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How to Upload Files to Grok: PDFs, Spreadsheets, Images and Audio

In any Grok chat, click the + icon next to the message box and pick your files, or drag them in on the web. xAI says Grok handles PDFs, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, images, audio and video, up to 150 MB per file for most types, and up to about 100 files at once on the web. Then ask a specific question about them.

By Published Last updated 2 min read

The short version

Attach the file, then ask a specific question. “What’s in this?” gets a vague summary. “List every deadline in this contract with the page number” gets something you can use.

Step by step

1. Attach your files

In any chat on grok.com, iOS or Android, click or tap the + icon next to the message box and choose files. On the web you can also drag and drop. xAI says Grok confirms the upload before it answers.

2. Know what works

According to xAI’s FAQ (October 2026):

  • Documents and data: PDF, DOCX, TXT, CSV, XLSX, PPTX, HTML, XML, JSON, Markdown, LaTeX, ODT, RTF and code files
  • Images: JPEG, PNG, WebP, HEIC, BMP (GIF and SVG vary by platform)
  • Audio: MP3, WAV, M4A, OGG, FLAC, AAC
  • Video: MP4, MOV
  • Size: up to 150 MB per file for most files
  • How many: about 100 files at once on the web, 20 on Android, multiple on iOS

3. Ask a precise question

Say what you want out, in what format. For long PDFs, xAI recommends referring to specific pages by their actual page numbers.

4. Break up very big jobs

xAI says very long files may be summarized or handled in sections. For a 300-page report, ask about one chapter at a time.

5. Clean up afterward

Delete files you no longer need at grok.com/files.

Prompts to copy

Contract or agreement:

text
List every date, deadline, fee and cancellation term in this document, with the page number for each.
Then list anything unusual I should ask about. [attach PDF]

Spreadsheet:

text
This is our sales export for the last 12 months. What are the 3 biggest trends?
Show the numbers behind each one, and make a simple chart of monthly totals. [attach CSV or XLSX]

Compare two versions:

text
Compare these two versions of our terms. List every change in a table:
section, old wording, new wording, what it means for customers. [attach both files]

Audio:

text
Transcribe this voice memo, then turn it into a to-do list with owners and dates. [attach audio]

Example

You upload: a 40-page lease PDF for a new shop.

You ask: “List the rent, every increase, the deposit, who pays for repairs and how to end the lease early, with page numbers.”

A good result: a short table with page references. You open those pages and check each line before you sign anything, ideally with a lawyer.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Uploading what you’re not allowed to share. Client files, medical records and contracts under NDA need permission. See keep your data private in Grok.
  • Images inside Word files. xAI says embedded images in non-PDF files may not be read visually. Use a PDF.
  • Trusting transcripts blindly. xAI notes audio and video transcription quality varies.
  • Blurry photos. xAI suggests images of at least 1000 by 1000 pixels for detailed analysis.

When not to use it

Don’t rely on Grok’s reading alone for legal, tax or medical decisions. Use it to find what to look at, then check the original document and ask a professional.

Related: connect your apps to Grok and keep your data private in Grok.

Frequently asked questions

How many files can I upload at once?

xAI's FAQ says up to about 100 files on the web and up to 20 on Android; iOS supports multiple files. Limits can vary by platform and plan.

Why does Grok say my file type isn't supported?

Convert it to a common format such as PDF or TXT, or try another platform. xAI says the web often has wider document support than the apps.

How do I delete files I uploaded?

On the web, go to grok.com/files to delete content. More data options are in Settings, Data Controls.

Sources

  1. xAI docs: FAQ for the Grok website and apps (Files & Data)

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