Be it storing a Doc, Sheet, Files, or PPT; Google Drive is an essential part of the daily routine of Gmail and Google App Suite users. With 15 GB of storage, Google Drive is an excellent cloud storage solution where you can almost do anything that you used to do with MS office. Being productive is much more comfortable and convenient when you know all about Google Drive shortcuts.

The multiple Google Drive shortcuts assist us and help us boost productivity in the office as well as any work environment. Also, if you happen to be one who always likes to work faster, do explore the other Google Drive tips meant to improve the overall work efficiency of the power users of Google Drive.

Use Google Drive Shortcuts To Become More Efficient and Systematic

Taking shortcuts in life is considered a passe but knowing Google Drive shortcuts is definitely an advantage for power users. In order to take full advantage of the system, it’s essential to know your way around Google Drive and know the essential shortcuts that can work wonders.

Google Drive Shortcuts for Navigation and Views

  • Go to navigation panel (folders list): g then n, g then f
  • Go to items view: g then l
  • Switch between grid and list in items view: v
  • Go to details pane: g then d
  • Go to top of application (Google bar): g then t
  • Go to download status: g then a
  • Go to upload status: g then u
  • Show or hide details pane: d
  • Show or hide activity pane: i

Google Drive Shortcuts to Select items

  • Select or deselect item: x
  • Select next item down: j, Down arrow
  • Select next item up: k, Up arrow
  • Select next item to the left: h, Left arrow
  • Select next item to the right: l, Right arrow
  • Extend selection down: Shift + Down arrow
  • Extend selection up: Shift + Up arrow
  • Extend selection left: Shift + Left arrow
  • Extend selection right: Shift + Right arrow
  • Select all visible items: Shift + a
  • Clear all selections: Shift + n

Useful Google Drive Shortcuts to Move between Items for Windows

  • Move down without changing selection: Ctrl + Down arrow
  • Move up without changing selection: Ctrl + Up arrow
  • Move left without changing selection: Ctrl + Left arrow
  • Move right without changing selection: Ctrl + Right arrow

Useful Google Drive Shortcuts to Move between Items for Mac

  • Move down without changing selection: ⌘ + Down arrow
  • Move up without changing selection: ⌘ + Up arrow
  • Move left without changing selection: ⌘ + Left arrow
  • Move right without changing selection: ⌘ + Right arrow

Google Drive Shortcuts to Take Action on Selected Items

  • Open selected item: Enter, o
  • Rename selected item: n
  • Share selected items: . (dot)
  • Move selected items to a new folder: z
  • Star or unstar selected items: s
  • Add selected items to an additional folder: Shift + z
  • Remove selected items:
  • # or Alt + Backspace (Chrome OS)
  • # or Delete (Windows)
  • # or Fn + Delete (Mac)
  • Undo the last action:
  • Ctrl + z (Chrome OS, Windows)
  • ⌘ + z (Mac)
  • Redo last undone action:
  • Ctrl + Shift + z (Chrome OS, Windows)
  • ⌘ + Shift + z (Mac)

Google Drive Shortcuts to Create new items

  • Document: Shift + t
  • Presentation: Shift + p
  • Spreadsheet: Shift + s
  • Drawing: Shift + d
  • Folder: Shift + f
  • Form: Shift + o

Shortcuts to Open menus

  • Create menu: c
  • More actions menu: a
  • Current folder actions menu: f
  • Sort menu: r
  • Settings menu: t

Shortcuts for Applications Actions

  • Display keyboard shortcuts list:
  • Shift + /
  • Ctrl + / (Chrome OS, Windows)
  • ⌘ + / (Mac)
  • Choose next visual density (row height and element spacing for list view): q then q
  • Find/find next
  • Ctrl + f (Chrome OS, Windows)
  • ⌘ + f (Mac)
  • Print
  • Ctrl + p (Chrome OS, Windows)
  • ⌘ + p (Mac)
  • Show last message: m
  • Search your Drive: /

Shortcuts for Preview mode actions

Close: Esc

Play/pause : Space

Zoom in: + or =

Zoom out:

7 Google Drive Tips to Boost Productivity Besides Using Shortcuts

Using the Google Drive shortcuts is sure to boost your speed and productivity once you are familiar with the shortcuts, but here are some other tips to boost your productivity irrespective of whether you are using Google Drive on the web or not.

1. Work Offline in Google Drive

In today’s time, when the internet is available most of the time, working without it sounds impossible. But what if you are traveling or have no data connectivity? Working offline, thus, is a necessity and a perk that comes along with Google Drive.

Google Drive gives access to your files offline where you can make changes, and the changes will synchronize the moment it connects with the internet.

To enable offline mode, sign in to Google Drive using your Google account. Now click on the Settings icon.

From there, check in the box that says:

Sync Google Docs, Sheets, Slides & Drawings files to this computer so that you can edit offline.

work offline to increase productivity
Check-in the box that says Sync Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, & Drawings files to this computer so that you can edit offline

Syncing files to the computer for offline usage is the best way to avoid interruption while working on a crucial doc or file.

2. Use Android and iOS Apps to Use Google Drive Anytime

Mobile is the most convenient and accessible thing available today. How is it to work on Google Drive using your smartphone? You can view, edit, and create any file using the Google Drive app on your mobile.

The apps are available both for Android and iOS.

3. Save Images Directly to Google Drive Using an Extension

There is an extension that allows you to save any images or articles to Google Drive on the go. If images are something that you often deal with, then this extension is a lifesaver. After installing Save to Google Drive extension, you will be able to save any web content (image, article, link, etc.) quickly and directly to Google Drive.

save any web content to GDrive
The extension used to save images directly to Google Drive

This extension is very useful if you have to work with images on a daily basis and want them accessible on the go via Google Drive.

4. Send Large Files using Google Drive via Gmail

Do you know you can send large files via email? To send a large file, you will have to attach that file using the Google Drive icon in Gmail. To do the same, click on Compose to write a new email in Gmail. Now click on the Google Drive icon at the bottom-right, as shown in the image below. Browse to your file and attach it to the Gmail.

send large files in Gmail
In the New message window, click on Google Drive icon

Sending large files using Google Drive is an effective way, especially when there is your favorite vacation video-capture.

5. Use i sign to view recent activity on a file

You can also see the latest activity on your Google Drive. To do so, you need to sign in to your account. Now from the Drive itself, single-click on file for which you want to see the recent activity status.

Next, click on the ‘i’ icon.

click on i icon to see recent activity
Click on i symbol

You will be able to see the latest activities done on the google doc along with the previous drafts.

6. Create a Google Drive Desktop Shortcut

Creating a Google Drive desktop shortcut is simple. While in Google Chrome, sign in to Google Drive using Google account. Next, click on the three dots at the top right corner (of Chrome Browser).

Now, select More tools from various options.

create google drive shortcut
Click on More Tools option

Once you click on More tools, it will expand multiple options to choose from. Click on Create shortcut.

create google drive shortcut
Expanding More tools option and clicking on Create shortcut

Next, a box will appear, confirm it by clicking on Create. Google Drive desktop shortcut is created.

create google drive shortcut
Creating a shortcut for Google Drive

Now as you can see, your Google Drive shortcut is created and you can directly access it right from your desktop.

google drive sign on desktop
Google Drive Shortcut on Desktop

It’s a time-saving and easy way to get quick access to your Google Drive files.

7. Add Google Drive To Windows ‘Send To’ Menu

You can install the Google Drive app for Windows. Once you do that, head over to “Users > [yourusername] > AppData > Roaming > Microsoft > Windows > SendTo”. You may then drag Google Drive into the window from the left-hand sidebar.

Adding-Google-Drive-to-Windows-Send-To-Menu

From now on, whenever you want to move a file from your desktop directly to Google Drive, you can right-click on the file, select “Send To” then select “Google Drive”.

Adding-Google-Drive-to-Windows-Send-To-Menu

Conclusion

Now that you know the Google Drive shortcuts, becoming more productive is a matter of practice. It is necessary to use the shortcuts on a regular basis so that they become second nature and you use them naturally in your flow.

Along with the Google Drive tips mentioned above, using the right Google Drive extensions can also help your work become more systematic and structured. With a well-organized approach and tons of features, Google Drive is a preferred cloud storage and file sharing solution.

And though not everyone uses Google Drive, that is not a complete hindrance to coordinating your work with others as you can share Google Drive folders with non-Gmail users as well.