Important: Instructions for Gemini in Google Workspace are separate from and do not sync with instructions in Gemini Apps. Learn about instructions for Gemini Apps.
When you add instructions in your personalization settings, you can get tailored, relevant responses in:
- Chat
- Docs
- Drive
- Gmail
- Slides
For example, when you add instructions, Gemini can adapt its response to your:
- Role: “When helping me write lesson plans, remember the class is high-school level.”
- Preferred tone: “Remember to use a professional but enthusiastic tone for my document.”
- Content: “Always include cost estimations when helping me write a proposal.”
- Format: “Always summarize my files in bullet points.”
What you need
- For personal Google Accounts:
- You must have an eligible Google AI plan:
- You can also use personalization settings if your account is enrolled in Google Workspace Experiments, which is a trusted tester program to try new AI features. Learn how to get started with Google Workspace Experiments.
- For work or school accounts: You need an eligible Google Workspace plan. Learn more about Gemini features and plans.
How instructions work
- Instructions are on by default in your personalization settings. You can turn them off at any time.
- Instructions are shared across eligible Workspace products. For example, if you add instructions in Gemini in Gmail, it carries over to Gemini in Docs, Gemini in Slides, and others.
- You can add up to 1,000 instructions.
- To check if your instructions are used in a response:
- Below the response, select Sources.
- Under “Personalization settings,” find your instructions. Learn how to use sources with Google Workspace with Gemini.
Add instructions for Gemini
Add instructions when you chat with GeminiWhen you use instructional phrases, Gemini automatically saves the instruction to your settings. For example, you can say:
- "From now on, always use short sentences in your responses.”
- "In the future, remember that I prefer summaries in a list format.”
Important: You can add instructions through personalization settings in Docs, Drive, Gmail, and Slides. In Ask Gemini in Chat, you can only add instructions when you chat with Gemini.
- On your computer, open a Google Workspace app, like Docs or Gmail.
- At the top right, select Ask Gemini
.
- At the top left of the Gemini side panel, select Menu
Settings
- Select Add.
- Enter your instructions.
- Select Save.
.
Settings Turn your instructions on or off
Important: When off, Gemini provides standard responses. Your saved instructions remain in the list but are not used or deleted.
Turn instructions on or off in Docs, Drive, Gmail & Slides- On your computer, open a Google Workspace app, like Docs or Gmail.
- At the top right, select Ask Gemini
- At the top left of the Gemini side panel, select Menu
- At the top, turn Your instructions for Gemini in Workspace on
or off
.
or off 
.- In Google Chat, open Ask Gemini
- In the message box, type
/settings. - Turn Have Gemini in Workspace use your instructions on
Delete instructions
Important: After you delete an instruction, it’s permanent and can’t be undone.
Delete instructions in Docs, Drive, Gmail & Slides- On your computer, open a Google Workspace app, like Docs or Gmail.
- At the top right, click Ask Gemini
- At the top left of the Gemini side panel, select Menu
- To remove specific instructions: Next to the instruction, select Delete
.
- To remove all instructions when you have at least 10 instructions: Select Delete all.
- To remove specific instructions: Next to the instruction, select Delete
.- In Google Chat, open Ask Gemini
- In the message box, type
/settings. - At the bottom, select Edit instructions.
- Next to an instruction, select the checkbox.
- Select Delete selected instructions.