Make Google Drive work for you!

At HHS we are using Google Drive for two purposes, which can be hard to distinguish and lead to confusion.

Right-click on any doc
to locate in My Drive

First, we use it for its "original" purpose -- to store and access our Google Apps for Education tools (Docs, Sheets, etc.) online. All our Google documents are stored in "the cloud" and the best way to get to your Google documents is through a browser. BUT, we also use Google Drive as cloud storage for all our other kinds of files (Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, images, videos, etc.), the best ways to get to those is through the desktop app.  Here's how to decide which way to access and use your documents to make sure you are getting what you need how you need it.

Use a browser:

• When you want to open and/or use any Google file 
• When you want to share any kind of file, either by link or by person
• When you want to search for a file whose location you don't remember -- then use "Locate in My Drive" to find it
• When you need to find something that has been shared with you (before you move it to your Google Drive)

  

  Right-click on shared files
  to add to My Drive 

Use the desktop app:

• When you want to open and/or use any non-Google document
• When you are off-line

Some Google Drive tips no matter what you are using it for:

• When someone shares a file or folder with you, add it to your "My Drive" so that you can find it easily, and so you can access it through either a browser or the desktop app
• You can move shared folders around your own Drive but be careful not to move files or documents out of shared folders (or the other people won't be able to see them anymore)
• If you are using Google Classroom a lot, you may want to start converting your non-Google files to Google format to make student access easier
• Stick with using ONE BROWSER for your school Google account and nothing else (don't log in with multiple accounts) to minimize confusion

Here's a diagram of how the desktop app and the browser view communication: