Google Drive Connection
Connect Google Drive to sync the files you pick and enable scoped file and folder lookup for your AI agent
Google Drive Connection#
Connect Google Drive to sync the files you pick for knowledge and enable scoped file lookup during conversations. AlonChat only ever sees the individual files you choose through the Google Picker -- it does not browse or read your whole Drive. Your agent can return existing Google Drive links for files or folders it has been granted.
Why Connect Google Drive?#
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Auto-sync | Changes in Drive automatically update your AI's knowledge |
| No re-uploads | Edit files in Drive, AI stays current |
| Collaboration | Team members can contribute to knowledge |
| Organization | Use Drive's folder structure |
| Spreadsheet sources | Link Google Sheets or Excel files as knowledge or structured data |
Connecting Your Account#
Step 1: Navigate to Connections#
- Go to your agent dashboard
- Click Settings > Connections
- Find Google Drive in the list
Step 2: Authorize Access#
- Click Connect
- Sign in with your Google account
- Review permissions requested
- Click Allow
Permissions Needed#
AlonChat uses Google's per-file drive.file scope. This grants access only to the specific files
you pick through the Google Picker -- not your whole Drive, and not Drive metadata or folder
browsing.
- Access only the files you select via the Google Picker
- Keep the connection active with refresh access
For knowledge syncing, only files you explicitly pick are processed.
For Drive actions, you can limit access to a root folder in Drive settings. Most actions only return links, but a public-link share action can change a file's sharing visibility (see Sharing and Permissions).
Picking Files#
After connecting:
- Go to Sources > Google Drive
- Click Pick from Drive to open the Google Picker
- Select the files you want in the Picker
- Confirm to link them
Each file you pick is granted to AlonChat individually through the Picker. Files you do not pick stay private.
Supported File Types#
| Type | Extensions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Documents | Google Docs, .docx, .pdf | Text extracted automatically |
| Spreadsheets | Google Sheets, .xlsx | Can be linked as knowledge or imported as structured data |
| Presentations | Google Slides, .pptx | Supported when available in your Drive source workflow |
| Text | .txt, .md, .csv | Imported as-is |
Syncing Behavior#
Automatic Sync#
- Linked files are checked for updates periodically
- Modified files are re-processed automatically
- Deleted files are removed from knowledge base
Manual Sync#
- Go to Sources > Google Drive
- Click Sync Now button
- Wait for processing to complete
Spreadsheet Configuration#
For Google Sheets and Excel files, configure:
Header Row#
Select which row contains column headers.
Sheet Selection#
Choose which sheets to include.
Column Mapping#
Map columns to data types:
- Question columns
- Answer columns
- Category columns
- Metadata columns
Chunk Format#
Choose how rows are processed:
- Key-Value -- Each row as Q&A pair
- CSV -- Preserve full structure
- JSON -- Structured data format
Managing Connection#
View Connected Files#
- Go to Sources > Google Drive
- See all linked files with status
- Click any file for details
Disconnect a File#
- Select the file(s)
- Click Unlink
- Confirm removal
Disconnect Entirely#
- Go to Settings > Connections
- Find Google Drive
- Click Disconnect
- Confirm (this removes all linked files)
Sharing and Permissions#
Drive Actions#
Google Drive actions can return file and folder links for items AlonChat is authorized to access. If you enable public link sharing on a Drive share action, AlonChat will set that file or folder to "anyone with the link can view" before sending the link. Google Workspace admin policies can still block public sharing. Drive actions do not invite people by email.
Personal Drive Files#
Your own files are accessible immediately.
Shared Drive Files#
- You must have "Viewer" access minimum
- AlonChat inherits your access level
- If your access changes, sync may fail
Organizational Drives#
Check with your IT admin -- some organizations restrict API access.
Troubleshooting#
"Access denied" error#
- Re-authorize the connection
- Check file sharing permissions
- Ensure file still exists
Files not syncing#
- Click Sync Now to force update
- Check last sync time
- Verify file hasn't been moved/deleted
"Token expired" message#
- Disconnect and reconnect Google Drive
- Re-authorize with fresh login
Best Practices#
- Use dedicated folders -- Organize AI knowledge in specific folders
- Name files clearly -- Descriptive names help management
- Version control -- Drive's history helps track changes
- Review regularly -- Check sync status weekly
- Clean up -- Unlink files no longer needed