Dropbox allows a user to drop a file into a shared folder without having this user to be part of the shared folder. This feature is called file request.
Does Google Drive have a similar feature?
-
2Not natively but you can build a form to do that using Google script. labnol.org/internet/receive-files-in-google-drive/19697– Tom WoodwardApr 29, 2016 at 10:52
-
@TomWoodward I would add your comment as an answer, or addendum to Ruben's answer since it is exactly the type of script he is talking about.– Michelfrancis BustillosMay 18, 2016 at 12:29
-
@TomWoodward You should move your comment to it's own answer, since this is the best response.– TechRemarkerJan 19, 2019 at 15:37
Add a comment
|
3 Answers
Google Drive doesn't have a feature like "file request" of DropBox.
The closest built-in feature is to transferring the file ownership but this will not add the file to a folder.
By using Google Apps Script or Google Drive API you could achieve a similar behaviour. You can see an example of a script that would do that here.
-
4The likely reason Google Drive doesn't have a file request feature is because Dropbox patented it, see US20160308881– MarkNov 20, 2018 at 23:23
-
Except OneDrive for Business (SharePoint) has a very similar feature.– cjbarthApr 9, 2022 at 18:35
Users of Google Apps for Education that are able to create classes in Google Classroom could use an assignment as a "file request".
Google Classroom works together with Google Drive to manage files. On class creation, a Google Drive folder is created on behalf of the class owner and it's shared with the teacher assistants and with the students.
Teachers could create assignments then the students could submit files adding them as attachments to the assigment. On the assignment submission the ownership of the files is changed so only the teachers could modify the files. Teachers are able to return the files to the students, but in this case (using an assignment as a "file request") this step could be omitted.
To learn more about the assigment flow in Google Classroom see Understanding the assignment flow - Google Classroom Help
This is easily done by creating a quick Google Form with one question as a file upload type. You can set parameters on # of files allowed per upload up to 10, as well as file type and size parameters. See example of form setup This will allow you to have a unique URL for the request that you can share, as well as the ability to create multiple types of file requests for different things that can be filed in separate folders.
Teachers could have unique versions for different grades, classes, etc...
Personally, I have a generic one I use for most things but will spin up a new one anytime there is something Specific I need from multiple sources and will share that new URL out until I have what I need then I will disable it when I no longer need it.
Hope this helps!
Cheers!
-
1Unfortunately, anonymous file uploads in a Google Form are not supported. The uploader must sign in to a Google account. Aug 11, 2021 at 0:39