How to Add Descriptions to Files and Folders in Google Drive
If you are an avid Google Drive user, you probably have a lot of stored files and folders. You may have many files with similar names and perform advanced searches for what you need. This is when adding descriptions can help.
In this section:
Why You Should Use Descriptions in Google Drive
You can add descriptions to files and folders in Google Drive. Use them to describe an image, the contents of a folder, what a video shows, etc.
Depending on how you name your files before saving or uploading them, you may have many items like images or screenshots with comparable names. It is therefore difficult to determine which one you need at this time.
In addition to getting details about a file or folder before you open it, you can take advantage of descriptions when searching Google Drive. You can search for a word or phrase in the description, and you'll see that item appear in your search results.
Add a description in Google Drive
The description field for an item in Google Drive is a little out of the way; you have to know where to look. Select an item in Google Drive on the web to add its description. Next, click the Show Details icon (small letter "i") in the top right or right-click the item and select "Show Details".
This opens a sidebar on the right side. Make sure the Details tab is selected at the top. Scroll down your item details until you see the Add Description field.
Click the pencil icon to the right of the field. When the text box opens, enter your item description.
You can press Enter or Return or just click outside the text box. You will see your description saved automatically.
You can close the sidebar using the X in the top right.
Then simply reopen the sidebar with Show details to see an item's description or edit it.
Search with description
Once you add a description to an item, it makes that item more searchable. When using the "Search in Drive" box at the top, enter a word or phrase from your description to find that item more easily or at least narrow the results further.
Along with a more useful way to see what a file or folder is in Google Drive, you have another way to find the items you need. Will you be adding descriptions to some of your Google Drive items?
To learn more, find out how to add Google Drive to File Explorer in Windows or how to set it up and use it on your Mac.
