How to create note in Google NotebookLM

Researching a broad topic often leads to juggling numerous tabs for information gathering and note-taking. Google’s AI tool, NotebookLM, streamlines this process by enabling easy analysis and synthesis of data from multiple sources. Discover how to use Google NotebookLM to create, organize, and summarize findings efficiently for enhanced productivity.

Google NotebookLM is an AI tool designed to streamline research processes. It summarizes data, defines keywords, generates ideas, and organizes thoughts efficiently. Particularly useful for topics with diverse sources, it aids in creating comprehensive articles by consolidating ideas.

Compatible with various sources like Google Docs, PDFs, and copied text, NotebookLM extracts and processes content, providing relevant answers. Users can organize multiple notes within a notebook, merge information from different notes, and create outlines or study guides based on available data.

Create a notebook on Google NotebookLM

1. Visit notebooklm.google.com in a web browser and sign in with your Google account. Currently available to individuals in the US aged 18 and above. VPN use connected to a US server might also grant access.
2. Once on the NotebookLM homepage, click “New Notebook.”
3. Enter your preferred title for the project in the “Project Title” text box and click “Save.”
4. Your new notebook is now ready. Begin by uploading sources, posing questions, and taking notes.

Add a new note in Google NotebookLM

Method 1: Creating a note from scratch

1. Open an existing notebook in Google NotebookLM.
2. Click “Add note” at the top right corner of the page.
3. The new note will appear in the Notes section labeled as “Written Note.”
4. To input content, click the note and type or paste text from other sources.
5. After adding content, click outside the note to finalize.
6. The note will now hold the added content.

Method 2: Saving a model response as a new note in Google NotebookLM

1. Access an existing notebook in Google NotebookLM.
2. Enter queries in the chat box to generate outlines, summaries, or relevant content based on added sources.
3. After receiving a response, click the Pin button atop the desired response.
4. The pinned content will appear as a new note labeled “Saved Response” in the Notes section. You can use the Pin button on previous responses to create additional notes.

Method 3: Saving a key topic from a source to a note in Google NotebookLM

1. Access an existing notebook in Google NotebookLM.
2. Choose a source from the “Sources” panel to generate topics and responses.
3. Within the expanded source, find the “Source guide” section displaying summaries and Key Topics. Click on a desired topic to generate a response.
4. NotebookLM will create a response based on the selected topic. To add this to a new note, click the Pin button on the response.
5. The pinned content will appear as a new note labeled “Saved Response” in the Notes section.

Method 4: Using existing notes to create a new note in Google NotebookLM

1. Access an existing notebook in Google NotebookLM.
2. In the Notes section, check the boxes beside the existing notes you want to merge (up to 25 at a time).
3. After selecting the notes, click either the “Combine notes” or “Create study guide” button on the bottom toolbar. Alternatively, request NotebookLM to generate a combined response based on the selected notes and pin the generated response to create a new note.
4. The combined note, labeled “Saved Response,” will be automatically titled and added to the Notes section.

Current Limitations of Google NotebookLM

• Google NotebookLM is currently available for free during its testing phase, accessible to users in the US.
• Notes per notebook: Up to 1000 notes per notebook, including manually created, typed, pasted, or saved from generated responses.
• Number of notebooks: Limited to 100 notebooks per Google account in NotebookLM, allowing users to segregate various projects.
• Maximum sources per notebook: Users can add up to 20 sources in various formats like Google Docs, PDFs, or copied text. Each source should be within a limit of 200,000 words, with these restrictions subject to potential changes for an optimized user experience over time.

Reference: Sources – Help (google.com)