The basics: how to use Gemini

Using Gemini is a conversation, with a few basics worth knowing — including one that's Gemini-specific (referencing your Google data). This lesson covers the fundamentals.

The conversation. Type or speak a request, Gemini responds, and you refine in follow-ups — the first answer is a draft you improve ('shorter,' 'more formal,' 'add an example'). Don't chase a perfect prompt; have a good conversation. Your history syncs across the web app and mobile.

Attaching files and images. Attach documents (PDFs, Word, spreadsheets), images, and more, then ask Gemini to summarize, analyze, or work with them (Module 2). Gemini can also see images you upload and generate images and (on some plans) video.

Referencing your Google data (Gemini-specific). Here's a Gemini superpower even at the basic level: in the Gemini app and Workspace, you can reference your own Google files — using the '@' symbol to pull in a specific Doc, Sheet, or email as context ('summarize @[my document]'). This lets Gemini ground its answers in your actual content, not just what you paste. It's a preview of the Workspace advantage (Module 3).

Key features you'll see. As you use Gemini you'll encounter: the fast and capable models, image generation, Deep Research (thorough reports), Gems (custom assistants), Gemini Live (voice), Canvas (a workspace for drafting), and the Workspace integration (Gemini in your Google apps). Free includes many of these; we'll cover each.

Good first habits. Be clear and specific, iterate (treat responses as drafts), and — importantly — verify anything factual, since Gemini can be confidently wrong (Google itself says 'Gemini can make mistakes, so double-check it' — Module 4).

The takeaway: using Gemini is a conversation — type or speak a request, get a response, and refine in follow-ups (the first answer is a draft), with history syncing across web and mobile. You can attach files and images, and Gemini can see images and generate images/video. A Gemini-specific basic: reference your own Google files with '@' to ground answers in your content (a preview of its Workspace superpower). You'll encounter the models, image generation, Deep Research, Gems, Gemini Live, Canvas, and the Workspace integration as you go. Good first habits: be clear and specific, iterate, and verify anything factual — Google itself says to double-check Gemini.