How do I use Gemini Notebook (formerly NotebookLM)?
Overview
Gemini Notebook, Google's tool formerly called NotebookLM, answers questions using only the sources in your notebook, not the whole web. Sign in with your SU Google account, create a notebook, add sources and ask questions. It can also turn your sources into study aids, such as flashcards, quizzes and audio or video overviews.
Steps
Go to notebook.google (opens in a new tab) and sign in with your SU Google account: your NetID followed by
@g.syr.edu.Click New Notebook.
Add your sources (see the list below), or type a topic in Search the web for new sources and let Gemini Notebook find some.
Read the Source Guide, a short summary of the key topics in your sources.
Type a question in the Ask a Question box, for example "Summarize this reading in 3 bullet points." Each answer cites the sources it came from.
To make study aids, choose a tool in the Studio panel.
What you can add
- Files: PDFs, Word, PowerPoint and Excel files, text and Markdown files, images and audio.
- From Google: Google Docs and Slides from your Drive, and books from Google Play Books.
- Links: public websites and YouTube videos.
- Copied text: paste anything into a source.
- Paper notes: scan them with Upload with Adobe Scan.
- The web: type a topic and Gemini Notebook searches for sources for you.
Study aids in the Studio panel
| Tool | What you get |
|---|---|
| Audio Overview | A podcast-style conversation about your sources |
| Video Overview | A narrated video summary |
| Slide deck | A presentation built from your sources |
| Mind map | A diagram of the main ideas and how they connect |
| Flashcards and quizzes | Practice for a test |
| Reports | Study guides, briefings and summaries |
| Infographics and data tables | Charts and tables drawn from your sources |
Troubleshooting
- A website or YouTube link won't add as a source. Gemini Notebook can't use webpages you have to pay to read, and it accepts only public YouTube videos that have captions.
Additional information
- A notebook holds up to 300 sources. Each source can have up to 500,000 words, and each uploaded file can be up to 200MB.
- You can share a notebook only with other Syracuse University accounts. Anyone you share it with as an editor can work in it with you in real time.
- For how Google handles your files and chats, see What happens to my data in SU AI tools?
Official links
Still need help?
If this did not answer your question, submit a request and the ITS Data and AI team will follow up.
Contact ITS AI Support