How do I set up a NotebookLM notebook for work?

Three steps. Ten minutes.

On Google Workspace Business Starter, Standard or Plus? It's already in your plan. On another plan, ask your IT admin.

1. Open it Go to notebook.google.com and sign in with your work Google account. Press Create new notebook.
2. Add your sources In the pop-up, press Upload a source. PDFs, Google Docs and Slides, Word files, web links, public YouTube links, even audio. Up to 50 sources a notebook on Business Starter, 300 on Standard and Plus. Each up to 500,000 words or 200 MB.
3. Ask, then check the page Ask in plain words. Each answer has small numbered citations. Hover one to read the quote. Select it to jump to that spot in your file.

Your first one

Paste it and fill in the parts in square brackets:

"I'm a [your role]. From these sources only, give me the 5 things I most need to know, bottom line first. Cite each one. If the sources don't say, tell me."

It answers from your files only. In Google's words, chat answers "only use data from your sources". Old file in, old answer out, so keep the sources current.

Pick one, build it today

HR: the handbook answers itself

1. New notebook. Add the handbook, the benefits guide and the leave policy.
2. Ask the questions people send you most. Question 2 below.
3. Keep the best answers: press Save to note. The citations stay in.

You get: a plain answer, with the page it's on.

Operations: every contract, one question

1. New notebook. Add every supplier or customer contract.
2. Paste question 4: which ones renew next quarter, and the notice period.
3. Select each citation and read the clause before you call anyone.

You get: one table, the clause behind every line.

The owner: your reports, as a podcast

1. New notebook. Add this month's reports.
2. In the Studio panel, press Audio Overview. Tell it what to focus on (question 9).
3. Listen on the drive in. Then ask the chat about anything you heard.

You get: two AI hosts talking through your own numbers.

The ten questions

Fill in the parts in square brackets. Then select a citation and read the page.

1. First look I'm a [role]. From these sources only, what are the 5 things I most need to know? Cite each one.
2. The handbook An employee asks: [question]. Answer in plain words, under 80 words, with the page. If the handbook doesn't say, say so.
3. What changed Compare [old policy] and [new policy]. Table: topic, before, after, citation.
4. Renewals Which of these contracts renew or end between [date] and [date]? Table: contract, date, notice period, citation.
5. The odd one out Which contract has different [payment terms] from the rest? Quote the clause.
6. Meeting prep Tomorrow I meet [who] about [topic]. Brief me from these files in 6 bullets, with citations.
7. Where they disagree Where do these sources say different things? Quote both sides.
8. New hire FAQ Write the 10 questions a new [role] will ask, each answered from the sources with a citation.
9. Audio Overview focus Studio Focus on [what changed and what I must decide]. I'm the owner and I have [10] minutes.
10. The gaps What can't these sources answer about [topic]? List what's missing.

What a good one looks like

Dana (a made-up example) leads HR at a 400-person manufacturer. The same leave question lands every week. Notice how specific Dana gets.

• Vague: "What's our PTO policy?"
• Specific (question 2, filled in): "An employee asks: can I carry unused PTO into next year? Answer in plain words, under 80 words, with the page. If the handbook doesn't say, say so."

What Dana gets back: yes, up to a set number of hours (Handbook, p. 14). Carried hours must be used by a set date (Handbook, p. 14). Approval goes through the manager first (Leave policy, p. 3). One gap: nothing on part-time staff. Ask payroll. Dana opens p. 14, checks it, and saves the answer as a note for next week.

• Say who's asking. An employee's question gets an employee's answer.
• Ask for the page. So you can check it in one click.
• Ask for the gaps. "If it doesn't say, say so" stops guessing.

Your turn. Make one notebook today with the 3 files people ask you about most. Ask question 1, then open one citation.

What it won't do for you

• It only knows what you give it. Missing file, missing answer. Out-of-date file, out-of-date answer.
• It can still be wrong. Select the citation and read the page before you act on it.
• Your plan sets the limits. Business Starter: 50 sources a notebook, 3 Audio Overviews a day. Standard and Plus: 300 sources, 20 Audio Overviews a day.
• Work account, not personal. The privacy line below is for Google Workspace work accounts. A personal Gmail account runs on different terms.

"Your uploaded files, chats and model outputs won't be reviewed by human reviewers or used to improve generative AI models." Gemini Notebook Help, work and school accounts, checked 10 Oct 2026.

Gemini Notebook, NotebookLM and Google Workspace are trademarks of Google LLC. This is an independent guide, not made or endorsed by Google. Menus change: if a button moved, search the Gemini Notebook Help Center for its name.