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AI-Powered Research

Raycaster transforms how you gather and analyze information in life sciences with intelligent, evidence-based research capabilities.

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Evidence-Based

Every insight includes verifiable sources

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Intelligent Analysis

Connects data points for meaningful insights

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Customizable

Configure exactly what and how to research

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Research at a Glance

Discover

Find relevant information from multiple sources including web content, scientific literature, and structured databases.

Analyze

Process information intelligently to extract meaningful patterns, connections, and insights.

Synthesize

Combine information from multiple sources to create comprehensive, contextualized results.

Present

Format results appropriately for your chosen column type with clear, actionable information.
All research results include citations and evidence sources, allowing you to verify information and dive deeper when needed.

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Key Research Capabilities

Raycaster’s research system can:
  1. Gather Information: Automatically collect data from diverse sources
  2. Analyze Content: Process and structure information for your needs
  3. Generate Insights: Create valuable intelligence with proper citations
  4. Format Results: Deliver information in the most useful format
  5. Provide Evidence: Support findings with verifiable sources

Evidence-Based

All research is backed by citations and identifiable sources for confidence in the information provided.

Format-Appropriate

Results adapt to your chosen column type, presenting information as text, numbers, classifications, or other formats.

Context-Aware

Research takes into account other information about the company or person for relevant, connected insights.

Customizable

Configure exactly what information to gather and how it should be processed using prompts and settings.

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How Research Works

Research configuration interface showing prompt editor, variable selection, and settings

Research configuration interface showing prompt editor, variable selection, and settings

1

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Start Research

Research begins when you click the research button in a cell, run batch operations, or add a new entity with auto-enrichment.

2

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Gather Information

The AI collects relevant data from web sources, databases, LinkedIn, scientific literature, and patents based on your configuration.

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Process & Analyze

Information is analyzed, structured, and verified according to your research prompt and column type requirements.

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Deliver Results

Processed information appears in your cell with full details, sources, and reasoning available in the side panel.

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When enabled, Raycaster will:

  • Search the internet for current, up-to-date information
  • Include links to original sources for verification
  • Provide more comprehensive but potentially slower results

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Research Tools

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Structured Research

General-purpose research with formatted output adapting to any column type.

Most versatileAny column type

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Company Enrichment

Comprehensive company data gathering with detailed organizational profiles.

Company dataTEXT columns

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People Enrichment

Detailed professional background analysis for comprehensive people profiles.

Individual profilesTEXT columns

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Patent Research

Intellectual property analysis for technology and innovation tracking.

IP analysisTEXT, NUMBER, SELECT

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Publication Research

Scientific literature discovery and analysis for evidence-based insights.

Literature analysisTEXT, NUMBER, SELECT

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Choose the right tool for your research needs

Each research tool is optimized for specific types of data gathering. Start with Structured Research for general needs, then explore specialized tools as your research requires more depth.

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Enabling Research

Research capabilities are configured at the column level, allowing you to:
  1. Create columns that automatically gather specific information
  2. Define exactly what data to collect with custom prompts
  3. Control how the information is presented and formatted
  4. Choose which external sources to include
Enabling Research
Learn more about configuring research columns

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Web Search Integration

Raycaster can use web search to enhance research results:

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Web Search Enabled

When web search is enabled, the system:
  • Searches the internet for current information
  • Accesses recent content and up-to-date facts
  • Provides links to original sources
  • Gathers the most current information available

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Web Search Disabled

When web search is disabled, the system:
  • Uses only provided variables and internal knowledge
  • Processes faster but may have less recent information
  • Relies on structured data and existing context
  • May have more consistent but potentially less comprehensive results
Web search adds processing time to research tasks but generally provides more current and comprehensive information.

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Starting Research

Here’s how to trigger research in your sheets:

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Individual Cell Research

1

Select Cell

Click on a cell in a research-enabled column
2

Start Research

Click the research button (magnifying glass icon) in the cell
  • For new cells, this appears in the center
  • For existing cells, look for the refresh icon
3

Monitor Progress

Watch the loading indicator as research progresses
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Review Results

When complete, review the information and sources
Cell Research

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Batch Research

1

Select Column

Click on a column header that you would like to run
2

Open Edit Column Menu

Click the “Edit Column” button in the drop down
3

Change Save Option

Change the save option to “Save & Run All”
4

Start Batch

Click “Save” to begin processing all selected cells
5

Monitor Progress

Track progress in the status indicator
Batch Research

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Viewing Research Results

After research completes, you can view the results in different ways:

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Cell View

The cell itself shows a formatted preview of the research results appropriate to the column type:
  • Text columns show formatted text
  • Number columns show the numeric value
  • Select columns show the chosen option(s)
  • Boolean columns show yes/no indicators

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Side Panel

Click on a researched cell to open the side panel for detailed information: Research Panel The research panel includes:
  • Full Results: Complete formatted research output
  • Sources: Citations and references used
  • AI Thinking: The reasoning process behind the results
  • Raw Data: Technical details for advanced users

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Research Status Indicators

Research cells display status indicators:
  • Processing: Spinning icon shows research in progress
  • Completed: Content visible when research is finished
  • Error: Error message appears if research failed

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Copying Research Content

There are several ways to copy research content for use in other applications or documents:

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Basic Copy Methods

1

Copy from Cell

Right-click on a researched cell and select “Copy” or use keyboard shortcuts:
  • Windows/Linux: Ctrl+C
  • Mac: ⌘+C
2

Copy from Research Panel

Open the research panel and use the copy options:
  • Click the copy icon in the top-right of the panel
  • Select specific text sections and use standard copy commands

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Retrying Research

When research operations fail or produce unsatisfactory results, you can retry using these methods:

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Failed Research Retry

1

Identify Failed Research

Look for cells with error indicators, incomplete results, or stale cells
2

Open Cell Options

Click on the cell to select it, then look for the retry option or restart research
3

Retry Operation

Click the “Retry Research” or button that appears for failed cellsRetry Research
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Monitor Progress

Watch the loading indicator as research is attempted again

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Modifying Research Parameters

If research consistently fails or produces poor results, try these steps:
1

Revise Research Prompt

Edit the column configuration to modify the research prompt:
  • Make the prompt more specific
  • Break complex requests into simpler components
  • Remove ambiguous language
2

Adjust Web Search Settings

Toggle web search settings:
  • Enable web search for more comprehensive results
  • Disable web search for faster, knowledge-base only results
3

Modify Input Variables

Check that all necessary input variables have valid values
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Try a Different Research Tool

Switch to a more appropriate research tool for your specific needs

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Batch Retry

For retrying multiple failed research operations at once:
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Select Column

Click the column header that has failed research
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Edit Column

Click edit column
3

Change Run Option

Change the run option to “Save & Run Failed”
4

Monitor Batch Progress

Track progress in the status indicator

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Persistent Failures

If research continues to fail after multiple retry attempts, it may indicate:
- The target entity has limited public information
- Your prompt contains conflicting requirements
- Rate limiting or API issues
Consider modifying your approach or contacting support for assistance.