When Google Drive was first launched, it acted as a place to download and store files in the "Cloud" so they could be accessed from any PC. Over time, as technology developed, Google Docs appeared, which now serves as a hub for creating documents and office tools. Today, you can even install apps on Drive to extend its functionality even further. To get the most out of the service, you need to learn in detail what Google Drive is and how to use it.
Initial settings
First of all, it needs to be configured. Sign in to the Google Drive website with your Google account. If you don't have an account, you can create one for free. Google Drive allows you to store files in the Cloud, as well as create documents and forms through the web interface.
Upload files to Google Drive. How to use the download? There are two ways to do this. You have the option to create documents in Google Drive directly or upload files from your PC. To create a new file, click the "Create" button. To download from the device, press the "Arrow" buttonup” next to the CREATE button.
Choose how your files are displayed. You can see them as large icons (grid) or as a list (sheet). The list view will show you the name of each document and the date and time it was last modified. The grid mode will display each file as a preview of its first page. You can change the mode by clicking on the button next to the gear icon in the upper right corner of the page.
How to use Google Drive on a computer? You can view the files using the navigation bar on the left. The menu item "My Drive" is the place where all your downloaded documents and folders are saved under any settings. Sharing contains files shared with you by other Google Drive users. "Tags" are documents that you have marked as important.
You can transfer files and folders to Google Drive to organize them however you like.
Google Drive: how to use files?
Check the box to select multiple documents. After that, various actions for the selected files will become available to you. If you are using large icon view, a checkbox will appear when you hover over the document. More options can be found in the Extras menu.
Click on the folder icon marked with "+" to create a new folder in Drive. You can create directories inside others forfile organization.
You can search through your documents and folders using the search bar located at the top right of the Google Drive page. Google Drive will search through titles, content and owners.
Google Drive data storage: how to use it on your phone?
If you want to use the service on a mobile device, there is a Google Drive app for IOS and Android that provides access to files from a smartphone or tablet. It can be downloaded free of charge from the respective online store. However, such services may not have full editing functionality, this largely depends on the version of the browser. You can easily figure out how to use Google Drive on Android, since the menu is practically the same as a computer one.
How do I get started with documents?
Press the "Create" button. You will see a menu giving you the right to choose which of the documents you want to create in Google Drive. How to use the available file types? You are offered several options by default, the rest you can add by clicking on the appropriate link at the bottom of the menu:
- "Folder" - creates a folder in My Drive to organize data.
- "Document" - opens a text type document. You can format and customize the page using the tools at the top. It is possible to export data to Microsoft Word, OpenOffice, PDF and other types of programs.
- "Presentation" - offers to run the equivalent of Microsoft PowerPoint. Data can be exported to a variety of formats: Microsoft PowerPoint, PDF, JPG, and so on.
- "Spreadsheet" - Provides an empty spreadsheet. Data can be exported to Microsoft Excel, PDF, CSV, OpenOffice and similar formats.
- "Form" - allows you to work with forms that can be filled out on the Internet. They can be exported to CSV files.
Creating a file in Google Drive
After selecting the document type, an empty file will open. If you selected "Presentation" or "Form", the application wizard settings will open to help you set up your new document.
At the top of the page, click on the gray text "Un titled". The Rename Document window will appear, allowing you to change the file name.
Start working with the document. Google Drive has most of the basic features, but advanced services may not be available. The document is saved automatically when you continue working in it.
If you want your file to be compatible with similar programs, open the "File" menu and find "Download As". A menu will appear with a suggestion of available formats. Make the right choice. You will be prompted to enter a filename and choose a location to download. When the document is uploaded, it will be presented in the format you have chosen.
How do I share a document?
Click "File" and "Share" or the corresponding blue button at the top right to open the general settings. You can specify who can view the file, as well as who can edit it.
Copy the link at the top of the document to share with whoever you want to share it with. You can use the buttons below to quickly share via Gmail, Google+, Facebook or Twitter.
Changing the document access settings can be done by clicking the "Change …" button. By default, the file is private and you must invite users to have access to it. You can change these options to allow everyone to view it.
To publish a document, presentation, or spreadsheet, click "File" and select "Publish to Web". This functionality creates a copy of the file that anyone can view. It becomes a separate web page that is not linked to your original document. This allows you to share information with anyone without changing your sharing settings.
A published document cannot be modified. You can still only edit the original file that remains in Google Drive. How to use the settings is described above.
If you have a printer installed or have access to a Google Cloud printer, you can print documents. Click on the "File" menu and select "Print" from the bottom of the list. You can specify which pages to print, andalso create page layout.
A preview will open after clicking the "Print" button, and you can select your printer by clicking on the "Change" button. This can be useful if you are trying to access your Google Cloud Printer from somewhere else.
Revert to an old document version
If you've made a lot of changes to a document and realize you need to go back to an older version, you can use the History tool to view old copies. Open a document and choose "File" from the menu. Click on "View Change History", which will display a box with a list of your edits on the right side of the page.
You can click on each change point in the list and view the file. If you find an old copy that you want to keep, click on the "Restore this link" tab.
Download Google Drive sync software for your computer
As you can see, the instruction on what Google Drive is and how to use it is not difficult. If you wish, you can also synchronize your local files with Google Drive. If you want to install such a program, click on the link located on the main Google Drive page.
After you download the app, install it and sign in with your Google account. The folder will be placed on your desktop, it will give you quick access to all your Google Drive files. Drag and drop any files you want to add to your Google Drive storage to it and they will be automatically uploaded. When the document is successfully loaded, itdisplays a green check mark on the icon.
