Google Drive is like a server or place where you can store all your files and data in it safely. You can store all your files such as videos, photos, Google Docs, PDFs and etc. It can be managed by either individual or joint venture, both parties can manage the files in a joint project.
Google Drive does offer a GUI lookup interface, power users often take advantage of search operators to save time. Google is now updating how some search operators work in Google Drive to make finding shared files easier.
These updates to our search operators will enable more specific searches to find files shared with you and by you, and will help you find those files more quickly using more memorable details about the file.
At a high-level, Google notes how “you’ll still be able to perform all the same searches, just the operators you’ll use for them may change.” This is meant to address how “finding files in Google Drive can be difficult because there are so many ways to remember a file.”
- “from:” will now return files shared with you by the specified email address. Previously, it would have returned files owned by that email address.
- “to:” will now return files that you have shared with the specified email address. Previously, it would have returned all files that the email address had permissions to view, comment, or edit.
- “sharedwith:” is a new search operator that will return files that the specified email address owns or has permission to view, comment or edit.
- “owner:” returns files owned by the specified email address. There is no change to this operator, but you can use it to return the results you would previously have used the “from:” operator for.
Who’s impacted?
End users, and developers
Why you’d use it
Finding files in Google Drive can be difficult because there are so many ways to remember a file: by its type, by its title, by who owns it, and more. Google have added a number of features to help finding files, including an intelligent search box for Google Drive on the web, mobile search improvements, file suggestions in Chrome, and much more.
In addition, Google knows how important it is to be able to easily find files shared with others while collaborating in Google Workspace. User research suggests that this is actually one of the most memorable aspects to use when finding a file. These updates to Google search operators will enable more specific searches to find files shared with you and by you and will help you find those files more quickly using more memorable details about the file.
Additional details
Searches for from: and to: will not return files that were shared prior to February 2021.
Vault admins have been notified separately about their changes.
Getting started
Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
End-users: The updates to search operator behavior will take place by default. Visit the Help Center to learn more about advanced search features in Google Drive.
Rollout pace
Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on March 22, 2021
Availability
Available to all Google Workspace customers, and G Suite Basic and Business customers.
