This guide shows you how to copy a folder to Google Drive, by making copies of the files to a new folder on the Google Drive site, or by copying the folder to the Backup and Sync application on your PC or Mac. You can also use a Google Sheets extension to create copies of folders that are already on your Google Drive account.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Copy Files to a New Folder
Step 1. Go to Google Drive using any browser
If you are already logged in to your Google account, the contents of your Google Drive will be uploaded directly.
If you are not logged in automatically, click ' Go to Google Drive ' and log into your Google account.
Step 2. Double-click the folder you want to copy to open it
Step 3. Select all documents
Scroll to the bottom of the folder contents and press Ctrl + A on Windows, or ⌘ Command + A on Mac. This will select all files in the folder.
Make sure you have selected only files and not folders. If you have selected any folders, you will need to deselect them
Step 4. Right-click on any of the selected files and choose Create a Copy
This will create a copy of each of the previously selected files. Each copy will be named "Copy of…" followed by the original file name.
On a Mac that has a trackpad or magic mouse, you can click on a folder with two fingers, or you can hold Control and click, rather than right-clicking
Step 5. Right-click on any of the selected files and choose Move to
This will bring up a drop-down menu.
Step 6. Browse for the location where you want to create a new folder
Click on
Step 7. Click the New Folder icon
It is a folder icon with a "+" superimposed on the lower right side of the drop-down menu.
Step 8. Enter the name of the new folder and click ✓
You can name the folder exactly like the original, or you can give it another name. Clicking the check mark will create the new folder with the name you entered.
Step 9. Click Move Here
This moves the selected files to the new folder you created. You now have a copy of a folder that contains the same files as the original.
Method 2 of 3: Using the "Backup and Sync" application
Step 1. Install Backup and Sync
If you haven't already, open this page and download the "Backup and Sync" application on your Windows or Mac computer:
-
Click
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- Click Download Backup & Sync;
- Click Download under the heading "Staff";
- Click Accept and download.
Step 2. Synchronize your Google Drive with your computer
In the "Backup and Sync" settings, make sure to sync everything between your Google Drive and your computer.
If this is the first time you sync your Google Drive with your computer, you will have to wait for the sync process to finish; this may take some time, depending on the size of the files in your Google Drive
Step 3. Open the Google Drive folder on your computer
On Windows, you should have a quick link to the Google Drive folder on your desktop, otherwise you can open Windows Explorer and select Google Drive from the "Quick Access" menu on the left. On Mac, open a new finder window and select Google Drive in the "Favorites" section on the left.
Step 4. Select the folder you want to make a copy of
Click on the folder you want to make a copy of, in your Google Drive folder.
Step 5. Copy the folder
On Windows, click on the "Home" tab at the top of the "Explorer" window and then click Copy. On Mac, click the menu Edit at the top of the screen and select Copy Folder "'. Alternatively, you can use the following shortcuts:
- On Windows: Ctrl + C;
- On Mac: ⌘ Command + C.
Step 6. Paste the folder
On Windows, go to the Home tab at the top of the "Explorer" window and click the button Paste. On Mac, click the menu Edit at the top of the screen and select "Paste Item". Alternatively, you can use the following shortcuts:
- On Windows: Ctrl + V;
- On Mac: ⌘ Command + V.
Step 7. Wait for Backup & Sync to sync the new folder
After creating the copied folder on your computer, "Backup & Sync" will detect the new folder and upload it to your Google Drive.
Method 3 of 3: Use a Google Sheets Extension
Step 1. Go to this page using any browser
Log into Google if you haven't already
Step 2. Click
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Step 3. Click on Add-ons
It can be found on the menu at the top of the page.
Step 4. Click Install Add-ons
Step 5. Type copy folder in the search bar and press Enter
Step 6. Click + Free next to the "Copy Folder" extension
It is the application with a dark blue background image and two light blue folders.
Step 7. Click Allow
This will install the extension on your "Google Sheets" document.
Step 8. Click Add-ons
It can be found on the menu at the top of the page.
Step 9. Select Copy folder
This will connect you to your Google Drive account.
Step 10. Click Select Folder
Step 11. Click Select a file
This is the option to click, even if you are selecting a folder.
Step 12. Select the folder you want to copy
Step 13. Click Copy
Once the folder is copied, it will appear in your Google spreadsheet.
You can add a prefix or suffix to the copied folder name to distinguish it from the original
Step 14. Go to your Google Drive
Go to Google Drive on a new browser tab and you will be able to find your newly copied folder there.
