Google Drive is a great way to store your files, but it can be difficult to export them. Here are some tips to help you export your Google Drive files:
- Choose the right format. When exporting your Google Drive files, choose a format that will be easy to understand and use. For example, if you want toexport your Google Drive files in CSV, choose this format.
- Choose the right destination. Choose the correct destination for your exported Google Drive files. For example, if you want toexport your Google Drive files to a file on your computer, choose this option.
Visit Google Takeout’s website and sign in with your Google account to get started. By default, this tool exports your data from all of Google services. Click “Deselect All” to only extract an archive of your cloud drive.
Scroll down until you reach “Drive” and check the box next to it.
There are a few more options underneath it you may find handy. You can pick which folders to back up with the “All Drive data included” option.
The “Multiple Formats” button lets you choose in which format the files will be archived, and with “Advanced Settings,” you can ask Google to also include a bunch of additional information.
Once you’re done, click the “Next Step” button present at the bottom of the page.
On the following screen, Google allows you to customize the export. You have the option to specify whether you’d like Google to email you the archive or directly upload it to another cloud storage provider, configure automatic exports, and define the archive’s file type and size.
Hit “Create Export” to proceed to confirm the export.
Google will now begin backing up the folders you have selected. This can take hours or even days, depending on the data. If you change your mind or want to edit the export, you can cancel it with the “Cancel Export” option.
When this process is over, you should get an email titled “Your Google data is ready to download.” Inside that message, click the “Download Your Files” button. Sign in again with your Google credentials for authentication.
You’ll be redirected to the “Manage Your Exports” page where your archive will begin downloading. In case it doesn’t automatically, you can manually grab it with the “Download” button next to the Drive export entry in the list.
In the downloaded archive, “archive_browser.html” lets you browse the content from a custom web app, and from the “Drive” folder, you can view and open these files individually.
Other than Google Drive, you can also export data from other Google services like Gmail and Keep.
