Quick Start Guide
Get started with Drive Browser in minutes - your first export walkthrough
Quick Start Guide
Get your first Drive Browser export done in under 2 minutes. This guide shows you the fastest way to turn your Google Drive files into a spreadsheet.
Opening Drive Browser
There are two ways to start:
Option 1: Sidebar Interface (Recommended)
- Open any Google Sheet
- Click Extensions → 🔂 Drive Browser → 🔂 Run Drive Browser
- The sidebar opens on the right side of your screen
Option 2: Quick Export Menu
- Open any Google Sheet
- Click Extensions → 🔂 Drive Browser → ⚡ Quick Export
- Export runs immediately (no sidebar needed)
Your First Export: Quick Export
The fastest way to see Drive Browser in action is the Quick Export feature. It automatically finds and exports your recently modified files.
Step-by-Step Walkthrough
Step 1: Start Quick Export
From the sidebar, click the ⚡ Quick Export card: ┌─────────────────────────────────┐ │ ⚡ │ │ Quick Export │ │ Export your recent files from │ │ the last 30 days │ └─────────────────────────────────┘
Or use the menu: Extensions → 🔂 Drive Browser → ⚡ Quick Export
Step 2: Search in Progress
Drive Browser searches for files you've modified in the last 30 days. You'll see: ⚡ Quick Export in Progress Searching for recent files... Files from the last 30 days
This usually takes 10-30 seconds depending on how many files you have.
Step 3: Trial Limit Check (If Applicable)
If you're on the free trial and have more than 100 recent files, you'll see this dialog: Found 247 files, but your Trial plan allows 100 files per export. Export first 100 files? [Yes] [No]
What this means:
- Trial users: 100 files max per export
- Pro users: Unlimited files (exports all found)
Click Yes to proceed with the first 100 files, or upgrade to export unlimited files.
Step 4: Export Complete!
Your files are now in a new sheet tab. You'll see: 🎉 Export Complete! Files exported: 100 Added to: Quick_Export_Jan_20 Completed in: 23s
Understanding Your Results
Drive Browser creates a new sheet with your exported files. Here's what you'll see:
Column Headers (Trial - 7 Fields)
| Column | Description | |--------|-------------| | File Name | The name of your file or folder | | File Size | Size in KB, MB, or GB | | File Type | Document, Spreadsheet, PDF, etc. | | Created Date | When the file was created | | Modified Date | Last modified date | | Owner | Who owns the file | | Drive Link | Clickable link to open in Drive |
Pro users get 30+ fields including permissions, sharing status, folder path, thumbnails, and more.
Working with Your Data
Once exported, you can:
- Sort any column (click column header → Data → Sort)
- Filter files (Data → Create a filter)
- Copy links to share with others
- Use formulas to analyze your Drive usage
Other Export Options
Besides Quick Export, you have two more options:
📂 Export a Folder
Perfect when you want everything in a specific folder:
- Click the 📂 Export a Folder card in sidebar
- Browse your Drive folders
- Select a folder
- Click Add Selected
- Click 🚀 Export
Tip: Turn on "Include subfolders" in settings to get nested folders too.
🔍 Custom Selection
For complete control over what to export:
- Click the 🔍 Custom Selection card in sidebar
- Use the file picker with 5 tabs:
- My Drive
- Shared Drives (Pro only)
- Shared with Me
- Recent
- Starred
- Check boxes to select specific files/folders
- Click Add Selected
- Customize settings if needed
- Click 🚀 Export
Customizing Your Export
Before clicking Export, you can customize settings:
Click "⚙ More options" to reveal:
✓ Include subfolders ☐ Calculate sizes (slower for large folders) ✓ Generate links
What these do:
- Include subfolders - Export all files inside nested folders
- Calculate sizes - Get accurate folder sizes (takes extra time)
- Generate links - Create clickable Drive links in your sheet
Trial vs Pro Comparison
Understanding the limits helps you decide when to upgrade:
| Feature | Trial (7 Days) | Pro Plan | |---------|----------------|----------| | Files per export | 100 | Unlimited | | Metadata fields | 7 basic | 30+ advanced | | Shared Drives | ❌ | ✓ | | Automation | ❌ | ✓ Daily/Hourly | | Support | Email (48hr) | Priority (24hr) |
Pro Tip: Use your trial to test Drive Browser with real data. If you regularly work with more than 100 files, Pro is worth it.
Common First-Time Questions
Q: Can I export the same files multiple times?
A: Yes! Each export creates a new sheet. Your Drive files are never modified.
Q: What if I have more than 100 files on trial?
A: You'll be asked which 100 to export. Upgrade to Pro for unlimited exports.
Q: Where does the data go?
A: A new sheet tab is created in your current spreadsheet.
Q: Can I schedule automatic exports?
A: Yes, but automation is a Pro feature. See Automation guide.
Q: Does this work in Google Drive too?
A: Yes! Right-click any file/folder in Drive → "Open with → Drive Browser" for CSV export.
What's Next?
Now that you've done your first export, explore these features:
- Automation - Schedule daily/hourly exports (Pro)
- Field Selection - Choose which metadata to export
- Troubleshooting - Fix common issues
Need Help?
Stuck on something? We're here to help:
- 📧 Email: [email protected]
- 📚 Help Center: https://appenso.com/help/drive-browser
- 🎥 Video Tutorial: https://appenso.com/videos/drive-browser-quick-start
Next: Learn how to set up Automation to keep your exports updated automatically (Pro feature).