Most Google Workspace subscriptions include Google Drive and Google Docs editors, such as Docs, Sheets, and Slides. To make it easy to start using these apps, file creation settings are usually turned on by default. As an administrator, you can change these settings as needed.
An administrator might change these settings if they want to use Google Drive for file management, but they don't want to use Google Docs editors. In this case, an administrator would:
Note: If you turn off Docs editors file creation, users can still create Docs, Sheets, and Slides that are hosted on third-party storage systems as long as your organization has Drive and Docs turned on.
When file creation and upload is turned off, you can't turn on Docs editors file creation.
Users can't:
- Create or copy Docs, Drawings, Forms, Sheets, Sites, Slides, Vids, or email layouts.
- Upload non-Google files such as PDF, JPG, and Microsoft Office files.
- Create new Jams or Google Sites.
- Record meetings in Google Meet.
However, users can still move, edit, and share existing files in Drive.
Turn file creation & upload on or off
To let users create and upload any file to Google Drive, turn file creation and upload on. Learn what happens if this setting is turned off.
Before you begin: If you need to set up a department or team for this setting, go to Add an organizational unit.
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In the Admin console, go to Menu
Apps
Google Workspace
- Optional: To apply the setting to a department or team, at the side, select an organizational unit.
- Click Creating new files on Drive.
- Check or uncheck the Allow users to create and upload any file box.
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Click Save. Or, you might click Override for an organizational unit.
To later restore the inherited value, click Inherit.
Turn Docs editors file creation on or off
To let users create Docs, Drawings, Forms, Sheets, Sites, Slides, Vids, or email layouts, turn file creation on. If you turn this setting off, users can't create Docs editors files, but they can still collaborate on existing files in Drive.
Important: If file creation and upload is turned off, you can't turn on Docs editors file creation.
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Sign in to your Google Admin console.
Sign in using your administrator account (does not end in @gmail.com).
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In the Admin console, go to Menu
- Optional: To apply the setting to a department or team, at the side, select an organizational unit.
- Click Creating new files on Google Drive.
- Check or uncheck the Allow users to create new Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drawings, Forms, and Vids files box.
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Click Save. Or, you might click Override for an organizational unit.
To later restore the inherited value, click Inherit.
Related topics
- Turn Drive and Docs off or on
- Turn other Docs editor apps on or off:
- How Google handles user information in the app
