{"id":20881,"date":"2022-12-04T18:01:20","date_gmt":"2022-12-04T18:01:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2022\/12\/04\/7-awesome-google-drive-features-you-may-not-know-about\/"},"modified":"2022-12-04T18:01:20","modified_gmt":"2022-12-04T18:01:20","slug":"7-awesome-google-drive-features-you-may-not-know-about","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2022\/12\/04\/7-awesome-google-drive-features-you-may-not-know-about\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Awesome Google Drive Features You May Not Know About"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"Google
Google<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Many people take Google Drive for granted. You store files there and go get them when you need them. But there\u2019s more to Google Drive than meets the eye. Here are some of those useful features you may have missed.<\/p>\n

Find Files With the Advanced Search<\/h2>\n

The more files you upload to Google Drive, the more you have to look through when you need one. Luckily, you have advanced search options<\/a> that make the task easier.<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/strong> How to Quickly Search Google Drive<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Enter a keyword or phrase into the Search in Drive box at the top of the main page. Then, click the Show Search Options icon on the right side of the search box.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll see many options you can use to find your file. Choose the file type or owner, use keywords within the file or file name, pick the location, select a date-modified option, or use one of the other fields you see.<\/p>\n

\"Search<\/p>\n

Select \u201cSearch\u201d and then view your results. If you know which folder a file is in, you can also perform a search directly in a Google Drive folder<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Link Directly to Files<\/h2>\n

Another handy Google Drive feature is obtaining a direct link to your file<\/a>. You can do this without even opening the file. Then, save it to your notes for quick access or with a collaborator.<\/p>\n

Right-click the file and choose \u201cGet Link.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Get<\/p>\n

You can then choose \u201cCopy Link\u201d to place the link on your clipboard and paste it where you like. You can also use this box to share the link by entering your contact\u2019s email address.<\/p>\n

\"Copy<\/p>\n

At the bottom of the window, use the General Access section to control who can open the file with the link<\/a>. You can pick \u201cRestricted\u201d to only allow access to those you share with or \u201cAnyone With Link\u201d to let anybody who clicks the link open the file.<\/p>\n

\"General<\/p>\n

Work With Microsoft Office Files<\/h2>\n

You don\u2019t have to own Microsoft Office to work with Office files if you have Google Drive. You might receive a Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file that you need to view or edit. You can open these files in the corresponding Google app, Docs, Sheets, or Slides.<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/strong> How to Download Files and Folders From Google Drive<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Additionally, you can download<\/a> Docs, Sheets, and Slides documents in Microsoft Office formats.<\/p>\n

To open an Office document, upload it to Google Drive like any other file. Then either double-click or right-click, move to Open With, and pick from Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides.<\/p>\n

\"Open<\/p>\n

When the file opens in the corresponding app, you\u2019ll see the file format retained at the top. Your changes save automatically, and you can then download the file in its original Office format.<\/p>\n

\"Word<\/p>\n

If you have a Docs, Sheets, or Slides file that you want to export and save<\/a> in the Office format, this is just as easy. Open the document and go to the File tab. Move to Download and pick the format in the pop-out menu.<\/p>\n

\"Download<\/p>\n

Manage File Versions<\/h2>\n

Similar to obtaining a link to your file without opening it, you can manage its versions. This feature works with PDF and Microsoft Office files as well as images.<\/p>\n

Right-click the file and choose \u201cManage Versions.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Manage<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll then see a pop-up window with each version of the file, including the current version.<\/p>\n

\"Manage<\/p>\n

As you can see at the top of the window, older version may be deleted after 30 days or 100 stored versions. If you want to avoid losing a previous version, click the three dots to the right of it and pick \u201cKeep Forever.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Keep<\/p>\n

If you have a newer version saved to your device that you want to use, select \u201cUpload New Version.\u201d Then, browse for the file and pick \u201cUpload.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Upload<\/p>\n

Two more actions you can take are to delete or download any of the versions you see. Use the three dots to the right of the version to pick \u201cDelete\u201d or \u201cDownload.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Download<\/p>\n

View a File\u2019s Activity, Details, and Description<\/h2>\n

While it may seem like such a simple thing, being able to view the activity and details for a file might be exactly what you need to do. Additionally, you can take advantage of the descriptions in Google Drive<\/a> to add your own details.<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/strong> How to Change the Owner of a File in Google Drive<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Open the details sidebar one of these ways:<\/p>\n