Perplexity’s new feature generates spreadsheets, dashboards

Perplexity, an AI-powered search engine, has launched Perplexity Labs for its US$20-per-month Pro subscribers.

This new feature lets users create reports, spreadsheets, dashboards, and other outputs to support research and productivity.

Perplexity Labs works on web, iOS, and Android, with Mac and Windows apps planned.

It uses AI to help with web search, code execution, and creating charts and images for interactive web applications.

All files created in Labs, like charts and code, are saved in an organized tab for easy access and download.

This feature reflects Perplexity’s move to expand beyond search engines into broader AI tools.

🔗 Source: TechCrunch

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Perplexity’s expansion aligns with its aggressive valuation growth

Perplexity’s Labs launch comes as the company negotiates a substantial $500 million funding round at a $14 billion valuation, a significant increase from its $9 billion valuation just months ago in December 1.

With approximately $100 million in annual recurring revenue, Perplexity’s valuation-to-revenue multiple is exceptionally high, creating pressure to expand beyond its core search functionality into higher-value enterprise offerings 1.

This pattern of rapid product expansion follows other AI companies like OpenAI, which initially focused on core technology but quickly diversified into plugins, enterprise offerings, and specialized tools to justify multi-billion valuations.

The backing of prominent investors like Accel, Nvidia, and Jeff Bezos’s Bezos Expeditions shows strong confidence in Perplexity’s ability to challenge established players, particularly through differentiated products like Labs and Comet 2.

Perplexity’s API business has become an important growth area, allowing the company to monetize high-volume queries and create new revenue streams beyond direct consumer subscriptions 2.

2️⃣ Specialized AI functionality becomes key differentiator in crowded market

Perplexity’s shift toward specialized tools like Labs reflects a broader market trend where AI companies are creating niche functionality to stand out among numerous alternatives.