Organize and search in Drive

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Now that all of your files are in Google Drive, here are some of the key ways you can stay organized.

In this section, you learn how to: Create folders Move files to folders Access files quickly Star important files and folders Search and sort your files and folders

Create folders

Any new folders you create in your computer’s Drive for desktop folders or in Drive on the web automatically appear on your devices so that you’re organized everywhere.

On the web

1. Open Drive.
2. Click  NewFolder.

On your computer

Using Drive for desktop, create new folders in Drive (My Drive or shared drives) the same way you create other folders on your computer.

Move files to folders

On the web

Move a file to a folder in My Drive:

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

You can also drag files and folders to a folder in My Drive on the left.

Organize files in the Search results, Recent, Starred, Shared with me views:

1. Select the file.
2. Do one of the following actions:
   • If the file isn't already in My Drive, click Add to My Drive Organize.
   • If the file is in My Drive, click Move to .
3. Select the folder and click Move or Move here.

   Note: If you move a file under Shared with me, it only moves your copy.

Make a copy of a shared file:

1. In Shared with me, right-click a file and select Make a copy.
2. (Optional) To move the file:

   1. In the pop-up window at the bottom, click Show file location.
   2. Right-click the file and select Move to.

On your computer

Select the files you want to move and drag them to any folder in Drive, the same way you’d move any other file on your computer.

Access files quickly

To keep important or frequently used files at your fingertips, add them to a workspace in Drive Priority.

Adding the files to a workspace does not remove them from anywhere else or change permissions, it just puts them in one place so you can quickly find them.

On the web

Create a workspace:

1. Open Drive.
2. On the left, click Priority.
3. Under Workspaces, click Create Workspace.
4. Enter a name for the workspace and click Create.
5. (Optional) To add files now, click Add files and follow the steps in Add multiple files to a workspace (details below).
6. Click Done.

Add a file to a workspace:

1. Open Drive. 
2. Right-click a file and click Add to workspacethe workspace name.

Add multiple files to a workspace:

1. Open Drive. 
2. On the left, click Priority.
3. Below the workspace you want to add files to, click View workspace.
4. Click Add files.
5. On the right, under Add to Workspace, choose where you want to add files from (Recent, My Drive, Shared Drives, and so on).
6. Find the files you want to add and select them.
7. Click Insert.
8. Click Done.

Now you can access important files from Drive Priority. You can also set Drive Priority to be your homepage. For details, see Use Priority to quickly access files.

Remove a file from a workspace:

1. Open Drive.
2.  Right-click a file in a workspace and click Remove from workspace.

Rename, hide, or delete a workspace:

1. Open Drive and on the left, click Priority.
2.  Next to the workspace name, click the Down arrow Rename, Hide workspace, or Remove workspace.
3. (Optional) To show a hidden workspace:
   1. At the bottom of the Priority page, click Hidden workspaces.
   2. Next to the workspace that you want to see, click the Down arrow Unhide workspace.

Star important files and folders

On the web

Flag important files or folders to quickly find them later.

1. Right-click a file or folder and select Add to Starred.
2. (Optional) To see all your starred files and folders, on the left, click Starred.

Search and sort your files and folders

On the web

It can be difficult to browse through hundreds of files just to find the one you need. So, try searching Drive instead.

When you put your cursor in the Drive search box, you see a list of file types that Drive suggests to filter your search. These are files that you use frequently or that might increase your productivity. You also see people you frequently collaborate with.

Search for files or folders in Drive:

1. In the Drive search box, enter a word or phrase. 
   To help you search faster, Drive suggests search terms as you enter text.
2. Click a suggestion to open it or click Search to see a list of results.

Tip: To find orphaned files (files that have lost their parent folders), in the Drive search box, enter: is:unorganized owner:<username>. Move your orphaned files to a folder in My Drive so you can find them easier next time.

Use advanced search options:

1. On the right of the search box, click the Down arrow .
   Choose any option or combination of options to filter your results further.
   • Type—Search by file type.

     Note: For Sites, only draft (not published) sites that you have view or edit access to appear.

   • Owner—Search by file owner.
   • Location—Search by location (including items in the Trash or Starred). You can only search for folders that are in My Drive or in shared drives.
   • Date modified—See items that were recently modified by anyone (not just you).
   • Item name—Search for a term in the file name.
   • Has the words—Search for files that contain certain words.
   • Shared with—Search for someone that has access to the file.
   • Follow up—Search for files you own with suggestions, or files with action items assigned to you.
2. Click Search.