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LLMs & Generative AI

Gemini API adds File Search Tool supporting PDF, DOCX, TXT, JSON, code files

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• 2 min read

Why does this matter? Gemini’s latest API update introduces a File Search Tool that lets developers tap into the content of everyday documents without writing custom parsers. While the tech is impressive, the real value lies in how easily it can turn a mixed folder of PDFs, Word files, plain‑text logs, JSON configs, or even source code into a searchable knowledge base.

Here’s the thing: you no longer need separate pipelines for each format—one call can surface relevant passages across the whole collection. The demo, linked in the release notes, shows the tool pulling snippets from a multi‑language repo and a set of policy PDFs in seconds. But here's the reality: the breadth of supported file types determines how comprehensive that index can be.

The upcoming section spells out exactly which formats are covered, and why that matters for anyone looking to build a unified reference layer on top of existing assets.

- Support for a wide range of formats: You can build a comprehensive knowledge base using a vast array of file formats, including PDF, DOCX, TXT, JSON and many common programming language file types (see the full list of supported formats in the docs) You can see the File Search Tool in action through one of our new demo app in Google AI Studio (needs a paid API key). Ask the Manual demo app powered by the new File Search tool in Gemini API How developers are using File Search Developers in our early access program are already using it to build incredible things from intelligent support bots, to internal knowledge assistants and creative content discovery platforms.

Related Topics: #Gemini API #File Search Tool #PDF #DOCX #JSON #Google AI #knowledge base #developers

Is the new File Search Tool a practical shortcut for developers? Gemini API now bundles a fully managed retrieval‑augmented generation (RAG) system directly into it's service, promising to hide the complexity of the retrieval pipeline. The announcement says the tool delivers responses that are more accurate, relevant and verifiable, and that it scales without developers needing to manage storage or embedding generation themselves.

Support spans PDFs, DOCX, TXT, JSON and a range of programming‑language files, which should let teams assemble fairly comprehensive knowledge bases. By making storage and embedding generation “simple and affordable,” Google aims to lower the barrier to entry, though the exact pricing model remains unclear. It's not clear how costs will scale with usage.

The documentation lists additional supported formats, but the brief preview offers no benchmark data on latency or cost per query. Consequently, while the integration appears convenient, it is uncertain whether the abstraction will meet the performance expectations of heavy‑use cases. Developers can watch a short demo, but real‑world adoption will likely reveal how the tool balances ease of use with the demands of production workloads.

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Common Questions Answered

What file formats does the Gemini API File Search Tool support?

The File Search Tool supports a wide range of formats, including PDF, DOCX, TXT, JSON, and many common programming language file types. This allows developers to build a unified knowledge base without writing separate parsers for each format.

How does the new File Search Tool simplify retrieval‑augmented generation (RAG) for developers?

Gemini API now bundles a fully managed RAG system directly into its service, eliminating the need to set up storage or generate embeddings manually. The tool handles indexing and retrieval behind the scenes, delivering more accurate and verifiable responses.

Can developers test the File Search Tool without building their own integration?

Yes, Google AI Studio offers a demo app called the Manual demo, which showcases the File Search Tool in action. Access requires a paid API key, but it provides a ready‑made example of searching across mixed document types.

What are the claimed benefits of using the Gemini File Search Tool for mixed document folders?

The tool enables a single API call to surface relevant passages from PDFs, Word documents, plain‑text logs, JSON configs, and source code files. This reduces pipeline complexity, improves response relevance, and scales without developers managing the underlying retrieval infrastructure.