How to Save Shared Files on Google Drive (Easiest Way in 2024)
In this article, we will show you how to save shared files on Google Drive by adding a shortcut to your drive and by making a copy. Simply follow the steps below.
How to Save Shared Files on Google Drive By Adding a Shortcut
Follow the steps below to save shared files by adding a shortcut to your own Google Drive.
1. Access the Shared File
Open your email or Google Drive notifications where you received the link to the shared file. Click Open to open the file in the appropriate Google app (Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc.). For this example, we will try to save a shared Google Doc file.
2. Add the File to Your Drive
Look for the Add shortcut to Drive icon in the upper left side of the screen. This icon looks like a drive with a plus (+) sign. Click on the icon to add the file to the root (main) directory of your Google Drive.
3. Organize the File (optional)
Go to Google Drive by navigating to drive.google.com and locate the file you’ve just added. Click on the three vertical dots on the right side to open a drop-down menu. You can rename it, move it to a specific folder, or share it as needed.
How to Save Shared Files on Google Drive By Making a Copy
Follow the steps below to shave shared files on Google Drive if you only have view access or if you want your own version of the file.
1. Access the Shared File
Open your email or Google Drive notifications where you received the link to the shared file. Click Open to open the file in the appropriate Google app (Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc.). Again, we will try to save a shared Google Doc file for this example.
2. Make a Copy of the File
Go to the File menu in the upper left-hand corner and select Make a copy.
3. Customize and Organize the Copy
Rename the copy if necessary and choose where you want to save it in your Drive. Click Make a copy to finalize the changes.
We hope that you now have a better understanding of how to save shared files on Google Drive. If you enjoyed this article, you might also like our article on how to save emails to Google Drive and how to use the save to Google Drive extension.
