---
title: "Using the Google Drive App"
slug: "using-the-google-drive-app"
updated: 2026-04-09T05:25:27Z
published: 2026-04-09T05:25:27Z
canonical: "docs.rocket.chat/using-the-google-drive-app"
---

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

# Using the Google Drive App

Once your workspace administrator has [installed and configured](/v1/docs/google-drive) the Google Drive app, users can connect their accounts and start creating, viewing, and sharing files directly in Rocket.Chat.

## Connect your Google account

To begin using the app, you must link your Google account.

1. In any room, enter the slash command `/google-drive connect`.
2. The `google-drive.bot` will send you a message. Click the **Authorize** button.
3. A new browser window will open. Select the Google account you wish to authorize and click **Allow** to grant the app the required permissions.
4. After a successful connection, you will receive a confirmation message from the `google-drive.bot`.

> [!NOTE]
> You may be required to re-authenticate periodically when your authentication token expires.

## Manage your Google Drive files

Once connected, users can access the Google Drive app using the slash command or click the **kebab menu** in the room header and select **Google Drive**.

### Create a new file

To create a new file in Google Drive,

1. Open the app from the room header kebab menu and click **+ New**, or use the slash command `/google-drive new`.
2. Enter the **file name** and select the **file type** from the options (Docs, Sheets, Slides, or Forms).
3. Click **Create**.

The `google-drive.bot` will send you a message with a link to your new file.

### List and view your files

To **view all the files** in your connected Google Drive account,

1. Open the app from the room header kebab menu or use the slash command `/google-drive` files.
2. Files are listed with details including their name, type, owner, and last modified date.
3. Use the search bar to find a specific file.
4. Filter the list by file type and sort in ascending or descending order.

To **open and view a file in your browser**,

1. From the list of files, click the kebab menu next to its name
2. Select **Open in browser**.

To **see detailed information about a file**,

1. From the list of files, click the kebab menu next to the file you want to view.
2. Select **File Information**. It displays the following details of the file:
  - **File name:** The name of the file.
  - **Type:** The file type.
  - **Extension:** The file extension.
  - **Size:** The size of the file on Google Drive.
  - **Storage used:** The amount of storage the file occupies.
  - **Location:** The location of the file within Google Drive.
  - **Owner(s):** A list of the file's owners.
  - **Modified:** The last modified date.
  - **Created:** The creation date of the file.

### Delete a file

To delete a file,

1. From the [list of files](/v1/docs/using-the-google-drive-app#list-and-view-your-files), click the kebab menu next to the file you want to delete.
2. Select **Delete file**.
3. Confirm by clicking **Delete forever**.

You can only delete files you created.

### Share a file

You can share files in your Google Drive within any [room](/v1/docs/rooms#types-of-rooms-in-rocketchat) in your workspace.

1. From the [list of files](/v1/docs/using-the-google-drive-app#list-and-view-your-files), click the kebab menu next to the file you want to share.
2. Select **Share in room**. A link to the file is posted in the current room.

### File permissions

Managing file permissions allows you to restrict the action anyone can perform on a file. A file's permission can be set when [sharing the file](/v1/docs/using-the-google-drive-app#share-a-file) or viewing the [file information](/v1/docs/using-the-google-drive-app#list-and-view-your-files).

- The various permissions you can set to a file include the following:
  - **Share to room members and allow them to view**: Restricts viewing of the file only by the member(s) of the room.
  - **Share to room members and allow them to comment**: All room members can view and comment on the file.
  - **Share to room members and allow them to edit**: Gives edit access to the member(s) of the room.
  - **Share to anyone at Organization and allow them to view**: Allows anyone in your organization to view the file.
  - **Share to anyone at Organization and allow them to comment**: Allows anyone in your organization to view and comment on the file.
  - **Share to anyone at Organization and allow them to edit**: Allows anyone in the organization to edit the file.
  - **Share to anyone with the link and allow them to view**: Allows anyone having the link to view the file.
  - **Share to anyone with the link and allow them to comment**: Allows anyone having the link to comment on the file.
  - **Share to anyone with the link and allow them to edit**: Allows anyone having the link to edit the file.

## Google Drive app slash commands

With your account linked, you can use the following commands:

- **/google-drive help:** shows the help list.
- **/google-drive connect:** starts the process to link your Google Account.
- **/google-drive disconnect:** remove your linked Google Account.
- **/google-drive create:** creates a new Google File and saves it on your Google Drive.
- **/google-drive files:** opens the contextual bar with your Google Drive files list.

With Google Drive integrated into Rocket.Chat, your workspace becomes a single hub for messaging, meetings, and document collaboration.