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, SlidesForms or Vids  home screen.
  2. Click Create Plus.

You can also:

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 has been turned on for Docs, Sheets, Slides or Forms, changes will be saved to your device as you enter text and will be saved to Drive once reconnected.
Tip: To save in Google Sheets, click outside of the cell that 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 that 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", "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 that you want to make a copy of.
  3. In the menu, click File and then Make a copy.
  4. Type a name and choose where to save it.
    • If you want to copy comments from a document, spreadsheet, presentation or video, 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 and then 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 and then Print. 
  3. At the left, next to 'Destination', select Save as PDF.
  4. At the top, click Save.  
true
Visit the Learning Center

Using Google products, like Google Docs, at work or school? Try powerful tips, tutorials, and templates. Learn to work on Office files without installing Office, create dynamic project plans and team calendars, auto-organize your inbox, and more.

Search
Clear search
Close search
Google apps
Main menu
14083104996267961249
true
Search Help Centre
true
true
true