> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.anyformat.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Instructions

> Plain-English guidance you attach to a field to improve extraction accuracy.

**Instructions** tell anyformat *how to extract a field*. They are written in plain English and can include:

* What to look for
* Where it usually appears
* How to interpret ambiguous cases

**Example:**

> "Extract the total amount charged, including taxes. Ignore subtotals."

***

## Why instructions matter

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Good instructions" icon="check">
    * Reduce ambiguity
    * Improve accuracy
    * Lower review time
  </Card>

  <Card title="Bad instructions" icon="xmark">
    * Are vague
    * Repeat the field name
    * Try to encode logic unnecessarily
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Instruction best practices

<Steps>
  <Step title="Be explicit, not clever">
    Say exactly what you mean. Avoid shortcuts or assumptions.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Describe intent, not format">
    Focus on *what* you want, not *where* it appears on the page.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Explain edge cases when needed">
    If a value can appear in multiple forms, clarify which one to prefer.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Avoid copying document text verbatim">
    Instructions should guide processing, not mirror the source.
  </Step>
</Steps>

You don't need to over-instruct. Clear intent beats long explanations.

***

## Examples

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Good instruction">
    **Field:** `total_amount`

    **Instruction:** "Extract the final total amount including taxes. If multiple totals appear, use the one labeled 'Grand Total' or 'Amount Due'."
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Bad instruction">
    **Field:** `total_amount`

    **Instruction:** "The total amount." *(Too vague — doesn't clarify which total or whether to include taxes.)*
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## What's next?

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="AI Suggestions" icon="wand-magic-sparkles" href="/concepts/ai-suggestions">
    Let AI help you write fields and instructions
  </Card>

  <Card title="Workflows" icon="arrows-rotate" href="/concepts/workflows">
    Put your schema to work with repeatable workflows
  </Card>
</CardGroup>