Google Drive is a cloud storage solution with 15 GB of storehouse available for free and pay plans , plus additional storage and features . Google Drive is a drug user - friendly choice thanks to its simple interface and integration with Google Docs .

If you ’re young to using Google Drive , take a smell at the following guide to find out how to create an account , upload and download documents , apportion your files , and get the most out of the help .

Getting started

Accessing Google Drive

pace 1 : If you do n’t have one already , you ’ll require toget a Google accountbefore proceeding with Drive . It ’s gratis to sign up , and doing so will give you smooth , synchronize access to all of Google ’s services . You ’ll require topay a feeif you desire more than 15 GB of storage , but whether you prefer to do so will not feign your ability to apply the service . DownloadingGoogle Chromedoesn’t hurt either , given the popular web internet browser features several extension and tools that incorporate well with Drive .

Step 2 : Once you ’ve signed up ( or logged into your subsist account ) , you could access Drive via your web browser app or the dedicated nomadic app , which is currently available for bothAndroidandiOS .

Once signed into Drive , click the multicolored - plus signNewbutton in the upper - go out turning point orMy Drive , which is located toward the marrow of the screen . In the roving app , press the roach with the positive planetary house in the lower - right corner . This unfold a menu that will allow you to make or upload a file to motor . you may make a spreadsheet , word document , slideshow presentation , form , drawing , and a bunch of other thing via third - company apps .

We wo n’t go in - depth on how to utilize each of these free broadcast here , but here are a few wind for learning how to use these services quickly :

Tip 1 : The buttons across effort are pretty straight , but if you ’re ever uncertain of what one does , just hover over it with your mouse . A pour down - up window should appear that explains the function of the push button .

Tip2 : If you ’ve ever used Microsoft Office — i.e. , Word , Excel , or PowerPoint — thenGoogle Docs , Sheets , and Slides software should look conversant . They operate likewise and are arguably more intuitive . You wo n’t receive as many advanced features as in Microsoft ’s software , but Drive is gratuitous , so that ’s to be expect .

Tip3 : While you may go to the primaryDocs , rag , orSlidespage to see all the files of that type in a single seat , make foldersmight be a better way to keep organise . To create a folder , click theNewbutton in the upper - left corner , selectFolder , and name the Indian file directory . Then , plainly drag your file(s ) into the brochure of your choosing from the main Drive pageboy .

you could also star file you ’ll require to access later by clickingAdd Starin that item ’s card , though keep in head that they can only be viewed by the soul who add them and not by those who you ’ve deal a peculiar item with .

Tip4 : Another way to rapidly find an item in your Drive is by utilizing theSearch in Drivefunction . At the top of every page is a field where you could research for a Indian file using its name or file type . If you press the downward - facing arrow in this subject orMore Search Tools , you’re able to specify even further and search for files based on specific criterion , such as the date or who you ’ve shared the file with .

Getting the most out of Google Drive

Uploading and sharing documents

To upload a document to beat back , click either theUpload FilesorFile Uploadbutton underNeworMy Drive , and select a file from your computer . Drive is great for personal use , but what set it apart from other cloud services is its knock-down collaboration puppet . If you require to work remotely with someone on a project , you could share a document with them and make changes together in real metre .

To partake a document after you ’ve created it , dawn theSharebutton in the upper - right hand niche , add together your cooperator using their email addresses , and click the blueDonebutton . Once they ’ve been granted access , the text file should show up under theShared With Metab in their Drive fascia , and a link to the shared written document will also be sent to their email inbox .

you’re able to use the shareable tie-in at the bottom of theShare With People and Groupsmenu to transport the filing cabinet via text or another messaging service . Just click onCopy Linkat the bottom of that menu .

While inside a shared document , you may see who else is currently editing it by looking in the top - proper niche of the windowpane . henchman names will be displayed in different colors ( or with their story pic ) , so you’re able to quickly tell them apart . Just hover your cursor over any colour to see who it represents .

Downloading documents and accessing files offline

Another utile Drive feature is the power to view and cut file cabinet even if you do n’t have access to the net . All you need to do is download theGoogle Docs Offlineextension for Google Chrome . Once download — and enabled in yourDrive preferences — you’re able to get at specific files ( Docs , Sheets , and Slides ) even when you ’re travel or without net for a few minute . A greyish roach with a lightning dash through it will appear next to your file name in the file window , let you sleep with when you are offline .

One of the downsides of this , however , is that you’re able to only access file you ’ve created and have n’t share with anyone . You also must have already open Google Drive in your web browser to do so . information can be accessed offline via the mobile app as well , assuming you ’ve turned on the function inSettingsbeforehand .

Adding multiple collaborators via a Google Group

If you ’d wish to share a document with a large mathematical group of citizenry , you may avert entering each electronic mail destination individually by sharing the document with an entireGoogle Group . Every mortal in that group ( as well as masses added to the radical later on ) will then have access to whatever you ’ve partake in .

Sharing multiple files at once

want toshare a bunch of filesall at once ? Rather than sharing each file cabinet one by one , you could move them into a booklet and share that folder . Everyone you divvy up the pamphlet with will have access to all the data inside of it .

Converting documents created with other programs

If you have a papers file create in another computer program but need to change it to Google Drive , you ’re in fortune . you may make the variety quickly , as long as the documents are aright format . After you move it to Google Docs , you may share the Indian file with any partner immediately . To set forth , upload your selected file . Open it in Drive and a text file prevue screen will look . SelectOpen Withfrom the fall - down carte push . Depending on the file case , Google might mechanically make suggestions on which program to open it with . Make a selection from the list and convert the filing cabinet to a Google Docs format . Below are the file cabinet formats that you may currently convert into Google Drive .

Reverting to an older version of a document

One of the most important downsides to collaborative project is that it can be a pain sensation to incur a quisling ’s edit and even up it if they make a mistake . It can be cumbersome to do on live files where multiple multitude can be make changes at the same time . Google has made important strides to minimize the problem for collaborators . Drive salvage every updated interpretation of your documents for 30 daylight or 100 revisions , whichever comes first . This automatic save feature makes it light to retrovert to an older version of a file , even if you have to retrovert several times .

To recover a late edition of your written document , get to the file you desire to transfer . ClickFileandVersion History , then chooseSee Version chronicle . A new screen will spread , and a bar will appear on the document ’s correct side . That bar is the winder : it will list all former revisions in chronological order of magnitude . come home on any one of them to get a preview of that revise . When you find the correction you ’d wish to retrovert to , click the blueRestore This Versionbutton that come along at the top of the screen , and it ’ll transfer immediately . This revisal history is also helpful because it shows exactly who made which changes . If you notice one somebody incline to be more problematical , you’re able to change their editing rights to read - only rightfulness .