Google Docs Gets Priority Inbox, Makes Finding And Sharing Docs Easier

Google Docs is rolling out an update that simplifies sorting through files and documents you’ve stored in Docs, including a handy Priority sorting — similar to Gmail’s Priority Inbox — that puts your most important files at the top of the list.

The Documents List page redesign includes:

A New Collections Pane

You can create collections of files and share full collections with other users. Docs already had folders, so this isn’t a huge change. The difference:

Collections are designed to combine the best features of labels and folders. A file can live in multiple collections, just like with Gmail labels. Collections can also be stored hierarchically, just like folders on your desktop. And of course, collections can be shared, just like you can share docs.

Filters for Easy Sorting

If you’re a heavy Docs user, you’ll appreciate the new filters, which narrow down items by sharing status, ownership and collection. There’s also the new Priority sorting:

Priority sorting is like Gmail’s Priority Inbox, in that we look at a number of signals to put your most relevant files at the top of the list.

More Details for Your Files

Last but not least, the new details pane on the left of the screen gives thumbnail previews of your files, sharing information, and a look at the collections it’s included in.

A refresh to the Documents List [Google Docs Blog]