Create your first project and prompt in NotebookLM?

Questions

• How do I create a new notebook in NotebookLM?
• How do I add sources to a NotebookLM notebook?
• What types of sources can I upload to NotebookLM?
• How do I ask my first question in NotebookLM?
• How do I save a useful AI response as a note?
• How many sources can I add to one notebook?

Environment

This article applies to all current Bowdoin College faculty, staff, and students. It assumes you are already signed in to NotebookLM with your Bowdoin Google account. If you have not yet signed in, see Accessing NotebookLM using a Bowdoin College account in the Related Articles section.

Resolution

Create a new notebook

1. From the NotebookLM home screen, click Create New Notebook.
   
2. A new untitled notebook opens and prompts you to add sources.

Add sources

Sources are the documents NotebookLM will draw on when generating responses. You can add up to 50 sources per notebook.

1. In your notebook, click the Add Sources button in the Sources panel on the left side of the screen.
   
2. Choose a source type:
   • Files — upload PDFs, images, Word documents, audio files, spreadsheets, and other common formats
   • Web URL — paste a link to a public web page (NotebookLM will retrieve the page content)
   • YouTube URL — paste a link to a YouTube video that has available captions
3. After uploading or linking a source, NotebookLM processes the document. A brief summary of each source appears in the Sources panel once processing is complete.
4. Repeat to add additional sources as needed.

Write your first prompt

1. Once your sources have been processed, click the chat input field at the bottom of the screen.
2. Type a question or instruction related to your uploaded sources. For example:
   • "Summarize the key findings from all of my uploaded sources."
   • "What are the main differences between the arguments in Source 1 and Source 2?"
   • "Create a list of discussion questions based on this reading."
   • "Explain the methodology described in the uploaded PDF in simpler terms."
3. Press Enter or click the Send button.
4. NotebookLM generates a response drawn from your uploaded materials. Inline citations (numbered markers) appear within the response — click any citation number to jump to the specific passage in the original source.

Save and organise notes

• To save a useful response, click the Pin icon (or Save to note) on the response. Saved notes appear in the Notes panel on the right side of the screen.
• To write your own note, click Add note in the Notes panel and type directly.
• Give each note a clear, descriptive title to keep your notebook organised as it grows.

Additional Help

If you need further assistance, you have several options:

• Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
• Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
• In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
• Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.