How To Zip Files In Google Drive

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In today’s digital world, we often find ourselves dealing with a host of files – documents, photos, videos, and more. Managing these files can sometimes prove cumbersome, especially when we need to send over a bunch of them. This is where the concept of ‘zipping’ comes into play. But, have you ever wondered how to zip files in Google Drive? If that’s the case, you’re in the right place! This blog post will guide you through the process, step by step.

What Does ‘Zipping’ Mean?

Zipping, in the context of file management, refers to the process of compressing one or more files into a single .zip file. This not only makes multiple files easier to send but also saves storage space. Now, let’s see how we can perform this on Google Drive.

Step-by-step Guide to Zip Files in Google Drive

Step 1: Select the Files to be Zipped

First, log in to your Google Drive. Navigate to the location of the files you want to zip. You can select multiple files by holding down the Ctrl key (or Command on a Mac) and clicking on each file you want to include.

Step 2: Right-click on the Selected Files

Once all the files are selected, right-click on them. A menu will appear.

Step 3: Download the Files

In the menu that appears, you will see an option labeled “Download.” Click on this option. Google Drive will automatically compress and download these files as a single .zip file.

A Simple Script for Zipping Files in Google Drive

If you frequently need to zip files in Google Drive, you might find it useful to use a script for this purpose. This simple script uses Google Apps Script to create a zip file of a specific Google Drive folder and all its contents.

First, open Script.google.com. Then, in the blank script, copy and paste the following code:

        function createZip() {
            var folderName = 'Your Folder Name';   // Replace it with your folder name
            var folder = DriveApp.getFoldersByName(folderName).next();
            var blob = Utilities.zip(folder.getFiles(), folderName + '.zip');
            DriveApp.createFile(blob);
        }

Replace ‘Your Folder Name’ with the name of your folder. Click on the Save button and give your project a name. Now, you can run this script by clicking on the Run button. The .zip file will be created in the root directory of your Google Drive.

That’s it! You have now learned how to zip files in Google Drive, either manually or using a script. Happy zipping!