Can You Do Shortcuts in Google Drive and Master Navigation

Author

Reads 1K

Close-up of a businesswoman organizing files in a black box in an office setting.
Credit: pexels.com, Close-up of a businesswoman organizing files in a black box in an office setting.

Mastering Google Drive navigation can be a game-changer for productivity. You can create shortcuts to frequently used files and folders, making it easier to access them quickly.

Google Drive allows you to create shortcuts to any file or folder, even if it's located in a different folder or drive. This is especially useful for files that you need to access frequently but don't want to spend time navigating to their original location.

To create a shortcut, right-click on the file or folder and select "Make a copy" or "Create a shortcut." This will create a duplicate of the file or folder, but it will be much smaller in size and won't take up as much storage space.

You can also create shortcuts to Google Drive folders, making it easier to access your files from different locations.

Navigation and View

Navigation and View in Google Drive can be a breeze with the right shortcuts. You can toggle between the navigation panel, items view, and details pane by using the keyboard shortcuts.

Credit: youtube.com, Updated keyboard shortcuts and navigation in Google Drive

To quickly access the navigation panel, press G and then N or G and then F. This will take you to the folders list, where you can easily navigate through your files and folders.

If you need to switch between the grid view and list view, press V while in the items view. This is super helpful when you need to see a lot of files at once.

You can also quickly access the details pane for a highlighted file or folder by pressing G and then D. This is great for getting more information about a file without having to click on it.

Here are some of the most useful navigation and view shortcuts in Google Drive:

  • Navigation Panel: G and then N or G and then F
  • Items View: G and then L
  • Toggle Grid/List View: V
  • Details Pane: G and then D
  • Google Bar: G and then T
  • File Download Status: G and then A
  • File Upload Status: G and then U
  • Show Details Pane: D
  • Show Activity Pane: I

File and Item Management

File and item management in Google Drive is a breeze with the right shortcuts. You can use the arrow keys or JKLH to select the next item down, up, left, or right without keeping the previous items selected.

Credit: youtube.com, This Simple File Management System Changed My Life!

To extend your selected items, hold Shift and press the relevant arrow key. This comes in handy when you want to select a group of files.

You can move the cursor without adding to the selection by holding Ctrl and pressing the relevant arrow key. This is useful when you want to skip a file or two and then select files after it.

To open the selected item, press O or simply hit the Enter key on your keyboard. This is a quick way to access the file or folder you need.

If you want to open the selected item in a new browser tab, press Ctrl + Enter. This is a great way to multitask and keep your workflow going.

You can also use shortcuts to rename the currently selected item by pressing N, or open the sharing options dialogue on a selected item by pressing . (the period or dot key).

Here are the action shortcuts for file management in Google Drive:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the shortcut to move files in Google Drive?

To move files in Google Drive, press Ctrl + X. This action will cut the file and allow you to paste it in a new location.

Jeannie Larson

Senior Assigning Editor

Jeannie Larson is a seasoned Assigning Editor with a keen eye for compelling content. With a passion for storytelling, she has curated articles on a wide range of topics, from technology to lifestyle. Jeannie's expertise lies in assigning and editing articles that resonate with diverse audiences.

Love What You Read? Stay Updated!

Join our community for insights, tips, and more.