What Type Of Files Can Be Uploaded To Google Drive

Lesson 4: Uploading Files to Google Drive

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Uploading and syncing files

Google Drive makes it easy to store and access your files online in the cloud, allowing yous to access them from any reckoner with an Cyberspace connection. If you upload files from compatible programs like Microsoft Word or Excel, you lot can even edit them in Google Drive. Spotter the video below to learn how to upload files to Google Drive.

Uploading files to Google Drive

Google Drive gives y'all 15 gigabytes (15GB) of free storage space to upload files from your computer and store them in the deject. At that place are two main types of files you tin can shop on your Google Drive:

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

Once you lot upload a file—no thing what blazon of file information technology is—you'll be able to manage, organize, share, and admission information technology from anywhere. And because the files on Google Drive are synced across your devices, you'll always run across the most recent version of a file.

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

Converting files to Google Drive formats

If yous are uploading files you plan to edit online, you will need to convert them to Google Drive format. Converting allows yous to edit a file and interact with others easily. Just certain file types—like Microsoft Office files and PDF documents—can be converted to Google Drive formats.

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

Conversion changes aren't always just cosmetic—yous may even lose information from the original file. You should always review a file that'south been converted before sharing it with others. Retrieve, yous e'er 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

It'south easy to upload files from your computer to Google Drive. If you're using the Google Chrome web browser, you can even upload unabridged folders.

To upload a file:

From Google Drive, locate and select the New push button, then select File upload.
Locate and select the file( s) yous desire to upload, then click Open up.
The file(southward) will be uploaded to your Google Drive.

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

Drag and drop file into Drive.

To upload a binder:

Note: This feature is only bachelor if yous're accessing Google Drive through Google Chrome.

Click the New button, then select Binder upload.
Locate and select the folder y'all want to upload, and so click OK.
The folder and the files within it will exist uploaded to your Google Drive.

Converting files to Google Docs format

When you upload certain types of files—such every bit Microsoft Office files or PDF documents—y'all'll but be able to view those files. If yous want to edit these types of files in Google Bulldoze, you'll need to convert them to Google Docs format.

To convert a file:

Locate and double-click the file you want to edit.
A preview of the file will appear. Select Open at the summit of the screen.
The file volition be converted to a Google document and appear in a new tab.
If y'all go back to your Google Drive, you'll meet that there are now two copies of the file: the original file and the new version in Google Docs format.

You can ready Google Drive to convert your files automatically when y'all upload them. Click the gear icon, select Settings, then cheque the box adjacent to Convert uploads.

Enabling convert uploaded files in Google Drive settings

Challenge!

Open up Google Drive and upload a Microsoft Function file. If you don't have an Function file on your figurer, you tin can download a copy of our example.
Convert your file to a Google document.
If you used our case file, your screen should await something like this: