Directions - Google Drive - Folder Shortcuts

You can create a folder shortcut for any Google Drive folder you can access. The shortcut can be moved anywhere in your drive, renamed, and colored without changing the appearance of the original folder. The shortcut gives the same access to files within the original folder so if you add, delete, or edit files through the original folder or the shortcut, it will be changed for the other.

Step 1

Create the shortcut

A. Select the three dot menu associated with the folder for which you would like a Shortcut created.

B. Slide down to open the 'Organize' menu.

C. Slide over to select 'Add Shortcut'.

Step 2

Select a Location

A. The window that opens shows a list of selected folder locations where you may want to save your Shortcut.

B. If the location you want is not shown you can select the 'All locations' tab to see a list of your Google Drive files.

C. Double click a folder icon to view the folders within it. When you find the correct folder select it and select the 'Add' button.

When you go to the location in your Google Drive where you left the Shortcut it will function like a regular folder.

Step 3

Working With Your Shortcut (optional)

A. Open the location where you saved your shortcut.

B. Select the three dots menu and slide down to select from the options below:

C. 'Folder information' will show options of locating the original folder that created this Shortcut

D. 'Make available offline' will allow the shortcut to be available in your G: Drive on your laptop without having to go through your online Google Drive or even be connected to the internet. (However the changes you make will not be reflected in the online documents until you do connect to the internet so the files can update in the background)

E. 'Rename' allows you to change the name of the folder. Doing so only changes the name of the Shortcut and will not change the name of the folder that made the Shortcut.

F. 'Make a Copy' will produce a copy of the Shortcut so you can locate it in multiple areas.

G. 'Organize' will bring up another menu. slide over to it to select the following options.

H. 'Add to starred' allows you quick access using the 'Starred' list of folders in your Drive menu to the left.

I. 'Folder Color' allows you to change the color of the Shortcut so it is easier to find or color coded into a category.

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