Google Drive is a powerful cloud storage service that can help you stay organized and productive. But did you know that there are a number of hidden tips and tricks that can make your Google Drive experience even better?
In this blog post, we’ll share 9 Google Drive tips that you’ll wish you knew all along.
1. Use the search bar to find files quickly
The search bar in Google Drive is incredibly powerful, and it can help you find files quickly and easily. In addition to searching by file name, you can also search by file type, owner, and even content.
To use the search bar, simply type in your search terms and hit enter. Google Drive will then return a list of all the files that match your search criteria.
2. Use shortcuts to create new files and folders
If you’re constantly creating new files and folders, you can save time by using keyboard shortcuts. Here are a few shortcuts to get you started:
- Shift + T: Create a new document
- Shift + P: Create a new presentation
- Shift + S: Create a new spreadsheet
- Ctrl + N: Create a new folder
To use a shortcut, simply press the keys at the same time. For example, to create a new document, press Shift + T.
3. Use Google Drive to send large files
Google Drive is a great way to send large files to others. When you send a file through Google Drive, the recipient will receive a link to the file, which they can then download.
To send a file through Google Drive, simply right-click on the file and select “Share.” Then, select “Get a shareable link.” You can then copy the link and send it to the recipient.
4. Use Google Drive to collaborate on documents
Google Drive makes it easy to collaborate on documents with others. When you share a document with someone else, they can edit the document in real time.
To collaborate on a document, simply right-click on the document and select “Share.” Then, select the person or people you want to share the document with. You can also choose whether you want to give them edit access or view-only access.
5. Use Google Drive to back up your files
Google Drive is a great way to back up your files. If your computer crashes or is lost, you’ll still be able to access your files from Google Drive.
To back up your files to Google Drive, simply create a new folder in Google Drive and copy your files into the folder. You can also use the Google Drive Backup and Sync app to automatically back up your files to Google Drive.
6. Use Google Drive to create offline files
If you need to access a file without an internet connection, you can make the file available offline. To do this, right-click on the file and select “Make available offline.”
Once you’ve made a file available offline, you’ll be able to open and edit the file even if you don’t have an internet connection.
7. Use Google Drive to version control your files
Google Drive keeps track of all the changes that are made to your files. This means that you can easily revert to a previous version of a file if you make a mistake.
To view the version history of a file, right-click on the file and select “Version history.” You can then select a previous version of the file to restore it.
8. Use Google Drive to scan documents
Google Drive has a built-in scanner that you can use to scan documents directly to your Google Drive account. To do this, click the “New” button and select “Scan document.”
Once you’ve scanned a document, Google Drive will automatically convert it to a PDF file. You can then edit the PDF file or share it with others.
9. Use Google Drive to create surveys and forms
Google Drive makes it easy to create surveys and forms. To do this, click the “New” button and select “Google Forms.”
Once you’ve created a form, you can share it with others and collect their responses. Google Drive will automatically store the responses in a spreadsheet, which you can then analyze.
These are just a few tips to help you get the most out of Google Drive. With Google Drive, you can stay organized, productive, and collaborative.
Bonus tip: Use Google Drive to create a personal wiki. You can create a folder in Google Drive for each topic you want to write about, and then create documents in each folder for each subtopic. You can also use hyperlinks to link between different documents. This is a great way to create a comprehensive and easy-to-use knowledge base for yourself or for your team.