plan. The announcement was made on Thursday, marking another step in Perplexity’s expansion beyond its core search functionalities.

Perplexity Labs is accessible on the web, iOS, and Android platforms, with versions for Mac and Windows apps coming soon, ensuring users can leverage the new tool across multiple devices.

According to a blog post by Perplexity, “Perplexity Labs can help you complete a variety of work and personal projects. Labs is designed to invest more time — 10 minutes or longer — and leverage additional tools [to accomplish tasks], such as advanced file generation and mini-app creation.” This indicates a focus on providing users with in-depth analytical and creative capabilities.

The launch of Perplexity Labs coincides with the release of a slide deck creation tool by viral AI agent platform Manus. This move aligns with Perplexity’s broader strategy to extend its services beyond traditional search. The company is also previewing a web browser, Comet, and recently acquired Read.vc, a social media network for professionals, signaling a diversification of its AI offerings.

Perplexity Labs utilizes AI to perform research and analysis, leveraging web search, code execution, and chart and image creation to develop comprehensive reports and visualizations. The tool can also create interactive web apps and write code to structure data, apply formulas, and generate documents. This robust functionality aims to streamline complex tasks and enhance user productivity.

All files created within Perplexity Labs, including charts, images, and code files, are organized in a dedicated tab for easy access and download. This feature allows users to efficiently manage and utilize the deliverables generated during their projects. Perplexity emphasizes that this expanded capability empowers users to develop a broader array of deliverables for their projects.

While the theoretical capabilities of Perplexity Labs are promising, the effectiveness of the AI-driven tool remains to be fully tested. As with any AI technology, imperfections are expected, and the true value of Labs will be determined through practical application and user feedback.

Perplexity has been increasingly focusing on corporate functionalities. Last summer, it launched an enterprise plan that includes user management and internal knowledge search. These strategic moves may reflect the influence of VCs backing Perplexity, who are keen to see a return on their investment. Perplexity is reportedly in talks to raise up to $1 billion in capital at an $18 billion valuation, indicating significant investor confidence.