To organize files and folders found in the "Shared with me" section of Google Drive, you can effectively manage them by adding them to your own "My Drive". This allows you to place them within folders that you create and control, without affecting the original shared item for others.
Key Method: Add to My Drive
The primary way to organize items shared with you is to add them to your "My Drive". This action creates a link to the shared item within your personal Drive structure, allowing you to file it wherever you like. The original item stays in its shared location and remains accessible to everyone it was shared with.
Based on the provided reference, here is the straightforward process:
- Click the "Shared with me" option in the left menu of Google Drive. This section displays all the files and folders that have been shared with your account.
- Click the shared files or folders you want to organize into Google Drive, and then drag them into My Drive or a My Drive subfolder in the left sidebar.
Dragging the item from the "Shared with me" list directly into a folder within your "My Drive" (visible in the left navigation pane) effectively places a shortcut or link to that shared item in your chosen location. The reference explicitly states: "Drag Shared Files or Folders to My Drive."
Why Add to My Drive?
Adding shared items to "My Drive" doesn't change who they are shared with, but it gives you a powerful way to structure and find them alongside your own documents.
- Personal Filing System: You can file shared documents within your existing project folders, client folders, or any organizational system you prefer.
- Easy Access: Quickly locate important shared files without sifting through the potentially long "Shared with me" list.
- Improved Navigation: Use the familiar folder hierarchy of "My Drive" to browse shared content.
Steps to Organize Shared Items
Here's a breakdown of the process using the drag-and-drop method:
- Navigate to "Shared with me": In your Google Drive interface (drive.google.com), locate and click "Shared with me" in the left navigation panel.
- Select Items: Browse the list of shared files and folders. Select the ones you wish to organize. You can select multiple items by holding down the
Ctrl(Windows/Linux) orCmd(macOS) key while clicking, or by clicking and dragging a selection box. - Drag to My Drive/Folder:
- Keep the selected items clicked and held.
- Drag your cursor over to the left navigation panel.
- Hover over "My Drive" to expand its folder structure, or hover directly over the specific folder within "My Drive" where you want to place the item.
- Release the click to drop the selected item(s) into the target location.
Alternatively, you can often right-click a shared item and look for an option like "Add to My Drive" or "Organize". While not mentioned in the provided reference, dragging is a direct and supported method.
Understanding Shared Items vs. Owned Items
It's important to remember that adding a shared item to your "My Drive" does not change its ownership. The original owner retains control, and their actions (like deleting the file or removing your access) will affect your access from "My Drive" as well.
Here’s a simple comparison:
| Feature | "Shared with me" View | Item Added to "My Drive" |
|---|---|---|
| Location | A dynamic list of items shared with you | Within your personal folder structure |
| Ownership | Belongs to someone else | Belongs to someone else |
| Access | Depends on owner's sharing settings | Depends on owner's sharing settings, but linked from your Drive |
| Organization | Chronological/Sorted by name typically | Organized by your chosen folders |
| Deletion | Removing yourself removes it from this list | Removing from your folder structure only removes the link, not the original shared file |
By using the drag-and-drop method to add shared files and folders to "My Drive", you gain control over how they are organized for you, making your Google Drive a more efficient workspace.
