Research from your own files: how to do it with AI
Last checked 2026-10-15
IntermediateBot with human review 🔎 Research
Research grounded in your email/Drive alongside the web.
1. Bot automation level
Bot with human review The bot does the work, but facts, numbers or code should be checked.
2. Before you hand it to the bot
- Gather inputs: files, data samples, links and any templates.
- Access: make sure you can use the chosen bot/plan (see limits below).
- Context: tell the bot audience, purpose, constraints and examples of good output.
- Privacy check: remove personal, confidential or regulated data unless your plan/workspace is approved for it.
- Success criteria: write down what 'done' looks like (length, format, tests passing, fields filled).
3. Copy-paste prompts
Main prompt
Using my Drive and the web, summarize everything about Project Atlas.
Beginner-friendly
Using my Drive and the web, summarize everything about Project Atlas. I'm new to this: explain each step in plain words and ask me for anything you need before starting.
Check-your-work
Using my Drive and the web, summarize everything about Project Atlas. When you finish, list any assumptions you made, anything you're unsure about, and what I should double-check before using the result.
Free tiers that can handle this (verified): Google Gemini, ChatGPT (incl. Work & Codex), Claude (incl. Claude Code). Others: check plan.
4. Step-by-step
- Open a bot from the list below (use a Project/Canvas/Artifact if available to keep context).
- Upload or paste your inputs and the prompt below.
- Ask the bot to state assumptions and show its work (sources, formulas or code).
- Review the first output; give specific corrections in a follow-up.
- Verify key facts, numbers or behaviour against your source data.
- Export or copy the final version and note what you'd reuse next time.
5. Which bots and plans can do it
| Tool | What's different here | Plan limits | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Gemini | — | Free tier includes Deep Research, Canvas, Gems; video generation needs AI Plus or higher. | gemini.google/overview/deep-research/ |
| ChatGPT (incl. Work & Codex) | — | Free tier has limited deep research, Codex and Work; scheduled tasks need Go or higher (per chatgpt.com/pricing). | help.openai.com/en/articles/20001275-chatgpt-work-and-codex |
| Claude (incl. Claude Code) | — | Claude Code and Research need Pro or higher; computer use is Pro/Max only (research preview). | code.claude.com/docs/en/desktop |
Free or paid?
- Google Gemini: Free plan: yes. Flash-Lite model, image generation, Deep Research, Live, Canvas, Gems. Video needs AI Plus or higher. Paid: the lowest price we could verify on the official pricing page is $99.99/month (other plans may exist). Its free tier can handle this task.
- ChatGPT (incl. Work & Codex): Free plan: yes. unlimited text chats; limited uploads, images, voice, deep research and Codex. Paid: price not verified, so check the official site. Its free tier can handle this task.
- Claude (incl. Claude Code): Free plan: yes. chat, web search, files & code execution, Artifacts, connectors. Claude Code and Research need Pro. Paid: the lowest price we could verify on the official pricing page is $20/month (other plans may exist). Its free tier can handle this task.
6. Risks and what to double-check
- Open the cited sources; AI can misquote or cite outdated pages.
- AI can hallucinate facts — verify anything that matters.
- Don't share secrets or other people's personal data.