Google Drive Blog: 2016

Save time with Quick Access in Drive

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Today, we’re launching Quick Access, which shaves 50 percent off the average time it takes to get to the right file by eliminating the need to search for it. It uses machine learning to intelligently predict the files you need before you’ve even typed anything.

Quick Access predictions are based on an understanding of your Drive activity, as well as your interaction with colleagues and your workday patterns such as recurring team meetings or regular reviews of forecasting spreadsheets. Starting today, Quick Access will be available globally for G Suite customers on Android. Give it a try, and file away the time you save for more productive activities.
Posted by Cayden Meyer, Product Manager, Google Drive

What you love about Google Search — now for Drive

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Innovation is critical for business success, so we're constantly trying to build tools that enable our customers to do more. Starting today, you can use Natural Language Processing (NLP) and other new and improved features in Drive search on web to find files easier and faster. You'll also see a couple of highly-requested Google Docs features that have been added based on your feedback (thank you!).
Search faster and with easeNatural Language Processing (NLP) is a fancy way of saying “search like you talk.” You can type things like “find my budget spreadsheet from last December” or “show me presentations from Anissa.” Drive will understand what you mean and give you the option to click for those specific search results. Drive NLP will get better with each query — so keep on searching. ;)

Get help with speling — er, spellingWhen you're trying to find a doc fast, it's easy for typos to slip into your search. Drive now has a new autocorrect feature that suggests corrections to misspelled search terms — which can really help when your brain is moving faster than your fingers.

Enjoy other updates based on your feedbackWe’ve also added a few small but mighty features in Google Docs to help you create your best work:

You can now easily split your document into multiple columns in Docs. Just choose “Columns” in the “Format” drop-down menu when you need more formatting options to get your point across.

We know that work happens in all types of file formats. So, when you open, convert and edit non-Google files in Docs, Sheets and Slides, we’ll now save a copy for you. Just view or download the non-Google source file in its original format directly from Revision History in Docs, Sheets and Slides on the web.

These features are available globally and will roll out gradually starting today. As always, tell us know what you think about these new features on Google+ and Twitter. We’re listening.
Posted by Josh Smith, Product Manager, Google Drive

Grow your ideas with Evernote and Drive

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Being able to capture your ideas is a pretty big deal — after all, you never know which one might become the one. But for an idea to really take shape, it often needs context like research, drawings, documents, and photos. Evernote is a popular tool for capturing ideas and, starting today, you can easily drop any file from Google Drive into Evernote notes to add context. Instead of pasting links to files, Drive content added to Evernote will now include thumbnail previews and a rich viewing experience. You can also search Drive from Evernote and any changes to files in Drive will sync automatically with your notes. There’s even a handy icon in the Evernote toolbar to jump right into your Drive. "Evernote is where people capture and nurture ideas," said Erik Wrobel, Chief Product Officer at Evernote. "This integration with Google Drive helps people cultivate those ideas with rich context." Along with those recently announced in Yahoo Mail and WhatsApp, this new integration with Evernote is another way your files in Drive become more useful in more places. You can start using this today in Evernote on the web and Android. As always, let us know what you think on Google+ and Twitter.
Posted by Ramesh Nagarajan, Group Product Manager, Google Drive

Because your computer only has so much space

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Google Drive for Mac/PC — the app that syncs files on your computer with Google Drive — is an easy way to make sure your files are safe and accessible from anywhere. Today, some new features are rolling out that’ll make your syncing and sharing experience even better.
Select what you syncDrive can store terabytes (upon terabytes) but there’s a good chance your computer’s hard drive will run out of space if you sync everything. Fortunately, you can now select which folders or subfolders you want to sync — and deselect the ones you don’t. When you deselect a folder, it’ll be removed from your computer but still kept safely in Drive. And Drive shows you the size of each folder, so you'll know how much space you're freeing up.

Take care of shared files and folders After you sync your files, Drive makes it easy to move and delete items directly from your computer. But doing that with shared files can cause others to lose access. Now, Drive warns you when this might happen.

These updates are rolling out over the next week or so. As always, stay in touch on Google+ and Twitter to let us know what you think. Happy syncing! Posted by Aakash Sahney, Google Drive Product Manager

Because your files should always be where you are

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Keeping your files in Google Drive means that you can access them from just about anywhere — on all your devices. Starting today, "anywhere" also includes the Android and iOS versions of Yahoo Mail and WhatsApp.
In the Yahoo Mail app, you can now add Drive files to your messages and replies. Just search for the file you want, grant access to your recipients, and it will be added to your email — no attachment needed.

In WhatsApp, you can attach documents from Drive to your messages.

These updates are rolling out over the next week or so. As always, stay in touch on Google+ and Twitter to let us know what you think.
Happy sharing!
Posted by Mike Procopio, Staff Software Engineer, Google Drive

Up your online safety in just two minutes

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Online safety is super important. And today, on Safer Internet Day, we're hoping you can help us help you make your Google Account even more secure. Just complete a two-minute Security Checkup — seriously, we timed it — and once you're done, you'll get a permanent 2 gigabyte bump in your Google Drive storage. It's our way of saying thanks for looking out for number one (you, that is). Screen Shot 2016-02-02 at 1.37.16 PM.png

Screen Shot 2016-02-02 at 1.37.16 PM.png

Please feel free to spread the word as well. Your friends will appreciate the reminder — and the extra Drive storage, too. ;-) Happy Safer Internet Day! Posted by Alex Vogenthaler, Group Product Manager, Google Drive

Please note: To receive this offer, you must successfully complete the Security Checkup by 11 February 2016. This bonus storage offer does not apply to Google Apps for Work or Google Apps for Education accounts.

Organization in Drive should be super easy

Thursday, January 14, 2016

When you're browsing files, the toolbar now shows a “Move” icon for files already in Drive and “Add to My Drive” for everything else.

When previewing files, a new icon lets you add the file to any folder in “My Drive” quickly and easily.

From search results, you can now drag and drop files into folders.