Cloud files in chat
Once Google Drive or Microsoft 365 is connected, you can use your files directly in the chat. This page shows the two ways to do that, what Google and Microsoft each allow and when cloud search is unavailable.
Last checked on 28 September 2026
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Two ways: attach or have it searched
Either you pick a file yourself and attach it, or you ask the assistant to search your files. Both need a connected account.
| Way | How it works | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Attach | Pick the file from the Add menu in the message field. | One specific file that should be analysed in full. |
| Have it searched | Ask about a file or a topic in the chat. The assistant searches and reads on its own. | Files whose name or location you do not know exactly. |
Attaching a cloud file
Attached cloud files follow the same formats, limits and data protection checks as files from your computer, such as a maximum of 20 MB per file. Details under Attaching files.
- 1
Open the menu
Click the plus button Add in the message field. - 2
Choose the provider
Choose Google Drive or Microsoft 365. If the provider is not connected yet, the entry first takes you through connecting it. - 3
Pick the file
For Google, Google's own file dialog opens. For Microsoft, Choose a file from Microsoft 365 opens; under Locations you find your OneDrive and the SharePoint sites you can open. - 4
Send
The file is now attached to the chat like an upload from your computer. Write your question and send it.
Having the assistant search
Ask about a file or a topic in the chat, for example the latest quote for a client. The assistant then searches your connected storage, reads matching files and answers with file names and a link to each file.
While it works, Custodos shows Searching cloud files… or Reading a cloud file…. After the reply, Cloud files searched appears on it. That way you can see that content from your files went into the answer.
Google and Microsoft behave differently
The difference follows from the permissions you grant when connecting. Microsoft 365 allows a real search, Google Drive only access to files you have released one by one.
| Aspect | Google Drive | Microsoft 365 |
|---|---|---|
| What is searched | Only files you have picked in Google's file dialog before, for example when attaching or importing into Company Brain. | Your OneDrive and every SharePoint site your Microsoft account can open. |
| When nothing is found | The assistant points out that only released files are searchable and names the route via the Add menu. | The search covers everything your Microsoft account can access. What is not there, it does not find. |
| Permissions | read-only | read-only, with your existing Microsoft permissions |
Limits
- When searching and reading, the assistant only processes a file's text. It cannot analyse images in your storage this way; attach them instead.
- Per reply it searches and reads only a limited number of files, and only an excerpt of long files. If a long file should be analysed in full, attach it.
- The text it reads passes the same data protection checks as an attachment. Depending on the workspace setting, Custodos replaces personal data with placeholders or does not process the file. More under Personal data.
- Custodos only reads your storage. It does not change, move or delete files there.
When cloud search is unavailable
The assistant only searches and reads your files on its own when every condition is met. If one is missing, it answers without access to your files. Attaching through the Add menu still works.
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