# Upload files & organise folders in Google Drive

> Upload files and whole folders to Google Drive, then create folders and move, star or colour them so your team can find things quickly.
>
> Source: https://docs.officeniaga.com/drive-upload-organise/

Upload files or whole folders from the **New** button or by dragging them in, then keep things tidy with folders, stars and colours.

## Upload files or a folder

Use a computer browser for this. Uploading a folder keeps its subfolders and files together.

1. Go to [drive.google.com](https://drive.google.com) and sign in with your work email.
2. Open the folder you want to upload into, or stay in **My Drive**.
3. Click **New** at the top left.
4. Choose **File upload** or **Folder upload**.

   *(Screenshot: New menu with File upload and Folder upload highlighted)*

5. Pick the file or folder on your computer. A progress box at the bottom right shows when the upload is done.

   *(Screenshot: Progress box at the bottom right showing 1 upload complete)*

You can also drag files or folders from your desktop straight into an open Drive window.

## Create a folder

Set up folders before you upload, for example one per client, project or department.

1. Click **New**, then **New folder**.
2. Type a name.
3. Click **Create**.

   *(Screenshot: New folder box with a sample folder name and the Create button)*

Folders can go inside folders. Short, clear names with a date or client name, such as "2026-09 Invoices", make searching easier later.

## Move, star or colour a file or folder

Right-click any file or folder in Drive to see these options under **Organize**.

*(Screenshot: Right-click menu with Organize open, showing Move, Add shortcut, Add to starred and Folder color)*

- **Move**: click **Organize** > **Move**, choose the folder, then click **Move**. You can also drag an item onto a folder.
- **Star**: click **Organize** > **Add to starred**. Starred items appear under **Starred** on the left.
- **Colour a folder**: click **Organize**, then pick a colour under **Folder color**. Only you see the colour.
- **Shortcut**: click **Organize** > **Add shortcut** to show the same file in a second folder without copying it.

If you do not have permission to move a file out of a shared folder, Drive adds a shortcut in the new place instead.

## On your phone

Uploads from the Google Drive app go to **My Drive** unless you choose a folder.

- **Android**: open the Google Drive app, tap the **+** button, then **Upload**, and choose the files.

   *(Screenshot: Create menu in the Google Drive app with Upload highlighted)*

- **iPhone**: open the Google Drive app, tap the **+** button, then **File upload**. Tap **Location** to pick a folder.

Ready to give colleagues access? See [share a Google Drive file or folder](/drive-share/).

## Still stuck

WhatsApp our support team at [+60 16-916 3324](https://wa.me/60169163324).

## Common issues

### I uploaded a file and it replaced the older one. Why?

If you upload a file with the same name into the same place, Drive saves it as a new version of the existing file. To keep both, click Keep both files when Drive asks.

### Can I convert Word or Excel files to Google Docs and Sheets when I upload?

Yes. In Drive, click the gear icon, then Settings, and tick Convert uploads to Google Docs editor format. This only changes future uploads and can only be set on a computer.

### Does uploading into a colleague's folder use my storage?

Yes. A file you upload counts towards your own storage, even in a folder someone else owns. If you are running low, see Google Workspace storage full (/workspace-storage-full/).