# Export NotebookLM chat history to plain text

Source: https://nlmexporter.com/guides/export/chat-history-to-txt  
Section: Export  
Last verified: November 2026  
Plan: Free

Yes. To export NotebookLM chat history to plain text, open the chat panel, choose Export and pick plain text. It is free in NotebookLM Ultra Exporter, with no daily quota and no account. You get the conversation as unformatted text that opens anywhere.

## Quick facts

| Item | Detail |
| --- | --- |
| Content | The chat is your question-and-answer conversation with the sources, including its citation markers. |
| Output | plain text (.txt) |
| Plan | Free |
| Where | Export control in the chat panel |
| Processing | Converted in your browser. Nothing is uploaded to export. |

## Steps

1. Install [NotebookLM Ultra Exporter](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/notebooklm-ultra-exporter/afchokljnhhggkhedfbmkcmdagjmjchj) in desktop Chrome, then refresh any open NotebookLM (Gemini Notebook) tab.
2. In the chat panel, click the export control that Ultra Exporter adds, then choose which turns to include and whether to keep citations.
3. Choose **plain text** in the list of outputs and set any options shown for it.
4. Open the downloaded file and check it before you rely on it or share it.

## What you get

You get the conversation as unformatted text that opens anywhere.

Plain text drops tables and heading styles. Choose Markdown if you want to keep structure.

## Limits to know before you export

- Only messages that have loaded in the page can be read. Scroll long conversations to the top before exporting.
- Citations point to the passages NotebookLM cited; they are not full bibliographic references.
- Editing the conversation in a preview before export is a Pro option.

## Can NotebookLM export chat history on its own?

Gemini Notebook saves your chat history but has no export button for it. On its own you can only copy a reply or save it as a note, and inline citations are lost when you copy. Google changes these menus often. The item's own menu in your notebook shows what is built in today.

## Other outputs for chat history

| Output | Plan | Guide |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Markdown (.md) | Free | [Export NotebookLM chat history to Markdown](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/export/chat-history-to-markdown) |
| Word (.docx) | Free daily quota | [Export NotebookLM chat history to Word](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/export/chat-history-to-word) |
| PDF (.pdf) | Free daily quota | [Export NotebookLM chat history to PDF](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/export/chat-history-to-pdf) |
| HTML (.html) | Free | [Export NotebookLM chat history to HTML](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/export/chat-history-to-html) |
| JSON (.json) | Free | [Export NotebookLM chat history to JSON](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/export/chat-history-to-json) |
| LaTeX (.tex) | Free | [Export NotebookLM chat history to LaTeX](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/export/chat-history-to-latex) |

## Frequently asked questions

### Is it free to export NotebookLM chat history to plain text?

Yes. It is a basic format with no daily export quota, no account and no payment card. Free batches are limited to 5 items.

### When is plain text better than Markdown?

When the destination does not understand Markdown, such as a ticketing system, a form field or a plain email.

### Does NotebookLM keep my chat history?

Gemini Notebook now saves chat history to your account, but it still offers no way to download it. Exporting gives you a file you control.

### Can I export all the chats in a notebook at once?

A chat is exported as one file containing the turns you select. To capture the chats of a whole notebook together with its notes and Studio outputs, use the whole-notebook archive.

## Related guides

- [Export NotebookLM chat history to JSON](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/export/chat-history-to-json)
- [Export NotebookLM chat history to LaTeX](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/export/chat-history-to-latex)
- [Export NotebookLM chat history to Markdown](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/export/chat-history-to-markdown)
- [Export NotebookLM chat history to Word](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/export/chat-history-to-word)
- [Export NotebookLM chat history to PDF](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/export/chat-history-to-pdf)
- [Export NotebookLM chat history to HTML](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/export/chat-history-to-html)