How to use Google Drive like a boss

Google‘s cloud storage system is a useful place to backup your files, but it can feel like a dumping ground. Here’s how to get the most out of it

In 2018, Google Drive hit a billion users – making it the eighth of Google’s products to have over one billion users. But out of all of them, how many can claim that they’ve never struggled to find a file stuck between holiday pictures uploaded in no particular order?

Here is a round-up of tips to make the most of Google’s beloved storage service, so that you never again lose precious time scrolling past unnamed documents and duplicates of monthly budgets.

Learn which files can go where and how

Google Drive is all about storing files. But which files? Well, it turns out, pretty much all of them – it’s just a matter of knowing how to. If you install Google’s Backup and Sync programme, for example, all files on your computer, as well as the changes you make to them, will automatically back up to your Drive. You can also download Save to Google Drive, an extension that will appear on your web browser and that will let you save anything you see online and which you deem worthy of interest to a Drive folder. And don’t forget that you can save time and avoid downloading Gmail attachments by uploading them directly to your Drive instead.

Drive can also be a faster option when sending files – and that will come in handy when your email attachments reach Gmail’s 25MB attachment limit. Using the Google Drive icon at the bottom of your email, you can insert up to 10 gigabytes worth of pictures and documents. Another option, if your document can be shown to the public, is to share it to the web by clicking “Public – on the web” as you get a shareable link. The file, which will be in your name, will be made available to search engines.

Let Google Drive do the hard work for you

Here’s some good news: Google can actually carry out some of the most time-consuming tasks that you don’t have time for. This includes pulling out text from images simply by uploading pictures or PDFs, and letting Google’s word scanner work its magic to transform it into searchable text.

It is also worth keeping in mind that you can translate your document using the Tools tab at the top. If you are using a Chrome browser, that’s also where you can switch on voice typing, which lets you rest your fingertips and dictate your text, while still being able to type edits when using the tool.

Read more: https://www.wired.co.uk/article/google-drive-hacks-tips