What is Google Drive?
Google Drive (formerly Google Documents) is a document storage solution. Additionally, it includes several cloud applications including Google Documents, Google Spreadsheets, and Google Presentations.
To get to it, log in to
Users currently using Google Documents will be given an opportunity to learn more about Google Drive and upgrade to it. Once they upgrade, the word "Drive" will replace "Documents" in their Google Apps for Education applications bar. Additionally, they will be given an opportunity to install Google Drive on their own computer. If they do this, a folder will be placed in their computer's documents for their Google Drive files. They may drag and drop files to or from their Google Drive using this folder. This installation can take place on multiple computers with the same account (for example, a laptop and a desktop) and the same files will appear in both.
If you are still seeing "Documents" in your Google Apps, log in, open a second browser tab, and then go to this page: http://drive.google.com for the option to upgrade.
Additionally, there are mobile apps for Google Drive so you may see the same files on your mobile device.
Overview of Google Drive:
- Online document creation (Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Presentations, pre-built templates, build your own templates)
- Document and/or Folder sharing (collaborate with other users)
- Document publishing (share with URL or by embed code)
- Online document storage (store your own already created documents or those created in Google Drive)
- Local document synching/storage (drag and drop files into a folder on your desktop)
- View documents on mobile devices with Google Drive mobile apps
Examples of documents created in Google Drive:
- Google Documents allows you to create, share, and edit documents online. You can even upload Microsoft Word, OpenOffice, RTF, HTML or plain text documents into Google Docs. Edit documents online simultaneously with anyone you choose, and invite others to view them. Keep track of who made changes to a document and when, and roll back to any version. Publish documents online to the world, as webpages or post documents to your blog. Email your documents out as attachments.
- Google Spreadsheets allows you to create, share, and edit spreadsheets online. Google Spreadsheets is also an essential part to Google Forms. Google Spreadsheets allows you to import and export these file types: .xls, .csv, .txt and .ods. You can also export data to a PDF or an HTML file. Format your cells and edit formulas so you can calculate results and make your data look the way you want it. Chat in real time with others who are editing your spreadsheet. Embed a spreadsheet, or a section of a spreadsheet, in your blog or website.
- Google Presentations allows you to create, share, and edit online presentations. Import presentations in .ppt and .pps file types and export your online ones. You can also insert images and videos, and format your slides as you want. Allow simultaneous real-time viewing of presentations, online, from remote locations. Publish and embed your presentations in a website for the world to view.
Is there a cost associated with Google Drive?
No. Google Drive is free as part of Google Apps for Education to faculty, staff and students.
Yes. Google Drive can be downloaded and installed on your local computer so your files will appear both online and on your local computer.
- Google Blog Introducing Google Drive
- Math Apps + Google Drive = Winning Combination
- Overview of Google Drive
Review the Google Drive System Requirements.