When it comes to Google apps, most people search for hidden functions in Docs, new features in Sheets, or interesting features in Slides. But Google Drive, the central hub for all those apps’ documents, has its own set of features.
Here are a few features of Google Drive that you may not know exist, having cropped up over time and under the radar.
View file locations
Just like on Windows and Mac, you may want to see where a file is located by checking the file path† You can see the exact location of a file in Google Drive. This is useful for opening the correct file when multiple files have the same name, and for jumping directly to a folder that contains a file.
Step 1: You can view the location of a file in recent† With star† Wasteand To search† So open one of these areas using the navigation on the left.
Step 2: On the right side of the file list, you will see a column for Place†
Step 3: Move your cursor over the file location. When the popup appears, select a spot in the path to go directly to it.
You can also select a file and see the full path at the bottom of the screen. You can also select a place in the path to go there.
This feature has arrived in June 2022 for all Google Drive users.
Search for Google Meet content
like you use google meet for video calls and meetings with your team, you can go to Google Drive for items related to that meeting. Instead of searching through folders and files, you can find all Google Meet content in Drive with a simple search.
Go to the To search field at the top of Google Drive and type: app:”Google Meet”† Press Enter or Yield and you’ll see all the results of your Google Meet search.
This gives you quick access to things like recordings, transcripts, reports and notes.
Google introduced this handy feature to all Drive users in May 2022†
Cut, copy and paste files with shortcuts
Another somewhat hidden feature of Google Drive worth checking out is shortcuts. You can cut, copy and paste files all over Google Drive using the Google Chrome browser† This allows you to easily move a file from one place to another or make a copy of it in a shared folder.
Step 1: Select a file to move (cut) or copy. You cannot currently use shortcuts to cut or copy folders, only files.
- In Windows, press Ctrl † X cut or Ctrl † C to copy.
- On the Mac, press Assignment † X cut or Assignment † C to copy.
At the bottom left of the window, you will see a short message that you have cut or copied a file.
Step 2: Navigate to the place in Google Drive where you want the cut or copied file.
Step 3: Press Ctrl † V on Windows or Assignment † V on Mac to paste the file. At the bottom left of the window, you will see a short message that you have moved a file or made a copy of a file.
Like the Google Meet search above, this feature hit the scene in May 2022 for all Drive users.
These kinds of secret Google Drive features are useful to keep in mind. Whether you need a file location, Google Meet content, or want to quickly move or copy a file, remember these helpful features.
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