Google Drive is finally making it easier to share, download, and delete multiple files at once

Filters and toolbars could help make the cloud storage platform bearable to use

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Googlehas announced several small but welcome changes to howfile managementworks inGoogle Drive.

Within the next few weeks, a new toolbar for multi-selecting files will make it clearer and easier to make bulk changes will start to appear in thecloud backupapplication, while new “search chips” will find files fast by filtering for criteria such as file type, when a document was last modified, and who documents have been shared with.

The news accompaniesseveral updatesto the tech giant’sonline collaborationecosystemGoogle Workspace, including a “Material Design” aesthetic refresh, several new “smart canvas” features, plus an overhaul of theword processorGoogle Docs.

Google Drive changes

All this talk of “smart chips” could be slightly confusing, honestly, so we’ll keep it simple. When the feature lands, you’ll be able to filter for specific document types, includingdocuments,spreadsheets,formsandphotos, directly from the “My Drive” overview using new dropdown menus.

The filter options also includePDFfiles, although, disappointingly, it doesn’t look like you’ll be able to filter for specific file types from the new part of the interface.

Google Drive is making it faster to share files with the people you talk to most>Google Drive vs OneDrive: Which is best?>We’ve also listed the best cloud storage solutions right now

The multi-select toolbar ought to be much easier to get your head around, plainly offering bulk actions for sharing, downloading, and deleting files as opposed to hiding them in a cumbersome right-click context menu.

These quality of life improvements, while welcome, aren’t earth-shattering by any means, and it’s a wonder that Google has waited until now to drag Drive, along with the rest of Google Workspace, into the current century.

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Luke Hughes holds the role of Staff Writer at TechRadar Pro, producing news, features and deals content across topics ranging from computing to cloud services, cybersecurity, data privacy and business software.

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