How to Download Sources from NotebookLM (Now Gemini Notebook)

You uploaded PDFs, pasted notes, added websites and YouTube links to a notebook, and now you want those sources back on your computer. You look for a Download button and there isn't one. This guide explains what is and isn't possible in October 2026, and walks you through the methods that actually work.

First, a quick note on the name: NotebookLM is now Gemini Notebook

On July 16, 2026, Google announced that NotebookLM is being renamed Gemini Notebook. According to Google, it remains the same standalone research tool, now more connected to the Gemini app and Google Search. Existing notebooks and shared links continue to work through redirects, and the new name and logo were rolled out gradually over several weeks.

That matters for this tutorial because you may see either name in menus, help articles and search results. Everything below applies to both. When you read "NotebookLM" here, think "Gemini Notebook" too.

Why there is no "Download source" button

NotebookLM was designed as a place to work with your sources, not as a file storage service. When you add a source, the tool processes it so the AI can read it, quote it and cite it. Some sources live elsewhere anyway:

• Google Docs, Slides and other Drive files stay in your Google Drive. NotebookLM keeps a synced copy, and Google's help center explains that Drive sources sync automatically and can be refreshed manually.
• Websites and YouTube videos are imported as text (for example, page content or a transcript). The original page or video is still on the web.
• Uploaded files (PDFs, text files, audio, EPUB and so on) are the ones people most often want back, especially if the original copy was deleted from their computer.

Because of this, the right method depends on what kind of source you need to recover.

Method 1: Export everything with Google Takeout (official)

Google Takeout is Google's official tool for downloading a copy of your data from Google products. It is the most complete way to get your notebook content out, and it does not require any third-party software.

Step-by-step

1. Go to takeout.google.com and sign in with the same Google account you use for NotebookLM / Gemini Notebook.
2. Click Deselect all so you don't export your entire Google account.
3. Scroll down the product list and tick NotebookLM (it may appear as Gemini Notebook after the rename).
4. Click Next step, choose a delivery method (for example, a download link by email) and a file type (.zip is the easiest).
5. Click Create export. Small exports can be ready in minutes; large ones can take longer. Google emails you when it's ready.
6. Download the archive, unzip it, and open the folder for your notebook. Your sources are organized inside the notebook's folder.

What you get

Google's Workspace documentation for exporting notebook data lists the following: chat history (excluding deleted chats), generated Audio Overviews, uploaded content and generated notes. In practice, the folder structure and file formats can change over time, so open the archive and check before you delete anything from your notebook.

Method 2: Download the original from Google Drive

If your source was a Google Doc, Google Slides presentation or another file you imported from Drive, the original is still in your Drive (unless you deleted it). This is the fastest method and gives you the real file, not a converted copy.

1. Open the notebook and click the source in the Sources panel to see its title.
2. Open Google Drive and search for that title.
3. Right-click the file and choose Download. Google Docs are converted to formats like .docx or PDF during download.

Note that Google's help center says that if you lose access to a Drive file or it is deleted, the source becomes inaccessible in the notebook. So if you plan to clean up Drive, export first.

Method 3: Copy the text from the source viewer

For a single short source, the quickest fix is often manual. Click the source in the Sources panel to open it, select the text, and copy it into a document. This works well for pasted text, short web pages and transcripts. It is not practical for long PDFs, and you will lose original formatting such as images and layout.

You can also ask the notebook's chat to help you, for example:

List the main sections of the source "Annual report 2025" with a one-paragraph summary of each. Use only that source.

Remember that a summary is not the original document. Use it for notes, not as a replacement for the file.

Method 4: Get web and YouTube sources from their original location

If you added a website or a YouTube video, the "source" in your notebook is mostly extracted text. To keep a permanent copy of a web page, open the original URL and use your browser's Print → Save as PDF. For YouTube, the original video stays on YouTube. Keep the link in a document so you can find it again.

Downloading what NotebookLM created (Studio outputs)

Many people searching for "download from NotebookLM" actually want the things the tool generated. The good news: these do have download options.

Google's help pages also note that, depending on publisher restrictions, you may not be able to download outputs generated from a notebook that uses a Play Books ebook as a source.

Want to go further? See our guides on making a PowerPoint with NotebookLM and creating a podcast-style Audio Overview.

What about Chrome extensions?

Several third-party Chrome extensions add an "export sources" button to the notebook page. Some export a JSON or ZIP file containing the parsed text of each source. They can be convenient, but keep three things in mind:

• They are not made by Google. They can break whenever the interface changes.
• They need access to your data. Read the permissions and privacy policy before installing, and avoid them for confidential, client or work documents.
• They usually export text, not the original file. A parsed PDF is not the same as the original PDF with its images and layout.

For most people, Google Takeout plus Google Drive covers everything without the extra risk.

A simple backup habit (so you never need this again)

The best way to "download" sources is to never lose the originals in the first place:

1. Keep originals in a Drive folder. Create one folder per notebook and upload the files there first. Then add them to the notebook from Drive.
2. Save a source list. Keep a simple document with the title and URL of every web and YouTube source.
3. Run Takeout every few months for notebooks that matter, such as thesis research or a client project.
4. Download Studio outputs you plan to share, because regenerating them may give a different result.

Troubleshooting

I can't find NotebookLM in Google Takeout

Make sure you are signed in to the right account (check the profile picture at the top right). After the rename, look for Gemini Notebook as well as NotebookLM. On work or school accounts, the product may be hidden by your administrator.

The export is missing a source

Check whether the source was a Drive file you no longer have access to, or a web page that failed to import. Re-add it if needed, then export again.

The archive is huge

Audio and video outputs make exports large. Choose a larger split size (for example, 10 GB) in Takeout so you get fewer files, and use a stable internet connection.

Summary

NotebookLM / Gemini Notebook still doesn't offer a "download source" button, but you are not locked in. Use Google Takeout for a full export, Google Drive for Drive-based files, quick copy-paste for short text, and the Studio download options for Audio Overviews, Video Overviews and slide decks. Build a small backup habit and you will always have your research safe.

Frequently asked questions