Attaching files to chats

Bring your files into conversations so the AI can read and work with them. Mention files by name, paste images, or drag documents straight into the chat 📎

@mention files

Type @ in your message to open a file search. Start typing the name of the file you want to reference, then select it from the results.

The file's content is included in the AI's context for that message, so the AI can read, analyze, and answer questions about it.

You can mention multiple files in the same message. The AI sees all of them and can compare, summarize, or work across them.

Mention a folder to bring in the files inside it in one step, instead of adding each file by hand. See Mentions for everything you can reference.

Paste images

Copy an image to your clipboard, then press Cmd+Vin the chat input. The image is attached to your message automatically.

This works with screenshots, photos, diagrams, any image format. The AI can describe what it sees, extract text, or answer questions about the image.

Drag and drop

Drag files from your Drive directly into the chat input area. The files attach to your next message.

You can also drag files from your desktop into the chat. They upload and attach in one step.

How AI reads files

When you reference a file, the AI receives a snapshot of the file's content at that moment. If you edit the file later, the AI's copy in that message doesn't change.

To share an updated version of a file, mention it again in a new message. The AI always gets the latest content when you create a new reference.

When the AI can't see an attachment

Not every model can read every kind of file. If you attach an image to a model without vision, or audio or video to one that cannot process it, the AI receives a placeholder that names the attachment instead of its content.

Switch to a model that supports that media and mention the file again, and the AI reads it directly.

Large text pastes

Pasting a large amount of text into the chat input? It's automatically converted into a structured attachment so the AI can process it cleanly.

This keeps your message readable while still giving the AI access to the full content. You'll see the attachment appear below your message input.

Using @mentions and references

Reference files, folders, agents, chats, knowledge bases, and tasks in your messages with @mentions.

Drive: files and folders

Upload, organize, and manage files in your Drive with folders, pinning, search, and storage limits.

Up next

File versions and history

Every edit keeps the previous version, so you can browse a file's history and roll it back.

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