How to Connect ChatGPT to Gmail, Google Drive, Canva and More
Updated 2025 Guide for Small and Mid-Sized Business Owners (and Individuals!)
If you’ve ever wondered how to make ChatGPT actually useful in your day-to-day business—not just for writing emails or brainstorming ideas—this update is for you. OpenAI has released major changes to how ChatGPT connects to your business tools, including new connectors, agent capabilities, and stronger safety controls.
This is an update to a previous post on the same topic from earlier in the year, and reflects the most accurate information available in OpenAI’s documentation as of today. Good news..it’s much easier to use connectors now!
Connecting ChatGPT to the apps your business already uses lets you search, analyze, and organize information across email, documents, customer messages, and project tools. This helps you cut back on the manual work that slows you down and gives you a clearer view of what’s happening across your business.
What’s New in 2025
OpenAI has shifted away from older modes and now uses a three-part system for integrations:
Connectors. These allow ChatGPT to read and analyze (not modify) data from tools like Gmail, Google Drive, Slack, HubSpot, Dropbox, and more.
Synced Connectors. These index your files for faster, more accurate searches inside ChatGPT.
Agent Mode. This is the major update. Agent Mode can navigate websites, fill out forms, analyze files, run code, and use connectors as read-only sources. It asks for clarification or confirmation when needed and can be scheduled for recurring tasks.
These features fundamentally change how ChatGPT interacts with your real business systems.
What Plans Support Agent Mode
According to OpenAI, Agent Mode is available on:
Plus
Pro
Business
Enterprise
Edu
It is currently not available on the Free plan.
Current List of Supported Connectors
OpenAI’s latest set of connectors includes:
Aha!
Azure Boards
Basecamp
Box
Canva
ClickUp
Dropbox
GitHub
GitLab
Gmail
Google Calendar
Google Contacts
Google Drive
Help Scout
HubSpot
Intercom
Linear
Microsoft Teams
Notion
Outlook
SharePoint
Slack
Teamwork.com
Zoho CRM
Zoho Desk
…More to come!!
Note: These connectors are read-only. They let ChatGPT search, understand, and summarize your data, but they do not change or write anything back into your systems.
How to Connect Your Tools to ChatGPT
OpenAI’s documentation outlines a straightforward setup process:
Open ChatGPT on the web, desktop, or mobile app.
Go to Settings.
Select Apps and Connectors or Connected Apps.
Choose the tool you want to connect.
Click Connect and complete the login process.
Enable Sync if available (useful for Drive and Dropbox).
Your data can now be accessed in read-only mode during tasks.
This allows ChatGPT to work with the same files, messages, and content you already use in your daily business workflow.
How Agent Mode Works (And How to Use It)
Agent Mode is where things get interesting.
According to OpenAI, you can start it by:
• Selecting Agent Mode from the Tools menu
• Typing /agent in the message box
Once active, the agent can:
Navigate websites
Fill out forms
Analyze and compare documents
Use connectors as read-only data sources
Download and analyze spreadsheets
Run code
Pause to ask for confirmation
Schedule recurring tasks
You simply describe the task you want completed. The agent will take it from there, checking in when something needs your approval.
Example
“Review the SOPs in my Google Drive folder and tell me which ones haven’t been updated in over a year. Then pull in recent customer emails from Gmail and summarize any issues that relate to outdated processes.”
This is where the value shows up: the agent can combine information from multiple systems and handle the parts you normally piece together manually.
Important Limitations to Know
OpenAI’s documentation is clear about what Agent Mode can and cannot do. Here are the key points that matter for users:
Connectors are read-only. They don’t send emails, edit files, or modify data.
High-impact actions always require your confirmation.
Google Drive synced connectors cannot be accessed directly by Agent Mode.
Passwords must be entered manually using the “Take over browser” option.
Screenshots from agent tasks are retained until you delete the chat.
You can disable training in Settings → Data Controls.
Prompt injection risks exist, so vague prompts like “Handle my inbox” are not recommended.
These guardrails are important, especially for businesses that manage sensitive information, customer data, or regulated content.
Practical Use Case Ideas
Here are realistic, low-risk workflows supported by connectors and Agent Mode.
Customer Communication
Use the Gmail connector to summarize recent customer issues, trends, or complaints.
Operations
Search Google Drive for SOPs, policies, or training materials and identify outdated or duplicate content.
Sales
Review CRM-related email threads or Drive documents and compile a digest of current deal activity.
Marketing
Have ChatGPT review Canva assets or shared content to give layout, clarity, or messaging feedback.
Finance
Analyze a spreadsheet stored in Drive and produce a readable financial summary or month-end snapshot.
These tasks help businesses stay organized, understand their data quickly, and reduce time spent on repetitive work.
Recurring Agent Tasks
Agent Mode can turn one-time tasks into ongoing workflows.
After the agent finishes a task, you can:
• Click the Clock icon
• Choose a schedule (daily, weekly, monthly)
• Manage all tasks at chatgpt.com/schedules
This is useful for weekly inbox summaries, monthly report generation, SOP reviews, or marketing audits.
Security and Privacy: What Business Owners Should Know
OpenAI’s documentation outlines several important safety guidelines.
Agents may access sensitive data if you log them in.
Passwords are only entered by you and not recorded.
Screenshots are used for navigation and stored until you delete the chat.
Business and Enterprise plans keep all data out of training.
Plus and Pro users can disable training in Data Controls.
High-impact actions require confirmation.
Some sites may be restricted or blocked.
Bottom line: The system is designed to prevent accidental or unauthorized actions, but business owners (or any user for that matter) should still approach tasks with care and avoid entering unnecessary sensitive data. For more on data privacy and risk, please read our post on the topic here.
Why These Features Matter for Small and Mid-Sized Businesses
Most small and mid-sized businesses don’t have extra staff dedicated to cleanup, research, or documentation review. Connectors and Agent Mode help handle the heavy lifting across things like:
Email
Files
Marketing assets
Customer interactions
Project documentation
Spreadsheets
Online research
This gives you back time you would normally spend hunting for information, organizing documents, or reconciling data across tools.
Need Help Setting This Up?
If you want support configuring your connectors, setting up safe workflows, or using Agent Mode effectively, a consultation can walk you through the best settings and use cases for your business. Contact us today- we’re happy to help!
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are new to ChatGPT connectors or Agent Mode, these answers will help clarify what they can and cannot do for your business. All information is based on OpenAI documentation as of 2025.
What are ChatGPT Connectors?
Connectors are read-only integrations that let ChatGPT access data from tools like Gmail, Google Drive, HubSpot, Slack, Zoho, and others. They allow ChatGPT and Agent Mode to search, read, and analyze information stored in those platforms without modifying anything.
Can ChatGPT connect to Gmail and Google Drive?
Yes. Gmail and Google Drive are supported connectors. ChatGPT can read emails, files, and folders through these integrations to help you summarize or analyze information. All access is read-only.
What is ChatGPT Agent Mode?
Agent Mode allows ChatGPT to perform complex, multi-step tasks such as navigating websites, filling out forms, analyzing files, running code, and using connectors as data sources. It pauses for confirmation before high-impact actions and may require manual login during tasks.
Is Agent Mode available on the Free plan?
No. Agent Mode is available on Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Edu plans. It is not available on the Free plan.
Can ChatGPT modify files or send emails through connectors?
No. Connectors are read-only. ChatGPT cannot edit files, send email, or update data directly through connectors. Actions like form-filling or navigation happen through the agent’s visual browser and require user confirmation.
Is it safe to connect my business tools to ChatGPT?
Connectors access data in read-only mode, and Agent Mode requires explicit user action before logins or sensitive steps. However, businesses should still avoid entering unnecessary sensitive or regulated information and follow OpenAI’s safety guidance when using Agent Mode. Learn more about Data Privacy and Risk here.
Why can’t Agent Mode access my synced Google Drive files?
OpenAI’s documentation notes that Agent Mode cannot directly access data indexed through synced connectors. It can still work with Google Drive data when Drive-related chat or deep research features are enabled.
What tools can I connect to ChatGPT?
Current supported connectors include Aha!, Azure Boards, Basecamp, Box, Canva, ClickUp, Dropbox, GitHub, GitLab, Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Contacts, Google Drive, Help Scout, HubSpot, Intercom, Linear, Microsoft Teams, Notion, Outlook, SharePoint, Slack, Teamwork.com, Zoho CRM, and Zoho Desk. The full list and details are included earlier in this guide.
How do I schedule recurring tasks in Agent Mode?
After the agent completes a task, click the Clock icon and choose how often it should repeat. You can review and manage all scheduled tasks at chatgpt.com/schedules.