Convert a PDF into study notes
Brief reads the text in your PDF or Word file and rewrites it as organised study notes: a summary, explainers of hard parts and flashcards. It saves you from reading a long document and writing the notes by hand.
Upload a PDFFree account needed to generate notes.
How to turn a PDF into notes
- Open Brief and sign in with a free account
- Upload your PDF or Word file (you can add photos or paste text too)
- Choose the depth (Basic, Medium or High) and a note style
- Click “Make my notes” and wait about a minute
- Save the notes, download them, or make a practice test from them
Scanned books and photos
If your material is printed, take photos of the pages with your phone camera or upload scans. Brief reads the text in the images. Clear, well-lit photos give the best results.
Limitations to keep in mind
- AI notes can be wrong or leave things out. Check key points against your course materials.
- Notes are a study aid, not legal or professional advice, and not work to submit as your own.
- Very poor photos or scanned pages with unreadable text give weaker notes.
- You need a free account and an internet connection to create notes. Saved notes can be read offline.
Frequently asked questions
Can I download the notes Brief makes from my PDF?
Yes. Notes can be downloaded as PDF, Word (.docx) or Markdown, with their formatting kept.
Does Brief keep my PDF private?
Your notes are private by default and visible only to you. They appear in the public library only if you choose to publish them.
Can Brief make flashcards from a PDF?
Yes. Flashcards are one of the outputs you can tick before generating notes.
Ready to spend less time writing notes?
Upload a PDF