11 Google Drive Tips to Save You Time

11 Google Drive Tips to Save You Time. Make the most of Google's cloud service with these Google Drive tips

Anyone who has ever had their computer freeze while writing something important will be grateful for Google Drive, one of the best cloud storage options out there – but it's not just for that.

Good Drive is the right choice for many professional teams across industries who work together every day – including Tom's Guide. I've personally learned some Google Drive tips and tricks that have definitely improved my productivity at work and I'd love to share them with you . 

So with that, here are 11 Google Drive tips to save you time.

1. Use Google Drawings to edit images

If you need to edit an image quickly but don't have access to Photoshop, you could do worse than using Google Drawings. It doesn't have anything like the functionality of Adobe's image suite, but it's free and easy to access. On the Google Drive home screen, simply select My Drive It is Click in more. This expanded menu will contain Google Drawings, among other useful apps.

 2. Use advanced search to filter results

Those who have dozens or even hundreds of documents with similar titles may have a hard time finding exactly which 'untitled 1.docx' they're looking for (no judgment, okay?). In a case like this, the default search bar is less useful. 

Happily, selecting the filter icon On the right side of the search bar, you can apply additional parameters to search, including: owner, type, modification date, and a host of other differentiating features. 

 3. Install add-ons  

If you're using the vanilla version of Google Drive, you're probably missing out. Just like iOS and Android have their apps and Chrome has their extensions, Google Drive Workspace has add-ons. 

With a large number of free offerings that have been downloaded by millions of users, you can add a huge amount of new features to your drive for no cost. Add-ons like Automagical Forms are a great free option for converting fiddly PDF files. Simply click on the plus button in the lower right of the screen, then browse, search and download add-ons from the Workspace Marketplace.

4. Access files offline 

Imagine the scenario: you need to get a document finished in the next hour, but you're about to run for a train where you'll have no cellular coverage. Disaster, right? Not if you have Offline working enabled! Using Offline mode, you can work on documents even when you have no internet connection. Of course, you'll have to set this up ahead of your internet drought, while you still have a connection.

Go to your Drive Settings, then to General and make sure Offline is ticked. You'll have to make individual documents or files available for offline. To do this, while in a document, select File and then Make available offline. 

5. Share files with others  

One of the biggest advantages of using Google's office suite compared to Microsoft's is the ability to share documents, spreadsheets, slides and forms with the click of a button. Enough select the share button in the top right corner and type the name of someone in your contacts you want to share with. In larger companies and networks, this feature is invaluable for ensuring everyone is working with the same materials and information. This is a great way to get around Gmail's 25MB attachment limit.

 6. Scan from your phone  

Using the application Google Drive on your phone, you can take a photo with your phone, scan it and upload it directly to your Drive. Enough open the application , select the icon addition, tap scan and take a photo with the phone. 

 7. Multitasking within Drive

You don't need to have multiple tabs open when using any Google Drive app. The explore function opens a sidebar on your screen where you can search the net for information and references or find images and even filter through your own drive and shared files. Enough select the explore button in the lower right corner of the screen.  

8. Remove complex formatting

When copying and pasting information into a document from multiple sources, it can end up looking messy and difficult to work with.

 However To clear all text formatting in Google Docs and return it to default text, just highlight it , select 'tools' in the toolbar and click Clear all formatting Or just use the shortcut Ctrl + \ on Windows and Cmd+\ on Mac. 

So you can also remove all formatting when pasting text: press Ctrl + Shift + V on Windows or Cmd + Shift + V on Mac. This saves my editors a lot of headaches.  

 9. Bookmark your frequently used documents 

Indeed If you are looking for the same documents, spreadsheets etc repeatedly, why not add them to your favorites list, you can find them in a separate tab in seconds.

So To do this, just right click on the document It is select Add to favorites . You can now find it in the Starred tab of your Google Drive home screen. 

 10. Create a shared drive 

However, there is no need to constantly email different versions of documents between team members. 

So With a shared drive, everyone you invite can access and even edit directly in the document. 

So it's quite simple, just select Shared drives It is click Create a shared drive . Now, just name it and invite your team to collaborate.  

11. Rescue documents from the trash 

So We've all accidentally deleted something important before. Just like the Windows recycle bin, Google Drive has you covered. Items in the trash will remain for 30 days. Click the Recycle Bin button , in the lower left corner, and then , right-click a document for restore it or condemn him to be erased forever.