Ask Your Spec Sheets Questions with Gemini Notebook

1. For each product, download the manufacturer's spec sheet, care and maintenance guide and warranty from the manufacturer's own website.
2. Rename each file so the product is obvious, for example "Harbor Lounge Chair - spec sheet".
3. Put all files for one comparison in a single folder.

What you should see: A folder of clearly named PDFs. Troubleshooting: Some manufacturers only publish specs on a web page. Gemini Notebook accepts websites as sources, so keep the link. Others require a login. Do not upload documents from a trade portal unless the portal's terms allow it.

1. In a browser, go to Gemini Notebook from your Google Account.
2. Create a new notebook.
3. Name it for the comparison, such as "Lounge chair options". Do not use a client name or address.

What you should see: An empty notebook with a place to add sources and a chat box. Troubleshooting: If the product does not appear for your account, it may not be offered in your country or for your workspace account. Ask your Google administrator.

Google describes Gemini Notebook as accepting PDFs, websites, YouTube videos, audio files, Google Docs and Google Slides.

1. Choose the option to add a source.
2. Upload the PDFs from your folder, or paste the manufacturer's web page link.
3. Wait until every source shows as ready before you ask anything.

What you should see: A list of your sources in the notebook. Troubleshooting: If a scanned PDF is a picture of text, results can be thin or wrong. Use the manufacturer's digital version where one exists.

Narrow questions get answers you can check.

1. Click into the chat box.
2. Ask one question about one product, naming the document you expect the answer in.
3. Read the answer and the numbered citations beside each statement.

What you should see: An answer built from your sources, with in-line citations that point to passages. Troubleshooting: If an answer has no citation, treat it as unsupported and ask again with "Answer only from the sources and cite the passage."

This step is the point of the whole setup.

1. Click each citation in the answer.
2. Read the cited passage in the source itself.
3. Confirm that the passage says what the answer claims, including units, finish names and conditions.

What you should see: The source text highlighted or shown beside the answer. Troubleshooting: If the passage says something different, trust the passage and note the mismatch.

Once the facts check out, ask the notebook to build a comparison from what the sources actually say.

1. Paste the "Comparison table" prompt from the template section.
2. Check each cell against its citation.
3. Copy the table into your own selection document, adding your own notes.

What you should see: A table with "not stated in sources" wherever a spec sheet is silent. Troubleshooting: If cells are filled with guesses, repeat the instruction that missing information must be marked, not inferred.