Research Capabilities
Harness the power of AI-driven research in Raycaster
AI-Powered Research
Raycaster transforms how you gather and analyze information in life sciences with intelligent, evidence-based research capabilities.
Evidence-Based
Every insight includes verifiable sources
Intelligent Analysis
Connects data points for meaningful insights
Customizable
Configure exactly what and how to research
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.
Key Research Capabilities
Raycaster’s research system can:
- Gather Information: Automatically collect data from diverse sources
- Analyze Content: Process and structure information for your needs
- Generate Insights: Create valuable intelligence with proper citations
- Format Results: Deliver information in the most useful format
- 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.
How Research Works
Start Research
Research begins when you click the research button in a cell, run batch operations, or add a new entity with auto-enrichment.
Gather Information
The AI collects relevant data from web sources, databases, LinkedIn, scientific literature, and patents based on your configuration.
Process & Analyze
Information is analyzed, structured, and verified according to your research prompt and column type requirements.
Deliver Results
Processed information appears in your cell with full details, sources, and reasoning available in the side panel.
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
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
When web search is disabled, Raycaster will:
- Use only provided variables and internal knowledge
- Process faster with more consistent results
- Provide potentially less current but more structured output
Research Tools
Structured Research
General-purpose research with formatted output adapting to any column type.
Company Enrichment
Comprehensive company data gathering with detailed organizational profiles.
People Enrichment
Detailed professional background analysis for comprehensive people profiles.
Patent Research
Intellectual property analysis for technology and innovation tracking.
Publication Research
Scientific literature discovery and analysis for evidence-based insights.
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.
Enabling Research
Research capabilities are configured at the column level, allowing you to:
- Create columns that automatically gather specific information
- Define exactly what data to collect with custom prompts
- Control how the information is presented and formatted
- Choose which external sources to include
Web Search Integration
Raycaster can use web search to enhance research results:
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
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.
Starting Research
Here’s how to trigger research in your sheets:
Individual Cell Research
Select Cell
Click on a cell in a research-enabled column
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
Monitor Progress
Watch the loading indicator as research progresses
Review Results
When complete, review the information and sources
Batch Research
Select Column
Click on a column header that you would like to run
Open Edit Column Menu
Click the “Edit Column” button in the drop down
Change Save Option
Change the save option to “Save & Run All”
Start Batch
Click “Save” to begin processing all selected cells
Monitor Progress
Track progress in the status indicator
Viewing Research Results
After research completes, you can view the results in different ways:
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
Side Panel
Click on a researched cell to open the side panel for detailed information:
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
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
Copying Research Content
There are several ways to copy research content for use in other applications or documents:
Basic Copy Methods
Copy from Cell
Right-click on a researched cell and select “Copy” or use keyboard shortcuts:
- Windows/Linux: Ctrl+C
- Mac: ⌘+C
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
Retrying Research
When research operations fail or produce unsatisfactory results, you can retry using these methods:
Failed Research Retry
Identify Failed Research
Look for cells with error indicators, incomplete results, or stale cells
Open Cell Options
Click on the cell to select it, then look for the retry option or restart research
Retry Operation
Click the “Retry Research” or button that appears for failed cells
Monitor Progress
Watch the loading indicator as research is attempted again
Modifying Research Parameters
If research consistently fails or produces poor results, try these steps:
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
Adjust Web Search Settings
Toggle web search settings:
- Enable web search for more comprehensive results
- Disable web search for faster, knowledge-base only results
Modify Input Variables
Check that all necessary input variables have valid values
Try a Different Research Tool
Switch to a more appropriate research tool for your specific needs
Batch Retry
For retrying multiple failed research operations at once:
Select Column
Click the column header that has failed research
Edit Column
Click edit column
Change Run Option
Change the run option to “Save & Run Failed”
Monitor Batch Progress
Track progress in the status indicator
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.
For best practices on writing effective research prompts, see the Prompt Writing section.
Research Capabilities
Harness the power of AI-driven research in Raycaster
AI-Powered Research
Raycaster transforms how you gather and analyze information in life sciences with intelligent, evidence-based research capabilities.
Evidence-Based
Every insight includes verifiable sources
Intelligent Analysis
Connects data points for meaningful insights
Customizable
Configure exactly what and how to research
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.
Key Research Capabilities
Raycaster’s research system can:
- Gather Information: Automatically collect data from diverse sources
- Analyze Content: Process and structure information for your needs
- Generate Insights: Create valuable intelligence with proper citations
- Format Results: Deliver information in the most useful format
- 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.
How Research Works
Start Research
Research begins when you click the research button in a cell, run batch operations, or add a new entity with auto-enrichment.
Gather Information
The AI collects relevant data from web sources, databases, LinkedIn, scientific literature, and patents based on your configuration.
Process & Analyze
Information is analyzed, structured, and verified according to your research prompt and column type requirements.
Deliver Results
Processed information appears in your cell with full details, sources, and reasoning available in the side panel.
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
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
When web search is disabled, Raycaster will:
- Use only provided variables and internal knowledge
- Process faster with more consistent results
- Provide potentially less current but more structured output
Research Tools
Structured Research
General-purpose research with formatted output adapting to any column type.
Company Enrichment
Comprehensive company data gathering with detailed organizational profiles.
People Enrichment
Detailed professional background analysis for comprehensive people profiles.
Patent Research
Intellectual property analysis for technology and innovation tracking.
Publication Research
Scientific literature discovery and analysis for evidence-based insights.
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.
Enabling Research
Research capabilities are configured at the column level, allowing you to:
- Create columns that automatically gather specific information
- Define exactly what data to collect with custom prompts
- Control how the information is presented and formatted
- Choose which external sources to include
Web Search Integration
Raycaster can use web search to enhance research results:
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
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.
Starting Research
Here’s how to trigger research in your sheets:
Individual Cell Research
Select Cell
Click on a cell in a research-enabled column
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
Monitor Progress
Watch the loading indicator as research progresses
Review Results
When complete, review the information and sources
Batch Research
Select Column
Click on a column header that you would like to run
Open Edit Column Menu
Click the “Edit Column” button in the drop down
Change Save Option
Change the save option to “Save & Run All”
Start Batch
Click “Save” to begin processing all selected cells
Monitor Progress
Track progress in the status indicator
Viewing Research Results
After research completes, you can view the results in different ways:
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
Side Panel
Click on a researched cell to open the side panel for detailed information:
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
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
Copying Research Content
There are several ways to copy research content for use in other applications or documents:
Basic Copy Methods
Copy from Cell
Right-click on a researched cell and select “Copy” or use keyboard shortcuts:
- Windows/Linux: Ctrl+C
- Mac: ⌘+C
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
Retrying Research
When research operations fail or produce unsatisfactory results, you can retry using these methods:
Failed Research Retry
Identify Failed Research
Look for cells with error indicators, incomplete results, or stale cells
Open Cell Options
Click on the cell to select it, then look for the retry option or restart research
Retry Operation
Click the “Retry Research” or button that appears for failed cells
Monitor Progress
Watch the loading indicator as research is attempted again
Modifying Research Parameters
If research consistently fails or produces poor results, try these steps:
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
Adjust Web Search Settings
Toggle web search settings:
- Enable web search for more comprehensive results
- Disable web search for faster, knowledge-base only results
Modify Input Variables
Check that all necessary input variables have valid values
Try a Different Research Tool
Switch to a more appropriate research tool for your specific needs
Batch Retry
For retrying multiple failed research operations at once:
Select Column
Click the column header that has failed research
Edit Column
Click edit column
Change Run Option
Change the run option to “Save & Run Failed”
Monitor Batch Progress
Track progress in the status indicator
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.
For best practices on writing effective research prompts, see the Prompt Writing section.