---
description: How to ask questions, continue conversations, save results, and use Plan Mode.
---

# Asking Questions

## Starting a conversation

Type your question into the chat input at the bottom of the Explorer screen and press Enter. The AI Analyst will query your data and return an answer as a summary, table, or visualisation.

You don't need to phrase questions in any particular way — write as you would to a colleague. For tips on getting the most out of your questions, see [Tips for Asking Questions](tips-for-quick-analysis.md).

## Conversational follow-ups

Explorer maintains context throughout your session, so you can keep digging without starting over:

* **Highlight any text** in a response to ask a follow-up question about that specific part
* **Reply with a follow-up** that builds on the previous answer
* **Explore related angles** without repeating context you've already established

This creates a natural analytical flow — start broad, then drill into the areas that matter.

## Plan Mode

For complex or high-stakes questions, you can enable [Plan Mode](plan-mode.md) using the toggle to the left of the send button. When Plan Mode is on, the AI Analyst will outline its approach before running any analysis. You can approve the plan or ask for changes before it proceeds.

Plan Mode is off by default. Once enabled, it applies to all your conversations until you turn it off.

## Saving results as Artifacts

Charts, tables, and reports produced in a conversation can be saved as **Artifacts** — named outputs that live in your Explorer library and stay queryable over time.

* Click **\[Save]** on any chart or table card in the chat to save it
* Click **\[Save artifact]** in the report panel footer to save a report

Saved artifacts appear in the **Artifacts** section of the Explorer sidebar. See [Artifacts](artifacts.md) for the full details.

## Building reports

The AI Analyst can compile your analysis into a structured report — with headings, paragraphs, charts, and tables — directly in the conversation. Reports appear in a side panel to the right of the chat and build in real time.

The AI Analyst will suggest a report when enough analysis has accumulated. You can also request one at any time: _"Can you pull this together into a report?"_

See [Reports](reports.md) for full details.

## Sharing results

Every conversation in Explorer generates a unique URL. Share it with teammates so they can see exactly the same data and conclusions. Access remains protected — only users with access to the workspace can view shared links.

## Multilingual support

Actian AI Analyst natively understands and responds in the language you write in — no configuration required. Ask your question in French, Spanish, Japanese, Arabic, or virtually any other language, and the AI Analyst will reply in that same language.

This means global teams can each interact in their preferred language, even when using the same AI Analyst.

## Debugging (Admins)

If a result looks unexpected, the **Debug in Studio** button opens the full execution trace for that task — showing exactly which queries were run and how the answer was derived. This is only available to [Admins](../../settings/members.md).