Skip to main content

Stick to the Facts

Learn how to write prompts that keep Omnifact focused on real information and prevent it from creating details that aren’t accurate.

​
The Core Principle

Sometimes AI creates information that sounds believable but isn’t actually true or based on your materials. This includes made-up statistics, fictional details, or confident answers about things it doesn’t actually know. The solution is simple: Always tell Omnifact to stick to the information you provide and say when it doesn’t know something. To provide this information, you can copy and paste text or attach files directly to your message. If cloud storage integrations are enabled, you can import documents from Google Drive, OneDrive, or SharePoint using the attachment menu. In Spaces, the AI can also retrieve from Uploaded Files and Connected Sources. When you use these techniques, you:
  • Get more reliable answers for important business decisions
  • Avoid spreading incorrect information to colleagues or clients
  • Build appropriate trust in AI-generated content
Use this pattern for factual accuracy:
Example:
“Using only the information in this report, summarize the key findings. If any important details are missing, say so clearly. REPORT: [your document]“

​
Choosing the Right Response Mode

Omnifact offers three Response Modes that affect how strictly the AI sticks to facts. Use this framework to pick the right mode before you send your message:

Auto (Default)

Best for: Questions that may need web search, attached files, or document retrieval alongside your instructions.The AI decides which tools to use. Pair with grounding phrases when accuracy matters.

Quick Response

Best for: Brainstorming, drafting, or general knowledge when speed matters more than external sources.The AI answers from its training data only. Do not use this mode when you need facts from your documents or the web.

Simple Lookup

Best for: Answers that must come only from your Space’s documents.Available in Spaces with Uploaded Files. The most reliable option for preventing made-up details.
If you need…Choose…
Up-to-date information or multiple sourcesAuto
A fast draft without tool lookupsQuick Response
Answers strictly from your team’s documentsSimple Lookup
Not sure which mode works best? Send your message in Auto, then use the Response Mode dropdown on the AI’s reply to regenerate the answer in Simple Lookup or Quick Response and compare the results.

​
Using Simple Lookup Mode in Spaces

If you are working within a Space that has Uploaded Files, Omnifact offers a built-in feature to guarantee responses are completely grounded in your documents: Simple Lookup mode. When you switch your Response Mode to Simple Lookup (using the selector at the bottom left of the chat input), the AI assistant will:
  1. Search only through the Space’s Uploaded Files.
  2. Ignore its general training data.
  3. Base its entire response strictly on the retrieved document content.
This is the easiest and most reliable way to prevent hallucinations when you need answers extracted directly from your team’s Uploaded Files.

​
Helpful Phrases to Keep Responses Accurate

Use these phrases to keep Omnifact focused on facts:

Set Clear Boundaries

  • “Using only the information provided…”
  • “Based solely on this document…”
  • “If the answer isn’t in the content, say so”
  • “Don’t guess beyond what’s written”

Encourage Honesty

  • “If you’re not certain, say so”
  • “Only answer what you can verify”
  • “Tell me when information is missing”
  • “If unclear, ask for clarification”

​
Real Examples You Can Use

“What are the latest trends in our industry and how do they affect our strategy?”
“Based on the market research I’m providing, identify industry trends mentioned and their potential impact on our strategy. If you need additional recent information not in these documents, let me know.
RESEARCH DOCUMENTS: [your research]”

​
Common Mistakes That Lead to Made-Up Information

Problem: Requesting details that aren’t in your materials
Instead of: “What’s our customer satisfaction score?” (when you haven’t shared survey data)
Try: “What does this customer survey data tell us about satisfaction levels?”
Problem: Asking for forecasts without past information
Instead of: “What will our sales be next quarter?”
Try: “Based on these past 4 quarters of sales data, what trends do you see?”
Problem: Asking for advice without your specific context
Instead of: “What are the best marketing strategies for SaaS companies?”
Try: “Based on our company profile and these market research documents, which marketing approaches might work best for us?”

​
When It’s Still Not Working

Be more explicit about boundaries:
  • Add “Don’t assume standard practices not mentioned”
  • Use “If this information isn’t provided, state that clearly”
  • Try “Limit your analysis to only what’s documented”
Ask Omnifact to cite sources:
  • “For each point, tell me which section of the document it comes from”
  • “Quote relevant sections to support your analysis”
  • “Point to specific data from the materials provided”
Explicitly ask for limitations:
  • “Clearly state any assumptions you’re making”
  • “Tell me what additional information would be needed”
  • “Point out any sections that are unclear or could be interpreted differently”
When Omnifact says “I don’t have enough information to answer that accurately,” that’s actually good—it shows the AI is being careful rather than making things up.

​
When to Be Extra Careful

Watch out for these situations where made-up information is more likely:
  • Requests for specific statistics without providing data sources
  • Questions about recent events or current market conditions
  • Requests for industry benchmarks without providing reference materials
  • Legal or compliance questions without specific documentation
  • Technical specifications not provided in your materials
For critical business decisions, financial analysis, legal matters, or compliance issues, always double-check AI responses with appropriate experts and authoritative sources.

​
Other Intermediate Guides