You can now ask Gemini to summarize entire Google Drive folders

Google is gradually integrating its Gemini assistant into its applications and services, and the updates continue to arrive. This time, it’s Google Drive’s turn to get a boost with a new feature that uses Gemini to summarize the contents of entire folders.

Gemini can already help summarize documents, extract quick facts, and even analyze PDFs. Now it can extend the convenience to entire folders, adding another layer of efficiency for users juggling multiple files and projects. The recently announced Folder Summary feature allows users to get a quick overview of a folder’s contents via the Gemini side panel.

For now, it will work on non-media file types, like text documents, PDFs, spreadsheets, or presentations. If a folder contains one of these files, you can now preview what’s inside without opening each file individually. Gemini also allows users to ask targeted questions about the contents of a folder, such as:

• “Summarize files in folder @”
• “What is the theme of the content in @-folder”

Here’s how to access the folder summary tools in Google Drive:

• Open a folder and select the “Summarize this folder” option.
• Right-click a folder and choose “Ask Gemini” to start exploring its contents.
• Drag a folder into the Gemini sidebar to trigger a summary.
• Use the side panel text box to mention a specific folder using “@” and request a summary.
• When searching, look for the Gemini icon next to a folder in the results drop-down list to instantly summarize it.

If you don’t see the feature in your Google Drive, it may be because it’s available to Google Workspace customers with certain add-ons, including Gemini Business, Enterprise, Education, and Education Premium, as well as Google One AI. Premium subscribers. The deployment began on December 11, 2024 and will be completed in the next 15 days.

This update comes just after the announcement of the latest iteration of Gemini, Gemini 2.0. As Gemini continues to evolve, it’s clear that Google intends to make it an indispensable companion in its applications.