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How to Add Files to Google Drive

By Justin Pot · March 28, 2019
how-to-add-files-to-google-dri primary img

There are several ways to add a file to your Google Drive. You can create documents in your browser, upload them from your computer, or automatically copy files to Google Drive from another service. Let’s go over every method.

Create New Files in Google Docs, Sheets, Forms, and Slides

Creating new documents in Google Drive is simple. Simply head to drive.google.com and click the + New button at top-left.

Google Drive New button

From here you can create a new document in and Google Drive service.

Google Drive new submenu

You can also quickly create a new document by typing certain URLs in your address bar, as Google outlines here.

Introducing a ✨ .new ✨ time-saving trick for users. Type any of these .new domains to instantly create Docs, Sheets, Slides, Sites or Forms ↓ pic.twitter.com/erMTHOsdyH

— Google Docs (@googledocs) October 25, 2018

Here are those URLs:

  • Docs: doc.new, docs.new, document.new

  • Forms: form.new, forms.new

  • Sheets: sheet.new, sheets.new, spreadsheet.new

  • Sites: site.new, sites.new, website.new

  • Slides: slides.new, deck.new, presentation.new

This is a really quick way to open a new tab and create a document, so try to remember one URL for each kind of document you make regularly.

Upload Files or Folders From Your Computer to Google Drive

You can also upload files from your computer. One way to do this is to click the New button, as shown above. Next, click File upload to browse your computer for any file or Folder upload to browse your computer for any folder.

Google Drive upload option

Another, potentially faster way to do this is by clicking-and-dragging. Simple drag the file or folder from your computer’s file browser and drop it onto an open instance of Google Drive in your browser.

Google Drive drag and drop

Sync Files Using Google Drive Backup and Sync

Google Drive Backup and Sync

Google offers Backup and Sync, an application you can install on your computer in order to back up any folder on your computer over to Google Drive automatically. Simply install Backup and Sync and you can add any folder on your computer to automatically upload all files to Google Drive. You'll also get a new Google Drive folder on your computer. Save or add files to that folder and they'll be added to Google Drive, and you'll also be able to see your Google Drive files in File Explorer or Finder.

Add Files From Other Services Using Zapier

Want to automatically copy files from other applications over to Google Drive? You can do that with Zapier. For example, you could automatically send all attachments in Gmail over to Google Drive.

Save new Gmail attachments to Google Drive

  • Gmail logo
  • Filter by Zapier logo
  • Google Drive logo
Gmail + Filter by Zapier + Google Drive
More details
    It can be difficult to track down files attached to emails. Zapier can simplify your email and file management by automatically saving your email attachments to Google Drive for safekeeping. Whenever you get a new email in Gmail with an attachment, this Zap will save it to the Google Drive folder you want - just be sure to pick one when setting this up, otherwise we'll add the file to the root of your Drive. Get a step-by-step walkthrough in our

    You could also automatically add files from other cloud services.

    Add new Google Drive files to Dropbox

    • Google Drive logo
    • Dropbox logo
    Google Drive + Dropbox
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      Dropbox and Google Drive are both great apps for accessing the files you need to work with. Now you can make sure new files end up in both, automatically with this integration. No extra work from you!

      Copy new Dropbox files to Google Drive

      • Dropbox logo
      • Google Drive logo
      Dropbox + Google Drive
      More details
        Dropbox and Google Drive are both great apps for accessing the files you need to work with. Now you can make sure new files end up in both with this integration. Automatically add a file to your Google Drive as soon as it's added to your Dropbox account.

        Copy new Box files to Google Drive

        • Box logo
        • Google Drive logo
        Box + Google Drive
        More details
          If your team uses Google Drive for collaboration, and you receive new files in Box, Zapier can copy these files to your Google Drive account automatically. After you have set up this integration, your new Box files will be saved automatically in Google Drive. It's the perfect way to collaborate and use the file sharing tools that are best for everyone.

          Copy new OneDrive files to Google Drive

          • OneDrive logo
          • Google Drive logo
          OneDrive + Google Drive
          More details
            Tired of manually organizing your files? This Zap can help. Once this OneDrive-Google Drive integration is active, each new file added to OneDrive will automatically be stored in Google Drive.

            Check out more ways to automate Google Drive.

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