Opus 2 Quick Start Guide

Documents

The Documents page allows users to access, organize, and manage all case documents and transcripts. From this page, users can:

• Upload and export documents and folders
• Import document metadata (e.g. document name, status, version, deponent, Bates numbers)
• Apply issue tags
• Apply exhibit stamps to folders or individual documents

Folders

Documents and transcripts are organized in folders within the Documents tab.

To create a folder:

1. Navigate to the Documents tab.
2. Click the + button in the sidebar.
3. In the Create Folder dialog, enter:
   • Folder name
   • Description
   • Color
   • Location (nested folders are supported) 

Text‑searchable PDFs are recommended for upload, but Opus 2 can perform OCR on documents if required.

Example:
Create a folder called Discovery – Plaintiff with a blue color to visually differentiate it from other document sets.

Uploading Documents and Transcripts

Users can upload documents using drag‑and‑drop or the toolbar upload option.

To upload documents or transcripts:

1. Select the destination folder.
2. Click Upload from the toolbar and choose whether to upload documents or transcripts.
3. Drag and drop files into the dialog, or click Select Files to browse locally.
4. Confirm the destination folder and select whether OCR is needed.

Example:
Upload a folder of scanned exhibits and enable OCR so they become text‑searchable.

Opening and Annotating Documents

To open a document:

1. Click the document name in the table.
2. Click the preview in the right‑hand preview pane.

Once open, users can highlight text to open the creation toolbar and:

• Create notes
• Create chronology events
• Redact text
• Create links to other documents or locations

Notes can include text, tags, and be shared with specific users. Notes can also be linked to Chronology events, Characters, or Organizations.

Example:
Highlight a key paragraph and create a note that links the text to a chronology event.

Tags

Tags help group and categorize documents for faster review and collaboration.

To tag a single document: 

1. Click the document to open the preview pane.
2. Go to the Details tab.
3. Apply tags and save.
   

To tag multiple documents:

1. Select documents using the checkboxes.
2. Select Actions > Tag documents.
3. Add or remove tags and apply changes.
   

Example:
Apply an “Expert Evidence” tag to all related reports.

Transcripts

Opus 2 supports collaborative transcript review, including designations, annotations, video synchronization, exhibit linking, and exports.

To import a transcript:

1. Select Upload > Upload transcript from the Documents toolbar.
2. Drag and drop a supported transcript file (TXT, PTF, MDB, PCF, LEF) or browse for files.
3. Select the destination folder (a dedicated Transcripts folder is recommended).
4. Complete details and click Save.

To link video to a transcript:

1. Select the transcript using the checkbox.
2. Choose Actions > Update > Manage transcript media.
3. Upload or browse for the video file and save.

Inside the transcript viewer, users can highlight testimony to add annotations, designations, or links.

Characters

The Characters worksheet centralizes information about key individuals in the case.

To add a character:

1. Click Add Character from the toolbar.
2. Enter details such as:
   • Name and abbreviation
   • Role in case
   • Photo
   • Job title
   • Associated organizations
   • Contact details
   • Tags and linked documents

To edit a character:

1. Select the character in the table.
2. Update information in the Details panel.
3. Save changes.

Characters can be viewed as a table, timeline, kanban cards, or calendar using the Display dropdown.

Chronology

The Chronology worksheet allows users to build a case timeline or fact log.

To create an event:

1. Click Add Event.
2. Enter date and time, summary, tags, involved characters or organizations, and status.
3. Link supporting documents or transcripts by highlighting text.

Events can also be created directly while reviewing documents or transcripts.

To edit an event:

1. Select the event in the table.
2. Update details in the right‑hand panel.
3. Save changes before navigating away.

Designations

The Designations worksheet manages annotated and designated excerpts from documents and transcripts.

Designations can be added:

• From Add Designation, or
• Directly from document or transcript viewers by highlighting text

Designations can be viewed as a table or as cards, and updated by editing details or dragging cards. 

Notes

The Notes worksheet provides a consolidated view of all notes created across documents and transcripts.

Users can:

• Search and edit notes from the table
• Click the highlighted text icon to open the source document at the relevant location

Organizations

The Organizations worksheet tracks companies and other entities involved in the case.

To add an organization:

1. Click Add Organization.
2. Enter name, description, and involvement.

Organizations can be edited from the Details panel and linked to characters, chronology events, documents, transcripts, and notes.