> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.thedrive.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Google Drive Import

> Import and export files between Google Drive and The Drive AI

## Overview

The Drive AI connects with Google Drive so you can import files from Google Drive into your workspace and export files back. This is a manual import/export—files are copied on demand, not automatically synced.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/thedriveai/7p_tCtj9qAPOIRij/images/google-drive.jpg?fit=max&auto=format&n=7p_tCtj9qAPOIRij&q=85&s=b466f55ae4159e44f77737858bd0e460" alt="Google Drive Import" width="1920" height="1080" data-path="images/google-drive.jpg" />
</Frame>

## Why Import from Google Drive?

When you import files from Google Drive to The Drive AI, you unlock:

* **AI-powered organization** for your existing files
* **Natural language search** across all your documents
* **Chat Mode** to ask questions about your files
* **Agent Mode** to perform bulk operations
* **Unified workspace** for all your files

## How to Import from Google Drive

<Steps>
  <Step title="Connect Your Google Account">
    In The Drive AI, navigate to **Settings** > **Integrations** > **Google Drive**.

    Click **Connect Google Drive** and authorize The Drive AI to access your files.

    <Note>
      The Drive AI uses secure OAuth authentication. Your Google password is never shared with us.
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Browse Your Drive">
    Once connected, you'll see your Google Drive folders and files in the import interface.

    Navigate to the files or folders you want to import.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Files to Import">
    Select individual files or entire folders to import.

    * **Single files**: Click to select
    * **Multiple files**: Hold `Command` (Mac) or `Ctrl` (Windows) and click
    * **Entire folders**: Select the folder to import all contents
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Import Location">
    Select where in your The Drive AI workspace you want the files to go.

    You can:

    * Import to the root of your workspace (auto-organization will sort them)
    * Import to a specific existing folder
    * Create a new folder for the imported files
  </Step>

  <Step title="Import">
    Click **Import** to begin the transfer.

    Files are copied to The Drive AI—your original Google Drive files remain untouched.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Exporting Files to Google Drive

You can also send files from your Drive AI workspace back to Google Drive:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select Files">
    Select the files or folders you want to export from your workspace.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Export">
    Right-click and select **Export to Cloud**, or use the export option from the file actions menu.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Destination">
    Select the Google Drive folder where you want the files to go.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Export">
    Click **Export** to copy the files to your Google Drive.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## How Import/Export Works

<Info>
  Google Drive integration is **manual import/export**, not live sync. Files are copied when you trigger the action. Changes made in one location are not automatically reflected in the other.
</Info>

| Behavior           | Details                                                  |
| ------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Import**         | Copies files from Google Drive to your workspace         |
| **Export**         | Copies files from your workspace to Google Drive         |
| **Live sync**      | Not available — import and export are triggered manually |
| **Original files** | Remain untouched in the source location                  |

### Auto-Organization on Import

When importing to your workspace root, you can enable auto-organization:

* **Enabled**: Files are automatically sorted into logical folders after import
* **Disabled**: Files are placed exactly where you specify

## Supported File Types

All Google Drive file types supported by The Drive AI can be imported:

| Google Drive Format | The Drive AI Support        |
| ------------------- | --------------------------- |
| Google Docs         | Converted to DOCX           |
| Google Sheets       | Converted to XLSX           |
| Google Slides       | Converted to PPTX           |
| PDF files           | Imported as-is              |
| Images              | Imported as-is (Premium)    |
| Other files         | Imported in original format |

<Note>
  Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides are converted to Microsoft Office formats during import to ensure full compatibility.
</Note>

## Managing Your Google Drive Connection

### Viewing Connection Status

Go to **Settings** > **Integrations** to see your connected Google account and connection status.

### Disconnecting Google Drive

To disconnect:

1. Go to **Settings** > **Integrations** > **Google Drive**
2. Click **Disconnect**
3. Confirm the disconnection

<Warning>
  Disconnecting does not delete files already imported to The Drive AI. It only removes the ability to import new files.
</Warning>

### Reconnecting

If you need to reconnect or connect a different Google account:

1. Disconnect the current account (if connected)
2. Click **Connect Google Drive**
3. Sign in with the desired Google account

## Tips for Importing

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Start with Key Folders" icon="folder">
    Don't try to import everything at once. Start with your most important folders and let The Drive AI organize them.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Use Auto-Organization" icon="wand-magic-sparkles">
    Import files to your workspace root with auto-organization enabled. The AI will create a logical structure automatically.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Check Storage" icon="hard-drive">
    Before large imports, check your storage limits:

    * Free plan: 5 GB
    * Premium plan: 100 GB
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Import in Batches" icon="layer-group">
    For large Google Drives, import in batches to monitor progress and ensure successful transfers.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Connection Failed" icon="plug-circle-xmark">
    * Ensure you're signed into the correct Google account
    * Check that you've granted the necessary permissions
    * Try disconnecting and reconnecting
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Files Not Appearing" icon="file-circle-question">
    * Refresh the import interface
    * Check if the files are in a shared drive (may have different permissions)
    * Ensure the file types are supported
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Import Taking Too Long" icon="clock">
    * Large files take longer to transfer
    * Slow internet connections affect import speed
    * Try importing smaller batches
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## What's Next?

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Email Integration" icon="envelope" href="/integrations/email-integration">
    Auto-import attachments from Gmail and Outlook.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Auto-Organization" icon="folder-tree" href="/features/auto-organization">
    Learn how imported files get organized.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>