Simple Google Drive URL Tricks You Should Know

On February 25, 2026 By newsroom Topic: Technology Buyers Guide

These URL tricks allow you to efficiently share, preview, download, and embed Google Drive files in various formats with just a bit of URL manipulation. Here’s your ultimate guide:

1. Google Drive Web Viewer

Purpose: View shared files directly in the browser without downloading.
URL Format:
https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=FILE_URL
Replace FILE_URL with the file’s link.
Example: Web Viewer Example

2. Reader Mode for Google Docs

Purpose: Open Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides in a clean, menu-free mode.
URL Trick: Replace /edit with /preview. Original: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/SHEET_ID/edit Reader Mode: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/SHEET_ID/preview

3. Embed Google Docs in Web Pages

Purpose: Embed a Google document in your website.
Embed Code: ```html

```

4. Create Direct Download Links

Purpose: Skip the web viewer and let users directly download a file.
URL Format:
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=DRIVE_FILE_ID

5. Direct Download Links for Native Google Docs

Purpose: Offer files in different formats (e.g., PDF, DOCX).
Replace /edit with /export?format= followed by the desired format: PDF: https://docs.google.com/document/d/DOC_FILE_ID/export?format=pdf DOC: https://docs.google.com/document/d/DOC_FILE_ID/export?format=doc

6. Export Google Slides

Replace /edit with /export/format=.
PDF:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/PRESENTATION_ID/export/pdf
PowerPoint:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/PRESENTATION_ID/export/pptx
Download individual slides as PNG files:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/PRESENTATION_ID/export/png?pageid=pSLIDE_NUMBER

7. Export Google Sheets

Replace /edit with /export?format=:
Excel:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/SPREADSHEET_ID/export?format=xlsx
PDF:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/SPREADSHEET_ID/export?format=pdf
CSV:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/SPREADSHEET_ID/export?format=csv

8. Copy Shared Google Drive Files

Replace /edit with /copy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/FILE_ID/copy
Additional Options:
Include comments: ?copyComments=true
Exclude resolved comments: ?includeResolvedCommentsOnCopy=false
Share with others post-copy: [email protected]

9. Embed Google Drawings

Replace /edit with /export/FORMAT to download or embed:
SVG:
https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/FILE_ID/export/svg
PNG:
https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/FILE_ID/export/png
JPEG:
https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/FILE_ID/export/jpg

Embed in HTML: ```html

Google Drawing

```

Pro Tips

Preview Without Distractions: Use /preview for presentations during meetings or on websites.

Direct Download: Perfect for offering resources like PDFs, templates, or presentations.

Share with Style: Add inline images or embed files for a professional touch on web pages.

Start using these tricks to maximize the potential of your Google Drive files!