How to batch upload documents to Google Docs

Previously, I wrote about a very cool program called DocSyncer that ran in the background in your system tray and automatically uploaded and synced any document stored on your computer.

Unfortunately, they really didn’t have any kind revenue model and eventually had to shut down their doors, which really sucked! Without that program, you’re back to having to manually upload individual documents to Google Docs and re-upload if you made changes.

Not really the most effective use of your time. Personally, I use Google Docs as a backup for all my documents residing on multiple computers. It’s also an easy way to access all your documents from multiple computers from anywhere in the world.

In this post, I’ll talk about two ways you can quickly upload files to Google Docs, especially if you have a bunch. For some odd reason, the upload option in Google Docs does not let you choose a folder or more than one file.

First, you can setup email to Google Docs, which lets you attach a file to an email and send it to a special address that will automatically upload the file into Google Docs.

In Google Docs, click on the Upload button near the top left:

Now if you scroll down a little bit, you’ll see the option to email your files to Google Docs using a special email address, which is very long and still uses the Writely domain.

Whatever the file name of the attachment is will be used as the Title in Google Docs. The only problem with this method is that it currently does not support spreadsheets, PDF files or Microsoft 2007 documents!

Another, faster way, to upload files to Google Docs is by batch upload. A program called Google Docs Batch Upload will allow you to upload entire directories all at once! What a blessing!

Not only that, it supports a bunch of formats, including CSV, DOC, DOCX, HTML, PDF, PPT, RTF, TAB, TXT, XLS, and XLSX.

In order to use the program, you have to install the Java Runtime Environment 1.6 or above, which most people already have installed on their computers. Once it’s installed, you just need to run the following command:

java -jar google-docs-upload.jar <path> –recursive

Replace path with the full path to your folder that contains the documents you want to upload. Note that the recursive parameter will make the program upload everything from all subfolders also.

You’ll be asked to enter your Google username and password and then the files will begin to upload! Easy as that! Enjoy! [via Lifehacker]