Add files and folders to Drive

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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

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 File upload or Folder upload and choose the file or folder you want to upload.

You can also use Drive for desktop to upload files or folders.

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 as separate file.

Learn more at the Drive Help Center

 Open files from Drive

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

Learn more at the Drive Help Center. To learn about syncing, see Tips to access your files quickly.

Move files into Drive folders

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.

 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. Learn how to permanently delete a file.
• 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 .

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 .
   • 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."

Learn more at the Drive Help Center

Search for files in Drive

Manage and search for files with Shared Drives

1. On your computer, sign into drive.google.com.
2. At the top, type a word or phrase into the search box.
3. On your keyboard, press Enter.

Filter your Drive results

To find files more easily in Drive, you can narrow search results by filtering them.

Filter using chips:

1. On your computer, go to drive.google.com.
2. At the top, type a word or phrase into the search box.
3. To narrow your search, use the filter chips below the search box to filter on the following criteria:
   • Location: Searches in a specific folder, for example: “My Drive”, "Trash," or "Starred.”
   • Type: File types such as documents, images, or PDFs.
   • People: Searches for people associated with the file (all, owned, or shared by.)
   • Modified: The date a file was last edited.
   • Title only: Searches only for the title or name of a file.
   • Labels: Searches for labels applied to your file.
   • To do: Items that may require your attention, including approvals, follow ups, and ownership transfers.
4. To remove a filter chip: On the right of the chip, click .
5. To remove all filter chips: On the far right of all chips, click Clear all.

Filter using search options:

1. On your computer, go to drive.google.com.
2. At the top, type a word or phrase into the search box.
3. To narrow your search, click Search options .
4. Fill out any of the following sections:
   • Type: File types such as documents, images, or PDFs.
   • Owner: Searches for the owner or creator of a file.
   • Has the words: Searches for words and phrases within docs.
   • Item name: Searches only for the title or name of a file.
   • Location: Searches in a specific folder, for example: "Trash," "Starred," or “Encrypted.”
   • Date modified: The date a file was last edited.
   • Labels: Searches for labels applied to your file.
   • Approvals: A status, whether if a file awaits your approval or another person’s approval.
   • Shared to: Who you have shared the file with.
   • Follow up: A status, whether if a file has action items assigned to you, or if there are suggestions in files you own.
5. At the bottom, click Search.

Tip: After you click Search, to sort by relevance, on the far right above your search results, click Menu .

Learn more at the Drive Help Center

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