Create, view, or download a file

 

You can create, find, and download files like: 

• Documents
• Spreadsheets
• Presentations
• Forms 
• Videos

Your files are available to edit, share, and work on with others. Learn how to find files in Google Drive.

Important: If you try to open a file suspected of phishing or malware, you may get a warning. Use caution when you open the file.

Create a file

1. On your computer, open a Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms or Vids  home screen.
2. Click Create .

You can also:

• Create a file from template
• Use a template in Google Vids

Save a file

• When you're online, Google automatically saves your changes as you type. You don't need a save button.
• If you aren't connected to the Internet, you can set up offline access to save your changes.
• Once offline access is turned on for Docs, Sheets, Slides, or Forms, changes will save to your device as you enter text, and will save to Drive once reconnected.

Tip: To save in Google Sheets, click outside of the cell you typed in. 

View a file

To view files that you’ve created or opened on any computer and other documents like Microsoft® Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files:

1. On your computer, open a Google Docs, Sheets, Slides or Vids home screen.
2. Click the document, spreadsheet, presentation, or video you want to view.

Tip: If you shared your file with someone else, you’ll get their changes as they make them. 

Rename a file

When you create a new document, spreadsheet, or presentation, or video, it's automatically named “Untitled document,” “Untitled spreadsheet,” or “Untitled presentation” or “Untitled video.” To rename the file:

1. Click the name at the top of the file.
2. Type a new name.
3. Press Enter.

Tip: If you shared your file with someone else, you’ll get their changes as they make them. 

Make a copy of a file

1. On your computer, open a Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms or Vidshome screen.
2. Open the file you want to make a copy of.
3. In the menu, click File Make a copy.
4. Type a name and choose where to save it.
   • If you want to copy comments from a document, spreadsheet, or presentation, click Copy comments and suggestions. You can choose to include resolved comments and suggestions in your new copy.
5. Click Ok.

Tip: You can only copy a Google Vids file if you are a trusted tester at this time.

Download a copy of a file

1. On your computer, open a Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms or Vidshome screen.
2. Open a document, spreadsheet, presentation or video.
3. At the top, click File  Download.
4. Choose a file type. The file will download onto your computer.
   • Tip: Vids files download as .mp4s and are typically larger and take longer to download. 

Tip: To download a large Google Docs file as a .pdf file on Chrome: 

1. On your computer, open a Google Doc.
2. At the top, click File  Print. 
3. At the left, next to "Destination," select Save as PDF.
4. At the top, click Save.  

Important: This article refers to Vids, a product available for select customers to test in Alpha and users in Google Workspace Labs, which is an invite only program for users to try new AI features. Users with Vids access can invite any user with a Workspace account to view, edit, and collaborate on a video. Workspace Labs is currently available to trusted testers in English and may not be available in your country or region.