> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.contextual.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Google Drive

> Connect your Google Drive documents to Contextual AI

## Connecting Google Drive

Log in through the Contextual AI UI and follow these steps to configure Google Drive as a data source.

### 1. Set Data Source Name & Type

* Click **Datastores** in the left-hand pane, followed by the **Create** button in the top right.
* Give your datastore a unique name, then select **Third-Party Connection** as the method for adding content to your datastore. Click the **Next** button.
* On the **Connection Setup** page, you can **set up auto top-off** to automatically add credits when low, or click **Skip for now** to bypass this step.

<Note>
  **Note:** Auto top-off is recommended in [On Demand mode](https://docs.contextual.ai/user-guides/billing) to prevent ingestions from failing halfway if you use up your balance.
</Note>

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### 2. Review Access Levels & Set Account Type

* Click the **Connect** button next to **Google Drive**.
* Confirm Contextual AI's read/write access levels and review the end user terms. Click **Next** to continue.
* Select your **Account Type**:
  **Admin account (read-only)** - You are setting up a connection for your organization and have admin access to your data source.
  **User account (read-only)** - You are setting up a personal connection or do not have admin access to your data source.

<Note>
  Please [refer to this link](https://help.merge.dev/articles/9280406-why-are-specific-scopes-needed-for-file-storage-integrations) for a full list of permissions you need for admin authorization.
</Note>

* Click **Open window** to authorize your account.

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### 3. Authorize Connection & Sync Settings

* In the pop-up window, select the account for authorizing the connection.
* Click **Continue** to authorize the connection.

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### 4. Configure Sync Settings

Contextual AI offers two ways to sync your data. You can choose to sync all your files or only specific folders in Google Drive.

#### Sync Options

* **Share all files** - Grants access to all content in your Google Drive.
* **Share specific folders** - Restricts access to only the folders you select.

To share specific folders:

* Hover over the folder and check the box to select it.
* You can click into a folder to view its contents, but note that **only folders**—not individual files—can be selected.
* Select one or multiple folders as needed.
* Click **Confirm** to finalize your selections, then click **Next** once setup is complete.

You can review or edit your connection (for example, to choose a different folder) on the confirmation page. Click **Finish** to continue.

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### 5. Create Datastore & Start Sync

You’re now ready to start syncing your data. Click **Create** to initialize your connection and create your datastore.

You’ll be redirected to your **Datastore** page, where the **Syncing Metadata** status will appear. During this stage, Contextual AI syncs your file metadata, users, and groups.

Once metadata syncing is complete, ingestion will begin automatically and the status will update to **Processing**.

<Note>
  **Note:** The syncing process is typically quick, but may take a few hours if you have a large number of files, users, or groups.<br /><br />You can begin using your datastore while syncing continues, but you’ll only have access to the documents that have already been ingested.
</Note>

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You can check the progress bar to track how many documents remain to be processed.

Once all documents finish ingesting, you’ll see a **green checkmark** indicating that your datastore is ready to use.