# Split a large PDF into parts for NotebookLM

Source: https://nlmexporter.com/guides/import/large-pdf-split-to-notebooklm  
Section: Import  
Last verified: November 2026  
Plan: Pro

When a PDF is too large for one NotebookLM source, the book import in NotebookLM Ultra Exporter Pro splits it into smaller PDFs that keep their layout, by bookmarks or by pages if there are none, and imports the parts you select. No OCR is applied.

## Quick facts

| Item | Detail |
| --- | --- |
| Where | Import center, book chapters method |
| Plan | Pro |
| Allowance | Pro only. No extension daily quota; individual tools still have task caps. |
| Data flow | The material you select is sent to Google NotebookLM. Capture reads the source site from your browser. |

## 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. Connect Pro: open the extension's account panel and sign in with the Google account you bought Pro with.
3. Open the import center and choose book chapters.
4. Select the PDF; the original file is not modified.
5. Review the parts, tick the ones to import and submit.

## Limits to know

- Scanned PDFs without a text layer are not made searchable; there is no OCR.
- Splitting follows bookmarks where they exist, otherwise page ranges.
- Google's own limits still apply: sources per notebook, file size and accepted file types are decided by NotebookLM, and Pro does not raise them.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is it free to split a large PDF into parts for NotebookLM?

No. This import method is part of Ultra Exporter Pro. The basic methods (links, pasted text, files, tabs, the current page, RSS and YouTube) are free within 20 imports per day.

### What is the NotebookLM size limit for one source?

Google documents a per-source limit of 500,000 words or 200 MB. A file over either limit must be split.

### How do I know the import finished?

Imports run as background tasks that continue when you switch pages. Submitted means Google received the item; Ready means processing was confirmed. Check the tasks view and retry only the failures.

## Related guides

- [Import research papers into NotebookLM by DOI](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/import/research-papers-doi-to-notebooklm)
- [Import arXiv papers into NotebookLM](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/import/arxiv-papers-to-notebooklm)
- [Import PubMed articles into NotebookLM](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/import/pubmed-articles-to-notebooklm)
- [Bulk upload files and folders to NotebookLM](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/import/local-files-and-folders-to-notebooklm)
- [Import an Obsidian vault into NotebookLM](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/import/obsidian-vault-to-notebooklm)
- [Import Markdown files into NotebookLM](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/import/markdown-files-to-notebooklm)