7 Simple Steps For Cleaning Up Your Google Drive

Just like any place you keep stuff, Google Drive can get messy.

- Jill Duffy

You make a file or two, import a couple of documents from Gmail, accept a shared folder, and before you know it, the whole place is a disaster.

You can organize Google Drive files by putting them into folders and using other tools, both conceptual and actual, to ensure you can always find what you need. These tips will show you how to organize files in Google Drive for work or personal convenience.

1. SET YOUR DEFAULT VIEW

You can view files and folders in Google Drive in numerous ways. For instance, you can display everything in a list or grid view, as well as set the line spacing to comfortable, cozy, or compact. Decide how you like to look at your Google Drive by fiddling with the settings until you’re happy. I like list view with comfortable spacing, so that’s what you’ll see in most of the screenshots here.

Don’t overlook the left side rail. A lot of people focus on the center of the screen when they look at Google Drive. You can see your folders and subfolders easily and reserve the center of the screen for the contents of whatever folder you choose to view.

2. CREATE A SKELETON OF FOLDERS

Create a skeleton of folders for yourself using whatever structure and names work best for you. How do you organize your files and folders in other apps? What comes to mind when you think about a document you need? The best way to figure out how to set up your folders is to answer those two questions.