Cloud Storage

You can use Google Cloud Storage to store data in Google's cloud. Cloud Storage is typically used to store unstructured data. You can add objects of any kind and size, and up to 5 TB.

Find Google Cloud Storage in the left side menu of the Google Cloud Platform Console, under Storage.

Get started

Create buckets to hold files

1. Select Browser in the lefthand menu.

2. Click CREATE BUCKET.

3. Enter a unique bucket name. Names must start and end with a letter or number. Full list of bucket name requirements

4. Pick a storage class. Storage class affects performance, cost, and location. All classes offer high availability and low latency. Learn more about storage classes

5. Pick a location to store your data. To reduce latency, pick a location that is close to the services that need access to your data.

6. Click Create.

Upload or transfer files

Upload

1. Open a bucket.

2. Use the upload buttons at the top of the Google Cloud Platform Console to upload files or folders. Or drag and drop them into your bucket.

Transfer

Use this service to import/export online files in bulk.

1. Select Transfer in the lefthand menu.

2. Click CREATE TRANSFER.

3. Set up your transfer:

   1. Select source: You can add online data from elsewhere in your Storage project, from Amazon Web Services, or from a TSV file of URLs.

      • For Google Cloud Storage or Amazon S3 sources, click  Specify file filters link to transfer files based on prefix and age.

   2. Select destination: Choose a bucket to hold your source files. To create a new bucket, click Browse and add a bucket  in the bucket browser.

      • Overwrites: By default, your transfer only overwrites files if the source version is different from the destination version. Add additional rules under Transfer options.

   3. Configure transfer: Schedule your transfer to Run now (one time) or Run daily at the time you specify. 

      • Custom name: You can edit the transfer name under Name this transfer. A unique, descriptive name helps identify your transfer later.

4. Click Create.

Manage files

Move, copy, or rename files

1. Open a bucket.

2. Click the icon in a file's row to Move, Copy, or Rename a file. One file at a time.

Download from buckets

1. Open a bucket.

2. Click files in your buckets to download them.

   If the file can be rendered as an image in your browser, Storage may display it on a separate tab. In this case, right-click the image (or other media) to download it.

Share files or change permissions

You can share your files in three ways.

1. Share files publicly:

   Select the Share publicly checkbox next to files in your bucket that you want to share. Use the Public link next to the checkbox.

2. Grant project access:

   Click IAM & Admin in the left side menu and grant users access to your project (and thus to your buckets and files, unless you set specific bucket or file permissions).

3. Edit permissions for specific buckets or files:

   Click next to your bucket or file and select Edit permissions (for a file) or Edit bucket permissions (for a bucket). You can grant permissions to users based on their email address, internet domain, or other details.

   Buckets and files have different permissions:

   • Object permissions determine who can download an object or manage access to it.

   • Bucket permissions determine who can list, create, overwrite, or delete the objects in a bucket.

For detailed steps, see Sharing buckets and files. This guide will be especially helpful if you want to add more specific permissions.

Delete files

1. To permanently delete a file, folder, or entire bucket, select the checkbox next to it and click Delete.

2. Click OK to confirm.

Enable object versioning so that you can un-delete data

Enable object versioning to retain earlier versions of files in your bucket. This allows you to restore files you have deleted, or restore earlier versions of files you have changed.

To enable object versioning for a bucket, you must use the gsutil command-line tool. Once you enable this feature, Storage will maintain an archive of versions of the objects in your bucket, including objects you have deleted. Learn more

Learn more

Developer resources

Here are links to Cloud Storage guides on cloud.google.com.

gsutil - You can use the command-line gsutil tool to upload or download in bulk, automate uploads, and enable object versioning (archives of file versions).

• Get started with the gsutil tool

Developers Guide - Learn about key concepts, naming guidelines, authentication, storage regions, website features, and storing Big Data.

• Google Cloud Storage Developers Guide

Cloud Storage API - Learn about Storage APIs.

• XML API

• JSON API (v1)

• Google APIs client libraries

Resources & support - Check out videos, sample Storage projects, and message boards.

• Videos

• Sample Storage projects

• Community