In NotebookLM, including NotebookLM Plus, when you upload multiple Sources into a Notebook, you may notice that the Summary displayed in Centrestage* initially reflects only the first uploaded Source. This is due to a current syncing limitation.
NotebookLM Hack for Syncing Sources
Fortunately, there’s a simple fix: refreshing your browser.
However, this workaround comes with an important consideration: you will lose any unsaved Chats when refreshing the browser. Only the AI responses in Chat can be saved as Notes, while your input (questions you ask AI or clarifications you provide to AI in Chat) cannot be retained. It’s up to you to decide which responses are worth keeping, as unsaved responses will disappear irreversibly when the browser is refreshed.
At the same time, NotebookLM includes a Refresh button within Centrestage that serves a completely different purpose.
The Summary and auto-generated Notebook title are influenced by a Wikipedia article that was since removed. There is no reference to the current Sources.
NotebookLM Source Syncing Bug
The issue with syncing the Summary to uploaded Sources affects users in another way: if the first-added Source is removed, Centrestage will still display the Summary for that deleted Source. This ‘ghost Summary’ can be particularly frustrating for users.
Position of the Refresh button in a Notebook. The button will be visible only when there is an active Source and and a Chat response. This button does not refresh Sources.
For more detailed guidance on ensuring seamless syncing of your Sources without the need to reupload, we recommend reading the article How to Sync Sources in NotebookLM with Google Docs and Slides. This comprehensive guide provides valuable insights into managing updates effectively and making the most of the integration between NotebookLM and Google’s tools.
Introducing the Refresh Button in Centrestage
If you interact with the AI in Centrestage using the input box, you will notice a Refresh button located at the top right-hand corner of the Chat interface.
What the Refreh Button Does:
- Clicking the refresh button clears the Chat interface and irreversibly removes any unsaved AI responses.
What It Does Not Do:
- It does not update the Summary.
- It does not sync newly added Sources.
To avoid losing valuable AI responses, save them as Notes before clicking this button, as they cannot be recovered once cleared.
How to Resolve NotebookLM Source Syncing Issues in 3 Steps
If you notice that only the first uploaded Source appears in the Summary, follow these steps:
Step 1: Add Your Sources
Upload your content as usual. You will see the Source count immediately update on the top left of the Summary (e.g., 6 Sources, 9 Sources, etc.). However, the Summary itself will not reflect the newly added Sources.
Step 2: Save Chat Responses Before Refreshing
Only AI responses can be saved as Notes. Your input cannot be retained. Review each response as it appears and save the ones you wish to keep. If you refresh the browser or clear the Chat interface without saving, these responses will be lost irreversibly.
Step 3: Refresh the Browser
To update the Summary and ensure all newly added Sources are reflected in Centrestage, refresh your browser. NotebookLM will reanalyse the Sources and adapt the Summary dynamically based on what it considers most significant.
The Summary accurately reflects the currently available Sources. However, the Notebook title, influenced by the previously uploaded Wikipedia article (which has since been removed), continues to persist.
What Happens to the Summary After Refreshing?
The Summary has finite space to express the contents of your uploaded Sources. To manage this limitation, NotebookLM dynamically adapts how it describes each Source, prioritising the most significant content. However, the Notebook title that was auto-generated, if it was influenced by the first uploaded document, will remain the same unless manually changed.
For example:
- If a primary document is detailed and significant, the Summary might state:
“The main source details the user’s experience in travelling to Saint Petersburg…” - For a secondary document considered less relevant, it might note:
“A secondary, very short source (‘Pasted text’) is an example and provides no relevant information for this overview.” - If there are multiple Sources, the Summary might start with a broader overview like:
“The provided texts cover diverse topics. One describes the user’s experience in Saint Petersburg, while another provides minimal information for this overview.”
This adaptive approach ensures key insights are prioritised, while less relevant content is downplayed to save space.
Why the Summary Is Important
The Summary serves as a quick, high-level overview of your Notebook. This becomes invaluable when managing multiple Notebooks, as it helps you quickly identify the overall content without opening or scrolling through individual Sources.
To enhance navigation, NotebookLM now names each Source file automatically within the Summary, regardless of the file’s original name. This ensures clarity when working with multiple documents.
Conclusion
Key Difference Between Refreshing the Browser and the Refresh Button
Here’s a clear comparison between the two:
- Refreshing the Browser:
- Updates the Summary.
- Syncs newly added Sources so they appear in Centrestage.
- Refresh Button in Centrestage:
- Clears the Chat interface.
- Removes unsaved AI responses irreversibly.
- Does not update the Summary or sync Sources.
Use the browser refresh to resolve syncing issues and the Refresh button only when you want to reset the Chat window.
While NotebookLM’s syncing functionality is still evolving, refreshing the browser is an effective workaround to ensure all newly added Sources are reflected in the Summary. The Summary itself adapts to the limited available space, prioritising the main Sources and providing a concise overview.
By understanding the difference between the browser refresh and the Refresh button, you can make the most of NotebookLM’s capabilities while managing current limitations seamlessly.
*Centrestage is the name this panel badly deserves. While Google currently calls it Chat, the panel is far more than just a chat window. It’s where deep analysis, exploration, and insights take the spotlight.
