Google Drive

Best Practices

1. Accurately Label your Files. To save you time and energy in the future be sure to name your files something that will accurately describe the content. Add dates if necessary to stay up to date with the latest revision or version of a file.

2. Move outdated files into "Old" folder. If you are replacing an existing file with a newer version it is best to save the old version in an "Old" folder so it can easily be referred back to if needed. This way everyone accessing the files can tell what is the most current version without sifting through each files' details.

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Navigating the Drive

You can find files in Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides by searching for:

• File title

• File contents

• Items featured in pictures, PDF files, or other files stored on your Drive

You can only search for files stored in My Drive or shared drives. Files stored in folders shared with you won't appear in your search unless you add the folders to My Drive. Learn how to add files to My Drive.

You can also sort and filter search results.

Search for your files

1. On your computer, sign into drive.google.com.

2. At the top, type a word or phrase into the search box.

3. On your keyboard, press Enter.

Search tips

• Search results will appear as you type.

• Google Drive searches the titles and content of all files you have permission to see.

• To see all results, press Enter on your keyboard.

Filter your Drive results

To find files more easily in Drive, you can narrow search results by filtering them.

1. On your computer, go to drive.google.com.

2. At the top, type a word or phrase into the search box.

3. To narrow your search, click the Down arrow .

4. Fill out any of the following sections:

• Type: File types such as documents, images, or PDFs.

• Date modified: The date a file was last edited.

• Item name: Searches only for the title of the file.

• Has the words: Searches for words and phrases within documents.

• Owner: The person the file belongs to.

• Shared with: Who can view, comment, or edit the file.

• Location: Whether the file is in a specific folder, "Trash," or "Starred." You can also search for files available to people in your organization.

• Follow up: If the file has action items assigned to you, or suggestions in files you own.

5. At the bottom, click Search.