Google Drive Integration
Connect your Google Drive account to enable AI-powered automatic file renaming. No more messy filenames - share folders once and let watched folders keep everything organized.
How It Works
Are your Google Drive folders filled with files like scan_2025_10_07.pdf or invoice1.pdf? Our Google Drive integration works in the background to analyze, rename, and organize your PDF documents based on their content.
The process is simple:
- 1Connect your Google account and enable the integration
- 2Share folders with [email protected] service account
- 3Create watched folders and configure their settings
- 4Drop PDF files into shared folders or use "Sync Now" to process existing files
- 5Find your perfectly renamed files automatically organized
Why Use This Integration
Save Time
Eliminate manual file renaming
Stay Organized
Consistent naming across all documents
Find Files Faster
Searchable, descriptive filenames
Secure by Design
Only folders you share are accessible
Getting Started
Connect Your Google Account
- Log in to your Renamed.to account
- Go to Settings → Integrations
- Find the Google Drive integration and click Connect Google Drive
- Sign in with your Google account
- Review and approve the permissions (we only request access to files you explicitly share)
- You'll be redirected back with a success message
We use OAuth 2.0 with scoped permissions (drive.file scope). Your Google credentials are never shared with us—authentication happens directly with Google. Your files remain in your Google Drive account. Files are downloaded directly from Google Drive, processed in temporary local storage, and immediately deleted after processing. Files are never stored in external cloud storage.
Share Folders
- After connecting, you need to share folders with our service account ([email protected])
- Open Google Drive in your browser (drive.google.com)
- Create folders for your PDFs (e.g., "Invoices", "Receipts", "Contracts")
- Right-click each folder → Share
- Enter [email protected] in the share dialog
- Set permission to Editor (allows us to rename files)
- Click Send
We can only access folders you explicitly share with [email protected]. Your other Google Drive files remain completely private. This is different from OneDrive integration, which uses OAuth for direct account access.
Create Watched Folders
- Go to Settings → Integrations → Google Drive
- Click Create Watched Folder
- Select one of your shared folders from the dropdown
- Configure folder settings: Organization Strategy, Filename Template, Destination Mode, Output Language, Custom Prompt, Active toggle
- Click Save Configuration to apply settings
Watched folders automatically monitor all subfolders recursively. This means you can organize files in a folder structure like /Invoices/2024/January and all PDFs will be processed, regardless of their depth in the folder hierarchy.
Process Your Files
- Drop PDF files or scanned images (JPG, PNG, TIFF) into your shared folders in Google Drive
- Files are automatically detected and processed
- Wait 30-60 seconds for processing to complete
- Files are renamed (and optionally moved) based on your folder settings
- Or click "Sync Now" to manually process existing files
Security & Privacy
OAuth 2.0 Authentication
We use Google's OAuth 2.0 for secure authentication. Your Google credentials are never shared with us—authentication happens directly with Google.
Scoped Access Only
We use the drive.file scope, which only gives us access to files and folders you explicitly share with our service account. We cannot access any other files in your Google Drive.
Service Account Sharing
You control exactly which folders we can access by sharing them with [email protected]. Your files remain in your Google Drive account. Files are downloaded directly from Google Drive, processed in temporary local storage, and immediately deleted after processing.
Token Encryption
All access tokens are encrypted at rest in our database. Tokens are automatically refreshed before expiration to ensure continuous operation.
You Control Access
You can disconnect the integration at any time from your settings. Disconnecting immediately revokes all access permissions. You can also stop sharing folders with our service account at any time in Google Drive.
Organization Strategies
When using "Move to Renamed" destination mode, you can choose how files are organized into subfolders. You can use predefined organization strategies or create custom structures using prompt-driven organization. This only applies when files are moved; in-place renaming keeps files in the same location.
Simple Organization
- Root (Flat Structure)
- All files are placed directly in the destination folder with no subfolders.
- By Date
- Files are organized by year extracted from the document.
- By Issuer
- Files are grouped by the company or organization that issued the document.
- By Type
- Files are grouped by document type (Invoice, Receipt, Contract, etc.).
Combined Organization
- By Date & Issuer
- Files are organized first by year, then by company.
- By Date & Type
- Files are organized first by year, then by document type.
- By Issuer & Type
- Files are organized first by company, then by document type.
- By All (Date, Issuer, Type)
- Files are organized by year, then company, then document type. Best for large document collections that need maximum organization.
Prompt-Driven Organization
Beyond the predefined strategies, you can use a custom prompt to create completely custom folder structures. The AI will interpret your instructions and organize files according to your specific needs—perfect for unique workflows, project-based organization, or department-specific structures.
How It Works
When you provide a custom prompt in the folder settings, the AI uses it to determine both the folder structure and filename. The most effective approach is to provide a path template showing the desired folder structure, or include concrete examples of the folder paths you want.
Method 1: Path Template (Recommended)
Provide a template using placeholders that show the folder structure:
Custom Prompt:
Use folder structure: /{department}/{Year}/Q{quarter}/Results in:
Custom Prompt:
Organize as: /{ProjectCode}/{DocumentType}/Results in:
Method 2: Examples
Provide concrete examples showing the folder paths you want:
Custom Prompt:
Organize by client, then year and document type. Examples: /AcmeCorp/2025/Invoices/, /TechCorp/2025/Contracts/Results in:
Method 3: Natural Language with Examples
Combine descriptive instructions with examples for best results:
Custom Prompt:
Group by department (HR, Finance, Legal), then year and document type. Example: /HR/2025/Offer_Letter.pdf or /Finance/2025/Invoice.pdfResults in:
Best Practices:
- •Use path templates with {placeholder} notation for clear structure
- •Include examples of desired folder paths to guide the AI
- •Specify fallbacks for missing data (e.g., "Use 'Unknown' if project code not found")
How Files Are Named
Renamed.to uses intelligent AI to create professional, organized filenames that make your documents easy to find and sort. You can use Auto mode, predefined templates, or custom prompts to control exactly how your files are named.
Auto Mode (Recommended)
AI intelligently analyzes your document and creates professional filenames using enterprise-grade naming standards. No configuration needed—just works.
- Smart Date Detection
- Includes dates (YYYY-MM-DD format) only for transactional documents like invoices, receipts, statements, and periodic documents. Omits dates for resumes, contracts, and other documents where dates aren't the primary sorting factor.
- Document Type Recognition
- Uses standardized document types from a controlled vocabulary (Invoice, Receipt, Contract, Bank Statement, Utility Bill, Payslip, etc.). Common synonyms are automatically mapped to standardized names.
- Business Context Awareness
- Detects department context (accounting, HR, legal, finance) and adapts naming patterns accordingly. For example, HR documents might include department codes, while invoices focus on company and reference numbers.
- Cross-Platform Safe Formatting
- Uses underscores as delimiters, no spaces or special characters. Filenames work on Windows, macOS, Linux, and all cloud storage services.
Real Examples
Original filename
scan_2025_10_07.pdfAI-generated filename
2025-10-07_AcmeCorp_Invoice_INV-12345.pdfOriginal filename
receipt1.pdfAI-generated filename
2025-09-15_Starbucks_Receipt.pdfOriginal filename
document.pdfAI-generated filename
2025-03-15_TechCorp_Contract_2024-05.pdfCommon Questions
How quickly will my files start processing?
Once you connect Google Drive and configure a watched folder, most PDFs and scanned images are picked up and renamed within 30–60 seconds. Existing files can be processed immediately using the "Sync Now" button.
What permissions are required?
We use OAuth 2.0 with the drive.file scope, which only gives us access to files and folders you explicitly share with our service account ([email protected]). This is different from OneDrive integration, which uses broader OAuth permissions. Your files remain in your Google Drive account.
Is my data secure?
Yes. We use OAuth 2.0 for secure authentication with Google. All tokens are encrypted at rest. Files are downloaded directly from Google Drive, processed in temporary local storage, and immediately deleted after processing. The integration only accesses folders you explicitly share, and you can disconnect anytime.
Can I disconnect my Google Drive account?
Yes. You can disconnect your Google Drive integration at any time from Settings → Integrations. Disconnecting immediately revokes all access permissions. You can also stop sharing folders with our service account directly in Google Drive.
How do watched folders work?
Watched folders are shared folders in your Google Drive that you've shared with [email protected]. Each folder can have its own configuration for how files are renamed and organized. PDF files and scanned images (JPG, PNG, TIFF) dropped into watched folders are automatically processed and renamed according to the folder's settings. Watched folders monitor all subfolders recursively.
What's the difference between in-place rename and move to Renamed?
In-place rename: Files stay in the same folder but get renamed with AI-generated filenames. Optionally, files can be organized into subfolders within the watched folder based on your organization strategy. Move to Renamed: Files are moved to your selected destination folder and organized into subfolders based on your organization strategy (by date, issuer, type, etc.). You must select a destination folder when using this mode.
Can I customize how files are named?
Yes! For each watched folder, you can choose from predefined filename templates or use Auto mode. You can also provide a custom prompt to influence how the AI generates filenames. Additionally, you can configure the output language and organization strategy.
What's the difference from OneDrive integration?
Google Drive integration uses shared folders with our service account ([email protected]), while OneDrive integration connects directly to your Microsoft account via OAuth. Both provide the same AI-powered renaming features but with different authentication methods. Google Drive's shared folder approach gives you more granular control over which folders are accessible.
What file types are supported?
PDF files and scanned images (JPG, PNG, TIFF) are processed. These files dropped into watched folders will be automatically renamed. Other file types will be ignored.
Do I need credits to use this integration?
Yes, each file processed consumes 1 credit from your account. You can purchase credits from your account settings. If you run out of credits while files are being processed, those jobs will be automatically paused and marked as "pending credits." When you add credits, processing automatically resumes.
What happens if a PDF is password-protected?
Encrypted PDFs can't be processed. They will remain in the shared folder unchanged. Export an unencrypted copy and try again.
Related Documentation
Using the AI File Renamer
Learn the fundamentals of AI-powered file renaming, including Auto mode, templates, and custom prompts.
Dropbox Integration
Set up automatic file renaming for your Dropbox account with similar features to Google Drive integration.
OneDrive Integration
Learn about OneDrive integration which uses OAuth for direct account access, compared to Google Drive's shared folder approach.
Use Case Examples
Explore real-world examples of how AI transforms messy filenames across different industries and workflows.
Ready to Join the Beta Program?
Connect your Google Drive account and get early access to automated file renaming. Your files will be perfectly organized with AI-powered naming.