Download a file

To download a file or folder using the new Google Drive, follow these steps:

  1. Click on the file you'd like to download. To select multiple files, hold down Shift or Ctrl(PC)/Command(Mac) while clicking on multiple files.
  2. Right click and choose Download. You can also click and select Download.
  3. Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides files will download as .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx files. All other file types will download in their native format.

To download a file or folder using the classic Google Drive, follow these steps:

  1. Click the checkbox(es) next to the item(s) that you'd like to download.
  2. Select More at the top of the page and choose Download...
  3. Select a file format for each item, such as Microsoft Word. If you select multiple items, they'll be compressed into a .zip file.
  4. Click Download.
If you’re viewing a Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides file, download the file by clicking on File and choosing Download as. Note that dragging a file from Google Drive to your desktop won’t save a copy of the file to your computer.

Download formats

You can download files in the following formats:

  • Documents: HTML, RTF, Word, Open Office, PDF, Text file.
  • Spreadsheets: CSV, HTML, ODS, PDF, XLS, TXT (only for a single sheet).
  • Presentations: PDF, PPTX, TXT.
  • Drawings: PNG, JPEG, SVG, PDF.