What HandyCPD can read from your CPD files and links

HandyCPD can extract text from supported PDFs, Word documents, PowerPoint slides, text files and CSVs, or use text you paste. That material can help supply activity details and context. Your own notes explain what you did, what you learned and why it matters to your work.

Images and Excel workbooks can be stored as evidence, but their contents are not read in this workflow. Web, podcast and video links are saved as references without fetching the page or recording. Add the relevant learning to your notes so it can inform the draft.

Start with one activity and its relevant evidence. After processing, check the reading label for each item, fill any important gaps and review the suggested record before filing.

Use this guide to choose your material and see what you may need to explain yourself.

Audio and video files are not accepted evidence uploads. Save the recording link and your notes instead; the podcast and video reflection guide has examples to help you get started.

The label explains how an item was processed. Open its explanation before deciding whether your draft has enough context.

Read

Usable text was extracted to support the draft.

Next step: Check the suggested details against the source and add your own learning. The label confirms text extraction; it does not confirm that every detail or interpretation in the draft is correct.

Partially read

Some content was used, but a reading limit or format restriction left material out. A slide deck containing charts can have this label even when its slide text was extracted.

Next step: Read the explanation, then add the important missing passage or visual point to your notes, with a page or slide reference. Check that the draft preserves any relevant qualifications.

Evidence only

The file or link is retained, but its contents were not read. This is expected for items such as certificate images, Excel workbooks and recording links.

Next step: Keep the item as supporting evidence and write the details or learning you want the draft to use. You do not need to re-upload an item simply because it has this label.

Couldn’t read

The item was stored, but processing did not produce usable text. A scan, password protection, a damaged file or a processing failure can cause this.

Next step: Check that the original opens and whether its text is selectable. Use a readable copy you are entitled to use, or add the relevant information in your notes. If a supported, readable file keeps failing, contact support.

Unsupported

The reading process cannot extract content from this file type. This is separate from whether a file type is accepted for upload.

Next step: Check the supported formats above. If you have a suitable version, use it; otherwise add your learning notes and keep any already stored file as evidence.

In the Forest, where you review your CPD records, you may see Content read, Partly read, Content not read or Couldn’t read. Check the individual explanation there too.

In this fictional example, a professional attends a webinar on explaining complex information. They have a PowerPoint deck they are allowed to use, a certificate image and the recording link. They want a record of their learning and something to try in their next presentation.

1. Start with the activity and its evidence

They enter the webinar title, provider, date and the time they actually spent learning. They attach the slides and certificate and save the recording link. The certificate can help them check the event details, while their own notes establish their participation and learning.

2. Check what was read

• Slides — Partially read: slide text and available speaker notes can be used, but a chart on slide 8 is omitted.
• Certificate image — Evidence only: the certificate is stored; its printed details do not populate the draft from the image.
• Recording link — Evidence only: the source is saved, but the recording is not watched or transcribed.

3. Add the learning that the attachments cannot supply

After checking the chart and their webinar notes, they add:

Slide 8 compared two ways of presenting the same information: starting with background detail or starting with the decision the audience needs to make. The presenter used it to illustrate leading with the main point. I tend to explain the background first. In my next team briefing, I will start with the decision, then give the supporting detail. I will ask a colleague whether the intended action was clear; I have not tried this yet.

The slide reference identifies the source. The observation about their own presentations comes from their experience. The final sentences describe a planned change and how they will review it, without claiming an improvement has already happened.

4. Review the suggested record

They check the activity details against their notes and certificate, and the summary against the slides. They correct anything that suggests the recording was analysed or the planned change has already succeeded, and review any suggested standards before filing.

Keep the source and your interpretation clear

Extracted text provides context; it does not assess whether a source is reliable or its findings apply to your setting. In this example, the chart illustrates an approach to try. The professional still needs to judge its usefulness in their own work.

A file may be stored successfully while only part of its text reaches the draft. Current limits are:

• Up to 10 attached files processed in a run.
• Up to 200 PDF pages or 100 PowerPoint slides, with the text limit also applying.
• Up to 60,000 extracted characters per file.
• Up to 100,000 characters of combined supporting material for the CPD draft.

The first limit reached matters. A PDF can reach the text limit before its page limit, and several documents can exceed the combined allowance. Choose the material relevant to this activity and put any essential passage or qualification in your own notes.

The upload limit is 50 MB per file. File size does not tell you how much can be read: a small scan may have no extractable text, while a long text document may only be partly used.

The Reflection Engine receives condensed supporting context alongside the CPD record. It does not reread every attachment in full. Keep any important passage, limitation or personal observation in your activity notes and check the suggested insights against it.

For the webinar example, the useful starting point is the professional's habit of explaining background first and their plan for the next briefing. The slides can support that reflection; the certificate and recording link identify the activity. They cannot explain how it relates to this person's work.

1. Confirm the activity details. Check the title, provider, date and time spent against your own records.
2. Check the reading results. Look at each item's explanation and supply important missing context.
3. Make your learning clear. Separate what the source says from your interpretation, experience and intended action.
4. Review the suggestions. Edit the summary and any suggested standards. Check that planned benefits have not become claims of achieved results.
5. Keep useful references. Include the page, slide or timestamp you may want to revisit.

See the CPD logging walkthrough for the review process, or learn how to organise research papers alongside your CPD notes.