Google Drive Uploading and Syncing Files

Author: mety Labels:: Google Drive Uploading and Syncing Files

Google Drive

Uploading and Syncing Files

Introduction

Google Drive makes it easy to store and access your files online in the cloud, allowing you to access them from any computer with an internet connection. If you upload files from compatible programs like Microsoft Word or Excel, you can even use Google Docs to edit them.

In this lesson, you'll learn how to upload files to your Google Drive and convert certain files to the Google Docs format. You'll also learn how to use Google Cloud Connect to configure your Microsoft Office programs so that files are automatically uploaded to your Google Drive whenever you edit them.

Uploading and Syncing Files

Watch the video (4:36). Need help?

Watch the video to learn how to upload and sync files in Google Drive.

Uploading Files to Google Drive

Google Drive gives you five gigabytes (5 GB) of free storage space to upload files from your computer and storethem in the cloud. There are two main types of files you can store on your Google Drive:

Files you can edit, like Microsoft Office files, PDFs, and other text-based files.
Files you cannot edit, like music, videos, compressed archives (.zip files), and most other files.

Once you upload a file, no matter what type of file it is, you'll be able to manage, organize, share, and access it from anywhere. And because the files on Google Drive are synced across your devices, you'll always see the most recent version of a file.

You can also preview many different file types, even if you don't have the software required for that file on your computer. For example, you can use Google Drive to preview a Photoshop file, even if Photoshop is not installed on your current computer.

Converting Files to Google Docs Format

If you are uploading files that you plan to edit online, you will need to convert them to Google Docs format. Converting allows you to edit a file and to collaborate with others easily. Only certain file types, like MS Office files and PDF documents can be converted to Google Docs format.

Unfortunately, this conversion isn't always perfect. Depending on the level of formatting used in the original document, the converted Google Doc could turn out looking quite different, as shown in the example below.

The original Word document vs. the Google doc

Conversion changes aren't always just cosmetic—you may even lose information from the original file. You should always review a file that's been converted before sharing it with others. Remember that you always have the option to store your files in their original file format if you'd prefer not to edit files online.

Uploading Files and Folders to Google Drive

If you plan to use Google Drive primarily as cloud-based storage for keeping your files online, it's easy to movefiles and folders from your computer to your Google Drive. Google Drive acts like another folder on your computer. Whenever you move a file to the Google Drive folder, that file is moved online and is no longer stored locally on your computer, allowing you to access the same version of that file from any computer connected to the internet.

Any file moved to your Google Drive will no longer be stored on your computer's hard drive. If you would like to keep a version of the file on both your computer and your Google Drive, you can create a copy to store online. Keep in mind, however, that creating multiple versions of a file will not allow you to take advantage of Google Drive's powerful syncing features.

To Upload Files:

Locate the file on your computer that you wish to upload to your Google Drive.
Click, hold and drag the file to the Google Drive folder.
Moving a file to your Google Drive
The file will appear automatically on your Google Drive and the file is no longer stored on your computer. Now you can access the file from anywhere by signing in to your Google Drive.
Viewing a file on your Google Drive

If you prefer not to use a shortcut, you can drag the file directly to the Google Drive folder in Windows.

Moving the file to the Google Drive folder

To Upload Folders:

Uploading individual files can start to become very time consuming. Fortunately, you can also move entire foldersto Google Drive. Whenever you upload a folder, the folder and every file stored within it will be uploaded to your Google Drive.

Locate the folder you wish to upload to your Google Drive.
Click and drag the folder to the Google Drive shortcut on the desktop.
Moving a folder to Google Drive
The folder and its files will appear automatically on your Google Drive.
Viewing a folder on your Google Drive

In this example, we uploaded files to Google Drive using Windows 7. The process may differ slightly if you are using an different version of Windows or Mac OS X.

To Open a File:

Whenever you want to view a file in your Google Drive, you can open it directly from your Google Drive folder. Simply double-click a file to open it. If the file is in Google Docs format, the file will open in a new browser window.

Opening a Google Docs file from the Google Drive folder

If you have Microsoft Office installed on your computer, any MS Office files (like .doc, .xls, or .ppt files) you open from the Google Drive folder will open automatically in MS Office. Any changes you make to the file will be automatically synced when you save your document, allowing you to access the same version of the file from another computer.

Uploading Files and Folders on the Web

You can upload files to your Google Drive from anywhere using the web uploader. The process is a little more complicated than uploading files using the Google Drive folder on your primary computer, but it's an easy way to upload files from any device.

The web uploader also allows you to choose your conversion settings, which makes it easy to convert certain file types to Google Docs format for later editing.

To Upload a File on the Web:

While viewing your Google Drive, locate and select the Upload button .
Clicking Upload
Select Files... from the drop-down menu.
Uploading a file to Google Drive
Locate and select the file(s) you wish to upload and then click Open.
Selecting a file to upload
The Upload settings dialog box will appear, which allows you to choose your conversion settings:
1. Check the first box if you wish to convert some types of files into Google Docs format. After the files are converted, you will be able to edit them. Remember, some of the formatting from your original file may be left out of the converted version
2. Check the second box if you want PDF and image files to be converted into text documents. Again, note that the converted docs may contain errors.
3. Check the third box if you would like to review these settings each time you upload a new file. We recommend that you do check this box, so that you can always choose the best settings for the file you're uploading.
Upload settings
When you're satisfied with the Upload settings, click Start upload. The file will appear on your Google Drive. Note that the file has also been converted from a MS Word (.doc) format to a Google Docs format.
Viewing the file on your Google Drive

Depending on your browser and operating system, you may be able to upload files by simply clicking and dragging a file from your computer into your Google Drive.

Uploading a file by clicking and dragging

Uploading Folders with Google Chrome

If you use Google Chrome as your internet browser, you can also upload entire folders to your Google Drive from the web.

To Upload a Folder on the Web:

Click the Upload button and select Folder... from the drop-down menu.
Uploading a folder
Locate and select the folder you wish to upload and then click OK.
Selecting a folder to upload
If desired, review and modify your Upload settings and then click Start upload.
Upload settings
Your folder and all the files within it will appear on your Google Drive.
The uploaded folder and its files
Using Google Cloud Connect

If you have the Microsoft Office suite installed on your computer, you can set up Google Cloud Connect for Microsoft Office. When using Cloud Connect, any new files you create in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint areautomatically uploaded to your Google Drive and saved to your hard drive. In addition to uploading your files, Cloud Connect syncs your files, which means that when you edit a document in Microsoft Office, those changes will be reflected in both the Drive and Office versions.

To use Google Cloud Connect, you must install an add-on that will appear as an extra toolbar in your Microsoft Office programs. To download this add-on, you must have either Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7, and either the 2003, 2007, or 2010 version of Microsoft Office.

Please note that Cloud Connect doesn't always work exactly the way it's supposed to. You should double-check your Drive and Office files to make sure that the uploading and syncing is working properly.

To Set Up Google Cloud Connect:
1. Close any open Microsoft Office programs.
2. Go to the Google Cloud Connect for Microsoft Office page and click Download Google Cloud Connect.
  Downloading Google Cloud Connect for Microsoft Office
3. The Terms of Service page will appear. Click Accept and Install to continue.
  The Cloud Connect terms of service
4. The Google Cloud Connect Installer will open automatically. Depending on your current internet browser, the download and installation process may be a little more complicated. Step-by-step instructions will appear in the browser window if you are not sure how to proceed.
5. Select Close when the installer in finished.
  Saving the Google Cloud Connect add-on
6. Open a Microsoft Office program like Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.
7. In the top part of the screen, you should see the Google Cloud Connect Toolbar. Click Login.
  The Cloud Connect toolbar in Word
8. Two dialog boxes will appear: the Global Settings dialog box, and the Approve Access to your Google Account dialog box. If you are not logged in to your Google Account, enter your login information in theApprove Access to your Google Account dialog box and click Sign in.
  Logging into Google accounts
9. Once you're logged into your account, click Grant Access in the Approve Access to Your Google Accountdialog box.
  Approve Access to your Google Account
10. If desired, review and modify the Google Cloud Connect settings in the Global Settings dialog box.
  1. Choose automatic or manual syncing. Setting this option to Manual means that you will have to individually sync each new document that you want to appear on your Google Drive.
  2. If you choose to sync your files automatically, all of your Office files will open in Protected View. To prevent this, check Disable Protected View.
  3. If you would like Microsoft Office to automatically save downloaded Google Drive files in a set location, uncheck Ask where to save each file before opening. Then, click Change... to select a different location.
  Cloud Connect Global Settings
11. When you're satisfied with your settings, click OK. Google Cloud Connect is now set up, and will sync to Google Drive any new Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations you create.
  A Word document, synced using Cloud Connect
Google Cloud Connect may occasionally log you out of your account, which makes automatic uploading and syncing impossible. As you make changes to your docs in the Office programs, check to make sure that you remain logged into your Google account.