If you have ever struggled to visualize complex data or simply want a better way to digest the information stored in your notes, NotebookLM has introduced a powerful new feature. You can now generate professional-quality infographics in just a few seconds, transforming your text-based notebooks into engaging visual summaries.
This feature is powered by Google’s Gemini models (specifically referred to as "Gemini Nano Banana Pro" in the source), allowing users to create high-resolution images that make understanding difficult topics significantly easier.
Here is a guide on how to get the most out of this tool, including the best settings and prompts to use.
Step-by-Step Guide to Generating Infographics
To get started, simply open NotebookLM and select the notebook containing the sources you wish to visualize. You can use an existing notebook or create a brand new one for a specific topic.
Once inside, follow these steps:
1. Access the Feature: Look for the infographic button. While you can generate one immediately, it is highly recommended that you click the pencil icon instead. This opens up customization options that allow you to tailor the output to your specific needs.
2. Choose Your Orientation: You can select from Landscape, Portrait, or Square. While the choice depends on your platform, Portrait is generally preferred as it mimics the typical dimensions of a standard infographic.
3. Select Level of Detail: For most use cases, the Standard setting is ideal. This setting is adaptive, meaning the AI is smart enough to determine whether the graphic needs to be concise or detailed based on the context of your specific topic.
The Secret to Aesthetic Results: Use a Custom Prompt
One common issue with AI-generated graphics is that they can become cluttered with too much text. To avoid an overwhelming design, you should use a specific prompting strategy within the customization menu.
Best Practice: Instruct the AI to include "plenty of empty spaces".
By adding this instruction, you ensure the infographic has "breathing room," making the design much easier to scan and read rather than a dense wall of text and icons. This simple tweak turns a chaotic image into an aesthetic, professional-looking visual.
Processing and Output Quality
Once you hit generate, be prepared to wait slightly longer than usual—typically around two minutes. This duration is necessary because the AI must read and synthesize the various sources within your notebook before creating the image.
The wait is well worth it. The output is not just a thumbnail; it is a full-resolution image supporting up to 4K resolution. Do not be surprised if the downloaded file is large (around 5MB), as this ensures the text and visuals remain crisp even when viewed on large screens.
How can users customize the aspect ratio of an infographic?
To customize the aspect ratio of an infographic in NotebookLM, you must click the pencil icon rather than the generate button immediately, as this opens the specific customization settings.
Once in this menu, you can select from three different orientation options:
• Landscape
• Portrait
• Square
While you are free to use any format, the source recommends selecting Portrait as it represents the "typical dimension" used for infographics.
Analogy: Think of the "Standard" detail setting like a smart thermostat for your information; instead of blasting heat (too much text) or staying freezing (too vague), it automatically adjusts to the perfect temperature based on the size of the room (your specific topic).