Google Docs

How to Create a Folder in Google Docs

August 25, 2020

File management is a common problem in the modern world. It’s easy to allow files to pile up, and for productivity to suffer. If you work with Google documents and are having trouble navigating them, you’re probably wondering what you can do to end the struggle.

You’re not the only one. There are countless people who struggle with Google Doc organization.

Luckily, there is a way to organize your Google Drive files and documents that will help you properly store things.

In this article, we’ll show you how to organize your Google documents.  Follow our step-by-step guide, and you’ll have a much easier time navigating around Google Docs.

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What are Google Docs Folders?

Before we get into things, there is a small disclaimer: You can’t create a folder in Google Docs.

Yes, you read that right. The Google Docs home screen isn’t made for file organization, even though it allows you to access your Google Docs. So, as such, Google Docs doesn’t allow you to create folders at all.

However, Google Docs is a feature that operates under the Google Drive umbrella; it’s part of an ecosystem, so to speak. Think of Google Drive as a cloud-based File Explorer – it operates in a very similar manner.

In other words, you can create a Google Drive folder and store Google Doc documents inside it.

This is important, seeing as how organization is key on your computer, or in the cloud.

Why Use Folders with Google Docs?

The answer to this question is simple: The logic is the same as storing MS Word documents in folders.

If you have a large number of documents, going through the list of them all on Google Docs home page can turn into quite a struggle. Wouldn’t it be better to go to a Google Drive folder, open it just as you would in the File Explorer, and run the document that you need?

Yes, having multiple folders on your Google Drive is incredibly useful. And yes, creating, accessing, and using these folders is very straightforward.

How to Use Folders with Google Docs: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough

Having all your Google Doc files in a single spot (Google Docs home page) is definitely not a preferable way to go about things.

You need to use multiple folders if you want to have things organized properly. Fortunately, a Google Drive folder works pretty much in the same way as a folder on Windows.

In this section, you’ll learn how to create Google Drive folders and how to store Google Doc documents inside them.

Step 1: Choose the Environment

To get started, the first thing that you’ll need is the actual Google Drive folder to store your Google documents in. Then, navigate to your Google Drive. On the homepage, choose the environment where you want to create a folder. Let’s say that you want to place your folder in My Drive. Select it from the left-hand list.

You need to choose where you want to create your document before you add a new folder.

Step 2: Create a Folder

Once in the My Drive (or any other shared environment), you’ll see a list of stored files and folders. Move your pointer to an empty space on it (for instance, to the left of the Last modified column). Right-click the empty space, and you’ll see a menu appear. Select New folder, found at the top of the menu. Now, name the folder according to your preference and hit CREATE. This will make a folder on your list of Google Drive items.

The New Folder option appears when you click on the plus (+) sign.

Step 3: Adding a Google Docs File

Now, you’ll want to add a Google Docs file to the folder. If you want to create a new file, enter the folder by double-clicking it, right-click the empty space within it, and select the Google Docs option in the list. This will create a new Google Docs document within said folder. If you want to add a document from your Google Drive list to the new folder, left-click it and drag it to the folder in question, just like in Windows.

Google Docs is one of the options listed when you click on the New button.

Alternatively, to move a Google Docs file to the folder in question from the Google Docs file itself, navigate to the top of the page, click the Move feature, and select your desired folder from the menu that appears.

The folder icon at the top allows you to move your document to your preferred location.

Using Folders with Google Docs – FAQ

Can you organize Google Docs into folders?

Yes, you can, and it’s all fairly straightforward. It’s as simple as thinking of the Google Drive environment like your computer’s File Explorer feature. However, creating folders directly on the Google Docs home screen is impossible. Treat this folder like any folder found on Windows. It can do it all. And more.

How do I create a shared folder in Google Docs?

Normally, on Windows, you’d have to perform somewhat advanced functions in order to turn a folder into a shared one. The Google Drive environment, however, was created with sharing in mind. To create a shared Google Drive folder, right-click the folder and select the Share option from the drop-down menu. Then, add a person’s Gmail address, choose whether you want to allow them to be an Editor and have edit access or just a Viewer, and select Send.

How do you name a folder?

Simply navigate to the folder in question and right-click it. Then, select Rename from the list and enter the name that you want to use. Finally, select OK to finish.

Rename is one of the options listed when you right-click on a folder.

How do you organize files and folders?

Well, according to your own preference. There are organizational strategies that we can’t get into here, but as soon as you’ve picked up on the basics of creating folders on Google Drive, you’ll be able to organize folders and files on your own.

Can I create subfolders in Google Drive?

Yes, you can. Go to a Google Drive folder and create a new folder using the same principle as before.

Conclusion

Hopefully, you now possess the knowledge to better organize your documents on Google Drive. Although the subject of this walkthrough was Google Docs-oriented, in truth, everything written here is applicable to any other file that can be found on Google Drive.

Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be organizing stuff and navigating Google Drive like a true pro.

Kevin Kessler
Kevin J. Kessler is a published author of five fantasy novels, a professional wrestler, and a puppeteer (not all at the same time). Kevin is a content writer at Codeless.
Kevin Kessler
Kevin J. Kessler is a published author of five fantasy novels, a professional wrestler, and a puppeteer (not all at the same time). Kevin is a content writer at Codeless.