How to Use Claude for Long Document Analysis 2026
TL;DR: A step-by-step guide to using Claude for document analysis. 6 actionable steps with real prompts you can copy and use today.
Why Use Claude for Document Analysis
Claude can transform your document analysis workflow. This guide walks you through 6 practical steps, from setup to advanced techniques, with copy-paste prompts for each step.
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Upload Your Document
Claude accepts PDFs, Word docs, and text files up to 200K tokens (roughly 150,000 words or 500 pages). Drag and drop your file directly into the chat.
Step 2: Get a Summary
Prompt: ‘Summarize this document in 3 levels: 1) A one-sentence summary, 2) A one-paragraph executive summary, 3) A detailed summary with key points from each section.’ This gives you flexibility based on your audience.
Step 3: Extract Key Information
Prompt: ‘Extract all dates, deadlines, financial figures, and action items from this document. Present them in a structured table.’ Claude excels at finding specific data in large documents.
Step 4: Compare Documents
Upload two versions and prompt: ‘Compare these two documents. List all differences, additions, and deletions. Focus on substantive changes, not formatting.’ Perfect for contract review.
Step 5: Generate Analysis
Prompt: ‘Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the arguments in this document. Identify any logical gaps, unsupported claims, or missing evidence.’ Claude provides thorough critical analysis.
Step 6: Create Deliverables
Prompt: ‘Based on this document, create: 1) A client-facing summary email, 2) A list of follow-up questions, 3) An executive presentation outline.’ Turn analysis into action.
Pro Tips
- Save your best prompts in a document for quick reuse
- Always review AI output before using in production
- Iterate on prompts — your first attempt is rarely the best
- Combine multiple AI tools for the best results
FAQ
How much time does this save?
Most users report saving 3-8 hours per week on document analysis tasks with this workflow. The exact amount depends on volume and complexity.
Do I need the paid version?
The free tier of Claude handles most of these steps. Upgrade to paid if you consistently hit message or usage limits.
Ready to get started?
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