> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.lindy.ai/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Memo Generation > Transform folders of financial reports and data into polished board memos with AI-powered insights and analysis
You can use the [memo generation template](https://chat.lindy.ai/home/?templateId=68761613a0cb797486bdf6a7) to get started. ## Quick Overview Stop spending hours compiling board updates. Your agent will: * **Connect** to your company data folder in Google Drive * **Process** all PDFs and Google Sheets automatically * **Extract** key information from financial statements, KPIs, and reports * **Generate** a comprehensive memo with executive-ready narrative * **Deliver** the polished memo to chat and email * **Attach** an AI agent for follow-up questions about the data Turn a day-long task into a simple "Go" command. ## Setting Up Your Memo Generator ### Step 1: Simple Start Trigger Chat message trigger setup Start with a `Chat Message Received` trigger for simple activation: Example messages: * "Go" * "Generate memo" * "Run board update" Keep it simple — the agent will process all available company data automatically. ### Step 2: Connect to Company Data Folder Google Drive list files configuration Add `Google Drive – List Files` action: * Folder: Connect to your company's main data folder in Google Drive * Include: All file types (we'll filter in the next step) * This folder should contain all financial statements, reports, and company documents Remember to select the folder that corresponds with the ONE company you want to generate a memo for. ### Step 3: Enter File Processing Loop Enter file processing loop Add `Enter Loop` using the files from Step 2: * Input: The list of files from your Google Drive folder * This will process each file individually to extract relevant data * We'll handle different file types in the next step ### Step 4: Determine File Type File type detection conditions Add `Conditions` to route files based on their type. This workflow only processes PDFs and Google Sheets: **Path 1: If PDF** * Add `Google Drive – Download File` * Then `File – Read PDF` to extract all text content **Path 2: If Google Sheet** * Add `Google Sheets – List Worksheets` * Enter loop for each worksheet * Use `Google Sheets – Get All Values` for each sheet **Path 3: If Neither** * Go directly to `Exit Loop` (skip unsupported file types) All three paths will converge at the loop exit. ### Step 5: Exit Loop and Add Context Exit file processing loop Add `Exit Loop` action and use `Add Context` to compile all extracted data: * Include all PDF text content and spreadsheet data * Preserve file names and document structure * This transfers all company data outside the loop for analysis ### Step 6: Generate the Memo AI memo generation configuration Add `AI Agent – Memo Generator` with this prompt: ``` You are a strategic finance advisor preparing a board memo. You have been provided with all recent board materials including financial statements, KPI dashboards, strategic updates, and meeting notes. **Note: While you have access to Perplexity with Sonar reasoning pro for additional research if needed, all information provided in your context is the source of truth and should be prioritized for this analysis.** Generate a comprehensive board memo with these sections: 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - 3 most important points for the board - Overall health of the business in one sentence 2. FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE - Revenue vs. plan (% variance and why) - Burn rate and runway analysis - Key P&L highlights and concerns - Cash position and working capital 3. KEY METRICS & TRENDS - Customer metrics (growth, churn, NPS) - Product/operational KPIs - Team/headcount updates - Highlight improving vs. deteriorating metrics 4. STRATEGIC PROGRESS - Status of board-approved initiatives - Major wins since last update - Delays or pivots to flag 5. RISKS & OPPORTUNITIES - Top 3 risks to the business - Mitigation strategies in progress - Emerging opportunities to capture 6. BOARD ACTIONS REQUESTED - Specific decisions needed - Information requests - Strategic guidance sought Write in clear, executive language. Use specific numbers. Focus on insights and implications, not just reporting data. If performance is below plan, explain why and what's being done. ``` ### Step 6: Send to Chat and Email Memo delivery configuration Send the memo to both chat and email: **Send to Chat:** * Use `Chat – Send Message` to deliver the memo in the chat interface * Include the full memo content for immediate review **Send via Email:** * Use `Gmail – Send Email` with the memo content * Subject: "Memo - \[Company] \[Date]" * Body: The complete memo from the AI agent in markdown format ### Step 7: Attach AI Agent for Follow-up Questions AI agent for follow-up questions Add `AI Agent – Company Data Assistant` to enable follow-up questions in the task: ``` You are a company data analyst with access to all the financial statements, reports, and documents from this company's Google Drive folder. CONTEXT: You have complete access to all the data that was processed for the board memo, including: - All PDF documents (financial statements, reports, presentations) - All Google Sheets data (KPIs, metrics, financial models) - The generated board memo CAPABILITIES: - Answer detailed questions about financial performance - Explain specific metrics or trends - Compare data across different time periods - Provide context on any numbers or findings - Clarify assumptions in financial models INSTRUCTIONS: - Reference specific documents when answering questions - Provide exact numbers and calculations when possible - If asked about data not in the processed documents, clearly state that - Be precise and analytical in your responses You can now answer any follow-up questions about the company's data and performance. ``` ## Advanced Features | Feature | What it does | | ------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- | | Comparison Analysis | Compare to prior period and year-ago automatically | | Scenario Planning | Generate bull/bear/base case projections | | Ask Highlighting | Bold or highlight specific board asks | | Appendix Generation | Auto-create detailed appendices for deep dives | | Multi-Format Output | Generate both summary and detailed versions | ## Best Practices Keep a consistent folder structure: "Board Materials - \[Month Year]" with subfolders by type. Ensure all data sources are refreshed before running the memo generator. Always review AI-generated memos for accuracy before board distribution. Save your best memos as templates to maintain consistent quality. ## Next Steps Automate financial document processing Process any document type automatically Write better prompts for memo generation Create reusable memo templates