Overview

Writing and coding functionality is now supported directly in chat responses through writing blocks and code blocks. Canvas is no longer available in GPT-5.5 Instant or GPT-5.5 Thinking. Paid users can continue using canvas for a limited time through legacy models until those models are sunset.

• Writing blocks are editable areas for draft text, such as emails, messages, social posts, and documents.

• Code blocks keep code and supported preview content separate from the rest of the response, making it easier to read, edit, copy, preview, or run.

Availability

You may not see every action in every conversation. Available actions depend on the type of block, your device, your plan, workspace settings, and whether the feature is enabled for your account.

Use writing blocks

When ChatGPT creates text that you are likely to revise or reuse, it may place the draft in a writing block. You can also ask ChatGPT to create a draft that you can edit directly in the conversation.

Create a writing block

Try prompts such as:

• “Draft a reply email to my manager.”

• “Write a short Slack update for my team.”

• “Turn these notes into a one-page document.”

Edit a writing block

Depending on the writing block and the actions available to you, you can:

• Select the block and edit the text directly.

• Copy the text.

• Ask ChatGPT to revise selected text or the entire draft.

• Open the block in a full-screen editing view.

• Undo or redo recent AI-assisted edits.

• Send supported email drafts directly from ChatGPT, when available, or open them in an email app.

• Save supported document drafts to your Library, when available.

Format text in a writing block

Writing blocks support common formatting, including:

• Bold and italic text.

• Headings.

• Links.

• Bulleted and numbered lists.

• Checklists.

Use code blocks

ChatGPT usually places code in a code block. A code block keeps the code separate from the rest of the response so that you can read, copy, edit, preview, or run it more easily.

Depending on the code block and the actions available to you, you can:

• Copy the code.

• View the language label, such as Python, JavaScript, or HTML.

• Edit supported code blocks directly.

• Ask ChatGPT to edit the code.

• Open supported code blocks in full screen.

• Switch between Code and Preview for supported previews.

• Run supported Python code and view console output.

• Share a read-only link for supported code blocks, when sharing is available.

Preview supported code blocks

For supported code blocks, select Preview to view the result inside ChatGPT. Supported previews may include:

• HTML pages.

• React components.

• SVG images.

• Mermaid diagrams.

• Vega or Vega-Lite charts.

If Preview does not appear, the code block does not support a preview.

Run supported Python code

For supported Python code blocks, select Run to open a code workspace and view output or errors in the console. You can stop code that is still running.

Code previews and code execution use a sandboxed environment. If a preview requires outside resources, ChatGPT may ask for permission before connecting. Workspace admins can also control whether code execution and network access are available.

Save edits

Edits to supported writing blocks and code blocks save with the conversation after a short delay. ChatGPT can then use the latest version when you ask follow-up questions.

In Temporary Chat, edits may not persist after the conversation ends.