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[ARTICLE · art-59694] src=news.ycombinator.com ↗ pub= topic=ai-tools verified=true sentiment=↓ negative

Ask HN: How useful is Gemini for Google Apps?

A user attempting to create a Google Slides presentation from a Google Doc using Gemini found the AI assistant unable to generate new documents or work on multiple slides at once, forcing them to use a different LLM to create a PPTX file and upload it to Google Drive. The experience highlights limitations in Gemini's integration with Google Workspace, frustrating users who expect seamless cross-app automation.

read1 min views1 publishedJul 14, 2026

I recently wrote a Google doc to describe a presentation. I used a Heading 1 style for each "Slide N: Description" section, and it was otherwise cleanly formatted.

Then I hit the magic Gemini button and asked (more or less) "Make me a Google Slides presentation based on this document"

Gemini (paraphrasing): "Oh, sorry, I can't create new documents in Google Drive".

OK, I create a new blank Google Slides document. I press the magic Gemini button. After some preamble prompt BS, I paste my "Slides" document content, and ask it to create me some slides.

Gemini (paraphrasing): "Oh, sorry, I can only work on one slide at a time".

WTF? I go to a different frontier LLM, I ask it to make me a PPTX file from my description (which I downloaded from Google docs as markdown). After a few minutes I have a nice PPTX file. I upload that to Google Drive and open it. Google converts it to Slides. NOW, finally, I have the joy of improving one slide at a time with Gemini.

Why does my workflow suck so bad here? There must be a better way! Please help me HN.

I'm also keen to hear what are some actual cool tricks that do work with Gemini and/or frustrations others have had. Let loose.

Comments URL: [https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48913970](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48913970)

Points: 3

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