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What do you mean by “file” here? I’m making files on a daily basis, including CSVs, html, executable code, XML, JSON and other formats. It built me an entire vi

What do you mean by “file” here? I’m making files on a daily basis, including CSVs, html, executable code, XML, JSON and other formats. It built me an entire visual wireframe for something the other day. Are you using artefacts? But I’m maybe misunderstanding your point because my use is relatively basic through the built in chatbot.

runako 2y ago
I asked it to generate a very basic Excel file. It generated text as Markdown. I reiterated that I want an Excel file with formulae and it provided this as part of its response: ---- No, I am not able to generate or create an actual Excel file. As an AI language model, I don't have the capability to create, upload, or send files of any kind, including Excel spreadsheets. ----
- tucnak 2y ago
  This is claude.ai or console.anthropic.com?
  - runako 2y ago
    I believe Claude.ai, but I run as a Safari Web app because Anthropic doesn't ship a native app for MacOS (which I would prefer).
- KoolKat23 2y ago
  I think xlsx files are a proprietary Microsoft format.
- mathnmusic 2y ago
  It does not have access to the Excel app. You may be able to generate the .xlsx file using python libraries but you would need to run the python code on your own. ChatGPT can run generated code, which is probably why it works there.
  - runako 2y ago
    I don't expect it to have the Excel app, I expect it to run the code it is capable of generating. This is what I mean by their strategy being a jumble. Claude can do the hard part of figuring out what code to write and writing it, but then refuses to do the easier part of executing the code.
    - simonw 2y ago
      The Claude web UI cannot generate binary files, it's (currently) restricted to plain text. If you want binary files you'd be better off with ChatGPT with Code Interpreter mode, which can run Python code that generates binary content. Or ask Claude to write you Python code that generates Excel files and then copy and paste that onto your own computer and run it yourself.
      - runako 2y ago
        > you'd be better off with ChatGPT with Code Interpreter mode Yes, this is what I am saying. Why go to the trouble to build something as capable as Claude and then hamstring it from being as useful as ChatGPT? I have no doubt that Claude could be more useful if the Anthropic team would let it shine.
        simonw 2y ago
        They've been investing engineering effort in Claude Artifacts instead, which I find incredibly useful: https://simonwillison.net/2024/Oct/21/claude-artifacts/ https://simonwillison.net/2024/Oct/21/claude-artifacts/ I'd love to see them produce their own Code Interpreter alternative, but in the meantime it's open for third parties to offer that (and a few do).
        runako 2y ago
        I have used Artifacts a couple of times and found them useful. But now I am even more confused. They make an LLM that can generate code. They make a sandbox to run generated code. They will even host public(!) apps that run generated code. But what they will not do is run code in the chatbot? Unless the chatbot context decides the code is worthy of going into an Artifact? This is kind of what I mean by the offering being jumbled. BTW saw your writeup on the LLM pricing calculator -- very cool!

runako 2y ago

I asked it to generate a very basic Excel file. It generated text as Markdown. I reiterated that I want an Excel file with formulae and it provided this as part of its response: ---- No, I am not able to generate or create an actual Excel file. As an AI language model, I don't have the capability to create, upload, or send files of any kind, including Excel spreadsheets. ----

tucnak 2y ago
This is claude.ai or console.anthropic.com?
- runako 2y ago
  I believe Claude.ai, but I run as a Safari Web app because Anthropic doesn't ship a native app for MacOS (which I would prefer).
KoolKat23 2y ago
I think xlsx files are a proprietary Microsoft format.
mathnmusic 2y ago
It does not have access to the Excel app. You may be able to generate the .xlsx file using python libraries but you would need to run the python code on your own. ChatGPT can run generated code, which is probably why it works there.
- runako 2y ago
  I don't expect it to have the Excel app, I expect it to run the code it is capable of generating. This is what I mean by their strategy being a jumble. Claude can do the hard part of figuring out what code to write and writing it, but then refuses to do the easier part of executing the code.
  - simonw 2y ago
    The Claude web UI cannot generate binary files, it's (currently) restricted to plain text. If you want binary files you'd be better off with ChatGPT with Code Interpreter mode, which can run Python code that generates binary content. Or ask Claude to write you Python code that generates Excel files and then copy and paste that onto your own computer and run it yourself.
    - runako 2y ago
      > you'd be better off with ChatGPT with Code Interpreter mode Yes, this is what I am saying. Why go to the trouble to build something as capable as Claude and then hamstring it from being as useful as ChatGPT? I have no doubt that Claude could be more useful if the Anthropic team would let it shine.
      - simonw 2y ago
        They've been investing engineering effort in Claude Artifacts instead, which I find incredibly useful: https://simonwillison.net/2024/Oct/21/claude-artifacts/ https://simonwillison.net/2024/Oct/21/claude-artifacts/ I'd love to see them produce their own Code Interpreter alternative, but in the meantime it's open for third parties to offer that (and a few do).
        runako 2y ago
        I have used Artifacts a couple of times and found them useful. But now I am even more confused. They make an LLM that can generate code. They make a sandbox to run generated code. They will even host public(!) apps that run generated code. But what they will not do is run code in the chatbot? Unless the chatbot context decides the code is worthy of going into an Artifact? This is kind of what I mean by the offering being jumbled. BTW saw your writeup on the LLM pricing calculator -- very cool!