Organizing Google Drive
- Sam Kardasz
For more Google Drive organization tips, check out this helpful resource from Tettra, a comprehensive knowledge management company. Organizing Google Drive: 13 Best Tips for 2024 - Tettra
Use Consistent Naming Conventions
Naming convention is how you choose to name your files.
Even though Google Drive allows you to name your files however you want, keeping it consistent will help you stay organized. Consistent naming conventions will make your Google Drive look neat and organized.
Here are a few ways you can keep your file names consistent.
Keep them short but meaningful to you and your teammates.
Consider adding a date – include month, day, and year. (YYYY-MM-DD TOPIC X)
Use hashtags or numbers to put files and folders in order (instead of going for the often-used alphabetical format) (001. TOPIC X)
Keep it short, simple, and straightforward. Extraneous words like “and,” and “the” are not necessary.
Don’t optimize the “Shared with me” section
Often users feel overwhelmed by the “Shared with Me” section in Google Drive. But it’s simply a collection of shared files others have given you access to.
While tidying up this area is tempting, it’s best to leave it be. Consider it a feed displaying files you can access but don’t own.
Deleting files here might cause issues for you or others, so embrace it as a useful feature rather than a cluttered space.
Use the Recent sidebar
As an avid Google Drive user, you’ve probably needed quick access to a document you or your team recently collaborated on within a folder.
For example, your teammate just finished working on a document, and you need to double-check a detail in the document quickly.
Simply open Google Drive, and select the correct folder. The Activity pane will show only recent actions related to that folder, making it easy to find what you need.
Use the Star feature for quick access to important files and folders
Have you ever searched for those crucial documents scattered throughout your Google Drive folder hierarchy?
Starring your files is a nifty trick to help you save some precious time. It’s a simple way to gather all your critical files in one convenient location for easy access.
Starring a document is simple – click the star icon right next to the file name, and you’re all set!
To browse your starred content, click the Starred entry in the left navigation of Google Drive, and behold all the essential documents you’ve added to this folder, neatly organized and waiting for you.
