Updated on August 2, 2026easy, ~2 min
How to Embed Google Drive in Notion
Google Drive is one of the few services Notion connects to properly rather than just embedding. Type /google drive on a page and Notion asks you to authenticate, then lets you search your Drive and insert a linked file that shows its name, owner, and last-edited date. For a live preview of the file's contents instead, set the file's sharing to "Anyone with the link" and paste its URL into an /embed block. The connection is the better default; the embed is for when you want to see the document, not link to it.
Why embed Google Drive in Notion?
- Put a spec, contract, or design file next to the page that discusses it.
- Give a project page one place to find every attached Drive document.
- Preview a file's contents without asking readers to open a second tab.
Is there a Google Drive Notion integration?
Yes, and this is the rare case where the official connection beats the embed. Notion's Google Drive connection authenticates with your Google account, so you can search Drive from inside Notion and drop in a linked file that stays readable to anyone with access. The plain /embed route does something different: it renders the file itself, but only if the file is shared with anyone who has the link.
- Want to find and link files without leaving Notion: use the Google Drive connection, via /google drive.
- Want the document visible on the page: share it link-wide and use /embed instead.
- Working in Notion's desktop app: the connection is the safer choice, since embeds that need a Google login are unreliable there.
How to embed Google Drive in Notion
Connect Drive to Notion (the recommended route)
Type /google drive on a Notion page and press Enter. The first time, Notion prompts you to connect an account. Use the same Google account the file lives in, then search for the file by name and insert it.
Or share the file link-wide for a preview embed
In Drive, open the file, click Share, and set General access to "Anyone with the link". Copy that link. This step is required: a restricted file shows other readers a request-access screen instead of your document.
Paste it into an /embed block
Type /embed on the Notion page, press Enter, paste the Drive link, and click "Embed link". Documents, sheets, slides, PDFs, and images all render a preview.
Resize for the file type
Give documents and PDFs a tall block so a full page is readable without scrolling inside the frame. Images can sit in something much shorter.
Good to know
- The preview embed needs the file shared with anyone who has the link, which makes it readable by anyone who finds that URL.
- Embeds that rely on a Google login do not work reliably in Notion's desktop and mobile apps, which is Notion's own documented limitation. The Drive connection is the more dependable option there.
- You cannot edit the file from inside the embed. Editing happens in Drive, and the changes then appear in Notion.
- Folder embeds render a plain file listing rather than Drive's normal grid view.
Frequently asked questions
How do I connect Google Drive to Notion?
Type /google drive on a page and authenticate when Notion prompts you. After that you can search your Drive from inside Notion and insert linked files directly. This is separate from embedding, which renders the file contents instead.
Can I embed a Google Drive folder in Notion?
Yes. Share the folder so anyone with the link can view, copy its URL, and paste it into an /embed block. The result is a simple list of the folder's contents rather than Drive's usual layout.
Why does my Drive embed say I need access?
The file is still restricted. Open Share in Drive and set General access to "Anyone with the link". Test the result in a private browser window, which is what other people will see.
Can I edit a Drive file from inside Notion?
No. The embed is a preview. Open the file in Drive to edit it, and the Notion embed reflects the change after a refresh.
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