Import documents, audio and video

Import turns an existing document, recording or video into a new SOP. Each import is reviewed before anything is created.

What you can import

• Word (.docx)
• PDF
• Markdown and plain text
• An audio recording of you talking through the process (for example .mp3, .m4a, .wav, .ogg, .webm, .aac or .flac)
• A screen recording you make in SOPCompass, or an uploaded video such as a Loom or Zoom recording (for example .mp4, .mov or .webm). See Screen recordings and video imports.
• A task you do in a web app, captured click by click with the SOPCompass Capture Chrome extension.

Documents and audio files can be up to 32 MB. Audio recordings can be up to 45 minutes; split longer ones. Videos up to 500 MB are kept in the SOP; a bigger video still becomes a written guide, without the video.

Documents and audio come in through Import, as below. Videos start from Upload a video or Record a process instead (see the next section).

Import a screen recording or video

1. For a new SOP, click + SOP in a library and, under Or start from a video, choose Upload a video or Record a process. For an existing SOP, open it and click Add from video.
2. SOPCompass finds the moments the screen changed, writes a step for each with a screenshot and transcribes any narration in your browser.
3. Review the steps and save. By default the original video stays at the top of the card, and each step gets a Watch this step button.

Full details, including recording tips and limits, are in Screen recordings and video imports. For tasks in a web app, the Capture extension records each click, choice and field as a step instead.

Import a document or audio file

1. Open the pillar and find the library the SOP should go in.
2. Click Import in that library’s column.
3. Click Choose a file and pick the file.
4. Wait while SOPCompass reads it. For audio, it transcribes the recording first. For longer documents, “Working out the structure” can take a moment.
5. Review the draft (see below).
6. Pick the departments under Which departments is this for?
7. Click Create this SOP.

Reviewing the draft

• A summary at the top says what was dropped and what had to be inferred. Read it: it is the fastest way to spot anything the conversion misunderstood.
• Edit the SOP title.
• Use Drop card or Drop step to remove anything you do not want.
• Card introductions are shown as they will appear, with their tables and lists. Edit them in the SOP after importing.

If you close the window after a draft is ready, SOPCompass asks before discarding it. If drafting fails, Try again retries without reading the file again.

What is kept

Imports keep the substance: headings, steps, lists, checklists and tables. Visual styling from the original file is not copied, so every SOP reads the same way.

A PDF is uploaded only so it can be read, and is deleted as soon as the draft is back. Audio never leaves your computer. A video file is uploaded so it can play in the SOP; its narration is transcribed in your browser.

Audio tips

• The first audio import downloads a speech model (about 60 MB), which is then cached in your browser.
• The speech model is English.
• If a recording seems silent, the browser may not be able to decode its format. Try exporting it as .mp3 or .m4a.

After importing

The new SOP opens in its library. Edit it like any other SOP, and consider AI sort (Business plan) if you imported many documents that need filing.