# Add long pasted text to NotebookLM as sources

Source: https://nlmexporter.com/guides/import/pasted-text-to-notebooklm  
Section: Import  
Last verified: November 2026  
Plan: Free

To add notes, excerpts or a transcript, paste the text into the NotebookLM Ultra Exporter import center. It adds the text as a source, splitting very long content into parts or merging several texts into fewer sources. It is free, within 20 imports per day.

## Quick facts

| Item | Detail |
| --- | --- |
| Where | Import center, pasted text method |
| Plan | Free |
| Allowance | Free: 20 successful source imports per local day, up to 5 per batch. Pro removes both limits. |
| 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. Open the import center and choose pasted text.
3. Paste the content and name the source.
4. Choose split or merge options if offered, confirm the target notebook and submit.

## Limits to know

- NotebookLM has a per-source size limit; very long text is split.
- Text sources have no link back to an original page unless you include it.
- 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 add long pasted text to NotebookLM as sources?

Yes. It is a basic import method. Free allows 20 successful source imports per local day and 5 items per batch; Pro removes both limits.

### Why split a long text?

NotebookLM limits how large one source can be. Splitting keeps every part within that limit.

### 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

- [Schedule recurring imports into NotebookLM](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/import/scheduled-import-recipes-to-notebooklm)
- [Bulk import a list of URLs into NotebookLM](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/import/bulk-urls-to-notebooklm)
- [Import an RSS feed into NotebookLM](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/import/rss-feed-to-notebooklm)
- [Import sources into NotebookLM from a CSV list](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/import/csv-list-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)