Add files and folders to Drive

Modified on Wed, 9 Jul at 4:49 PM

On this page

  • Add files to Drive
  • Open files from Drive
  • Move files into Drive folders
  • Delete files in Drive
  • Search for files in Drive
  • Summarize Drive files with Gemini

Add files to Drive

Create a new file from Drive

Click New and choose an option to create a Google file or a folder in Drive.

Upload files or folders to Drive

If you're using the latest Chrome Browser or Firefox, you can drag files or folders from your computer into a Drive folder. Or, you can click New and thenFile upload or Folder upload and choose the file or folder you want to upload.

Upload a file with the same name

If you upload a file with the same name, Google Drive will upload the file as a revision of the file already in Google Drive.

To keep both files:

  1. On your computer, go to drive.google.com.
  2. Upload a file.
  3. Click Keep both files.


 Open files from Drive

Once your files sync, you can access them from any device. Double-click the file you want to open.

Move files into Drive folders

  1. Select the file.
  2. Click More and thenMove to .
  3. Select the folder and click Move or Move here.

 Delete files in Drive

To remove a file from your Drive, put it in your trash. The file will stay in your trash for 30 days before being automatically deleted. When you put a file in the trash:

  • If you own the file, people you’ve shared it with can make a copy.
  • If you don’t own the file, removing the file from your Drive only removes it for you.

Delete a file

  1. On your computer, go to drive.google.com.
  2. Click a file.
  3. Click Remove Remove.

Restore a file

  1. On your computer, go to drive.google.com.
  2. On the left, click Trash.
  3. Click the file you want to restore.
  4. At the top, click Restore Restore from trash.
    • Tip: You can sort your trashed files by trashed date to find the oldest or newest files trashed. 
  5. You can find restored files in their original location. If the original location no longer exists, look in "My Drive."

Search for files in Drive

  1. On your computer, go to https://drive.google.com.
  2. (Optional) To narrow your search, use these options:
    • Type: Search by file type
    • People: Search by people associated with the file, such as who the file is shared with
    • Modified: Search by the date a file was last modified
    • Location: Search in a specific folder
  3. In the search box, type a word or phrase. Suggestions appear as you type. To see more search options, click Advanced search.

Summarize Drive files with Gemini

  1. On your computer, go to drive.google.com.
  2. At the top right, click Ask Gemini .
  3. In the side panel, select a prompt or create your own, mentioning the title of the document in your prompt.
    • Example: "Summarize the key points in 'Sales Team Meeting Notes.'"
  4. Press Enter.
  5. Gemini will display the summary of your file/document.

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