How to Upload Files to a Shared Google Drive Folder
A shared Google Drive folder gives a team one place to store, access, and manage files together, without sending attachments back and forth.
But Google Drive doesn't log who uploaded what or when. Without a record, the only way to audit a shared folder is to open it and scroll.
In this guide, you will learn how to upload files to a shared Google Drive folder using 3 methods, along with guidance on when to use each one.
Table of Contents
Video Tutorial
Prerequisites
Before you start, make sure you have:
- A Google account
- Access to the shared Google Drive folder
- The Google Drive iOS or Android app, if you want to upload from your phone
- Permission to install Google Workspace add-ons
Finding the Shared Folder and Checking Upload Access
A shared Google Drive folder can appear in different places depending on how it was shared with you.
| Folder location | What it means |
|---|---|
| Shared with me | Someone shared the folder directly with your Google account. |
| Shared drives | The folder belongs to a team or organization. |
Open the shared folder before uploading. Then check whether you can see the + New button.
If you can see + New, you can upload files to that folder.
If you cannot see + New, you do not have upload access. Ask the folder owner or your organization admin to give you permission to upload files.
For more details about Shared Drives, see Google’s guide to Shared Drives and access levels in Shared Drives.
Uploading Files to a Shared Google Drive Folder on the Web
You can upload files to a shared Google Drive folder from any browser. Use this method when you are on a computer and want to upload one or more files quickly.
- Go to Google Drive and sign in.
- Open the shared folder.
- Click + New.
- Click File upload.
- Choose the file from your computer.
- Click Open.
Alternatively, drag files from your computer and drop them into the open shared folder. This is faster when you need to upload multiple files.
Result: Google Drive uploads the file to the shared folder. You can see the upload progress in the bottom-right corner. When the upload finishes, the file appears inside the folder.
To upload a full folder, click + New > Folder upload, select the folder from your computer, and click Upload. Google Drive keeps the same folder structure after uploading.
Tip: If the shared folder already has many files, open the correct subfolder before uploading. This keeps files easier to find later.
For more details, see Upload files & folders to Google Drive.
If you're on your phone instead of a computer, the mobile app gives you the same result in a few taps.
Uploading Files to a Shared Google Drive Folder on Mobile
You can upload files to a shared Google Drive folder directly from your phone. Use this method when the file is already on your device, such as a photo, video, PDF, or document.
- Open the Google Drive app.
- Open the shared folder.
- Tap the + button.
- Tap Upload.
- Choose the file from your phone.
- Wait for the upload to finish.
Result: The file appears in the selected shared folder after the upload completes.
Tip: If you are uploading a large video, keep the Google Drive app open until the upload finishes. A weak connection can pause or stop the upload.
For more details, see Upload files & folders to Google Drive.
The web and mobile methods work well when you only need to add files to the shared folder. They do not create a file list with names, links, sizes, and file types.
If your team needs to upload files and keep a clear tracking sheet, use Drive Explorer Pro.
Uploading and Tracking Shared Folder Files with Drive Explorer Pro
Drive Explorer Pro is a Google Sheets add-on that connects Google Sheets with Google Drive.
Use this method when uploaded files also need a record in Google Sheets. Drive Explorer Pro uploads files to the selected shared Google Drive folder and adds each file as a row in your sheet with the details you choose.
Why use Drive Explorer Pro
- Every file you upload gets logged in Google Sheets automatically
- You can include file names, links, sizes, types, and image previews in one sheet
- Settings save between sessions, so you don't need to reconfigure each time you upload
This is particularly useful for teams managing:
- Client files
- Product images
- Event photos
- Project reports
- Student submissions
- Team document logs
Install Drive Explorer Pro from the Google Workspace Marketplace:
Launching Drive Explorer Pro
Open the Google Sheet where you want to record the uploaded file details. If you do not have one yet, create a blank sheet first.
- In Google Sheets, go to Extensions > Drive Explorer Pro > Open Drive Explorer Pro.
The Drive Explorer Pro sidebar opens on the right side of the sheet.
Selecting the Shared Folder
Choose the shared Google Drive folder where the uploaded files should be stored.
- In the Drive Explorer Pro sidebar, find the Default Google Drive Folder section.
- Click Change.
- Select the shared Google Drive folder.
- Confirm the folder selection.
Drive Explorer Pro uploads files to the folder selected under Default Google Drive Folder.
Selecting the File Details to Track
Choose which file details Drive Explorer Pro should add to Google Sheets after upload.
- Click the List Files tab.
- Under Start listing file from, choose where the file details should appear.
| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
| Current Cell | Adds file details starting from the selected cell. |
| Append Below Existing Data | Adds new rows below the existing sheet data. |
For a shared folder upload log, choose Append Below Existing Data. This keeps each new upload batch below the previous rows.
- Under Select File Attributes to list, choose the file details you want to record.
| Attribute | What it logs |
|---|---|
| File Name Linked to URL | A clickable file name that opens the file in Google Drive. |
| File URL | A standard Google Drive file link. |
| Direct Download Link | A link that downloads the file directly. |
| File Size (MB) | The file size in megabytes. |
| Mime Type | The file format, such as PDF, image, or video. |
| File ID | The unique Google Drive file ID. |
| Image Preview | A thumbnail preview for image files. |
For most shared folder upload logs, select:
- File Name Linked to URL
- File URL
- File Size (MB)
Select Direct Download Link if people need download links. Select Image Preview only when you are uploading images.
- Click Save Selected Settings as Default.
Setting File Access Before Uploading
Set file access before uploading so the links added to Google Sheets work for the right people.
- Go to the Settings tab in the Drive Explorer Pro sidebar.
- Under File Access Settings, choose the access level you need.
| File Access Setting | When to use it |
|---|---|
| Only me (private) | Use when the uploaded files should stay private. |
| My organization | Use when only people in your organization should open the files. |
| Anyone with the link | Use when people outside your organization need to open the files. |
For an internal shared folder, My organization is usually the best choice.
Choose Anyone with the link only when the files are safe to share outside your organization.
- Click Save Selected Settings as Default.
Important: Sharing the Google Sheet does not automatically share the uploaded files. People may see the file links in the sheet but still get a Request access page when they open them. Set the correct File Access Settings before uploading so the links work for the right people.
Uploading Files and Logging Them in Google Sheets
After setting the folder, attributes, and access level, upload your files. Drive Explorer Pro handles the upload and the logging in one step.
- Click the Upload Files tab in the sidebar.
- Drag and drop your files into the upload area, or click the upload box to choose files from your computer.
- Click Upload files to Drive and list in Sheets.
- Keep Google Sheets open until the upload finishes.
Drive Explorer Pro uploads the files to the selected shared folder and adds each file as a new row in Google Sheets.
The sheet columns match the attributes you selected, such as file name, file URL, file size, MIME type, direct download link, or image preview.
Tip: Do not close Google Sheets while the upload is running. Closing the tab can stop the upload and leave the file list incomplete.
If recipients need to download the files directly instead of opening a preview, see how to create a direct download link in Google Drive to understand how download links work before adding them to your sheet.
Sharing the Uploaded Files or File List
After uploading, decide whether recipients need one file link or the full file log.
For one file, share the Google Drive link. For multiple files, share the Google Sheet created with Drive Explorer Pro so recipients can access file links and direct download links from one organized place. The steps below only share the Google Sheets file.
- Open the Google Sheet with the file list.
- Click Share.
- Under General access, choose the access level you need.
- Set the permission to Viewer if people only need to view the list.
- Click Copy link.
- Click Done.
Note: A Google Sheet link and a Google Drive file link have separate access settings. Make sure people have permission to open both the sheet and the uploaded files.
For more details, see Share files from Google Drive.
Choosing the Right Upload Method
The method you choose depends on where you are uploading from and whether your team needs a record of what was uploaded.
| Method | Use it when | Main benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Google Drive web app | You are on a computer and need to upload files or folders quickly. | No add-on needed, works in any browser. |
| Google Drive mobile app | The file is already on your phone, such as a photo, video, or document. | Upload directly from your device without switching to a computer. |
| Drive Explorer Pro | You need to upload files and keep a structured record in Google Sheets. | Uploads files and logs names, links, sizes, types, and previews automatically. |
If you only need to upload files to your own Google Drive and share a link, see how to upload files to Google Drive and share a link.
Conclusion
Use the Google Drive web app when you are uploading files or folders from a computer. Use the Google Drive mobile app when the file is already on your phone.
Use Drive Explorer Pro when the upload also needs a file record in Google Sheets. It uploads files to the selected shared folder and logs each file with details such as name, link, size, type, direct download link, or image preview.
Before sharing the folder, file links, or Google Sheet, check the access settings. The Google Sheet and the uploaded Drive files have separate permissions, so both must be shared with the right people.