Bulk Convert Files from Google Shared Drives to PDF
Shared drives in Google Workspace are where teams keep their working files. When you need to archive a project, send a client a complete package, or distribute materials for a training, exporting those files to PDF one by one through File > Download takes too long. The Docs to PDF extension lets you select multiple files from a shared drive and convert them all to PDF in one batch. As long as you have Viewer access, the export works the same way as with your personal Drive.
How to access and export from shared drives
Open Google Drive and click 'Shared drives' in the left sidebar. Navigate into the shared drive and open the folder containing the files you want. Use Ctrl+click or Cmd+click to select specific files, or Ctrl+A and Cmd+A to select everything in the current view. Click the Docs to PDF extension icon in your Chrome toolbar to start the batch.
Permissions and what can fail
Viewer access is enough to export a file from a shared drive to PDF. If a shared drive admin has disabled downloads, file-level download restrictions are set, or you have been given a restricted role, specific exports will fail. The extension reports failed files at the end of the batch. Everything with valid Viewer access converts normally.
What file types can be converted from a shared drive
The extension converts native Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides files from shared drives. Uploaded files in non-Google formats, such as Word documents or Excel spreadsheets that have not been converted to Google format, are skipped. If you need to convert uploaded Word files, open them in Google Docs format first.
Where the exported PDFs go
Exported PDFs are saved to your local computer's downloads folder, not to the shared drive. Each PDF is named after the source file. If the team needs access to the PDFs, upload them to a shared location in the drive after the export.
Specific Guides
Bulk Convert All Files from a Shared Drive to PDF
Select every compatible file in a Google Workspace shared drive folder and export them all as PDFs at once.
Read guide →Bulk Convert Shared Drive Files to PDF with Viewer Access
Export files from a Google shared drive to PDF even when you only have Viewer, not Editor, access.
Read guide →Bulk Convert Files from a Google Workspace Team Drive to PDF
Export multiple documents from a Google Workspace team drive (shared drive) as PDFs in one batch operation.
Read guide →Exporting Shared Drive Files to PDF When Download is Restricted
Understand what happens when shared drive files have download restrictions and what options you have.
Read guide →Bulk Convert Shared Drive Files to PDF for Team Distribution
Export team documents from a shared drive as PDFs and distribute them to the whole team in a clean batch.
Read guide →Bulk Convert Files from a Client's Shared Drive to PDF
Export documents from a client-owned Google shared drive as PDFs when you have been added with Viewer access.
Read guide →Organize PDF Output from Shared Drive Bulk Exports
Manage the PDFs you get from bulk converting a Google shared drive folder so they are easy to find and distribute.
Read guide →Schedule Recurring Bulk PDF Exports from a Shared Drive
Automate regular PDF exports from a Google Workspace shared drive using Google Apps Script on a schedule.
Read guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a shared drive member to export files to PDF?
You need at least Viewer access to the files you want to export. You can have this as a shared drive member or through individual file sharing.
What happens if some files in the shared drive have download restrictions?
Files with download restrictions will fail. The extension processes the rest of the batch and reports how many files failed at the end.
Can external users outside the organization export from shared drives?
If the shared drive allows external access and the external user has been added with at least Viewer access, yes. Shared drive admins control whether external members are allowed.
Does this work with Google Workspace for Education shared drives?
Yes. Shared drives in Google Workspace for Education work the same way. Viewer access is sufficient for PDF export.
Can I export files from multiple shared drives in one batch?
No. Google Drive selection is limited to one folder or drive view at a time. Run separate batches for files in different shared drives.
Ready to Convert?
Join thousands of users who convert their Google Docs to PDF every day with our free Chrome extension.
Install Free Extension