@Google Experience Playground - SLATE - December 2019

Folder First - File Second

  • It has been my experience that if you create a folder first and then create the document inside of that folder, you are going to be better organized!
  • If you don't create the folder first, be sure when you are renaming the new doc/slide/sheet, that you utilize the ORGANIZE function right away to put it in the correct folder.
  • I always start from drive instead of the individual sites of the docs creation - then I have my organization structure at the ready.
  • Also, use sub-folders -- great for getting things organized!

Naming Convention

  • **Most important** Pick a naming convention and stay with it!
  • Utilize special characters in the beginning of your name to prioritize it to the top of your google drive
  • Use emoji in your file/folder names to give a visual cue (hint - don't put them at the beginning of the name - it seems to take forever for drive to load when emojis are first in the name
  • Think about a "color convention" as well -- what do the folder colors mean to you?

Priority/Workspaces

  • Only available in the enterprise/education version of google drive
  • Priority documents - uses machine learning to try to predict what files you will need next and making those available at the top of the page.
  • Workspaces - a fantastic way to organize docs that may be in different folders into a temporary workspace in drive

Starred

  • Starred folders/files are a great way to organize documents, but come up with a HARD LIMIT for yourself of how many things you are going to star...because if you star everything it is not going to help you at all!

Other Drive Tips

  • Purge frequently - get on a schedule to keep your drive tidy and purge those files/folders that are no longer needed.
  • Don't duplicate files to put in multiple folders -- ADD instead! Use SHIFT+Z on your keyboard and put ONE FILE in MULTIPLE PLACES.
  • Search for files in the omnibox as well as right in drive.
  • Speaking of search - use drive ADVANCED search - in the search bar, click the drop down arrow and then you can refine your search quickly!
  • Worried about that "Shared with Me" area - just don't sweat it - it is an aggregation of files - they are not YOUR files. If you start deleting, you might cause problems for others, so just don't worry about it.
  • Make keyboard shortcuts your friend -- here is a list of drive shortcuts to get "under your fingers".
  • Take a look at this official Google Support Article on Drive.