How to Add a File Browser Module

The File Browser module lets you embed a browsable Google Drive view anywhere on your site with fine-grained controls for sources, filters, UI, permissions, search, and notifications.

Quick Start

1. Go to Google Drive → Module Builder.
2. In Modules, choose File Browser and click Next.
3. In Source, select the folders/files to display, then Save Changes → Next.
4. Configure Filter, Advanced, Notifications, and Permissions as needed.
5. Click Finish to generate the module and place it where you want.

Step 1 Modules

• Choose Module → Start by selecting the File Browser module from the Modules tab

Step 2 Source

Select the Drive locations that the module will show.

• Pick Folders/Files: Click items to select; chosen items appear in the right sidebar list.
• Upload / Create Folder / Refresh: Available from the toolbar.
• Sort & View: Toggle Grid/List, and change sort (Name, Size, Created At, Updated At) with Ascending/Descending order.

Step 3 Filter

Decide which items are visible in the module.

• Allowed Extensions: Show only specific file types.
• Exclude Extensions: Hide certain file types.
• Allowed Names: A comma-separated list. Supports wildcards:
  • report*, *.txt
  • file?, image_*
• Apply To: Choose whether name filters apply to Files, Folders, or both.

Step 4 Advanced

Module Settings

• Container Size: Set width/height (e.g., 100%, 640px, 80vh), or leave blank for default.
• Theme: Light or Dark.

File Loading Type

• Load More (button), Infinite Scroll, or Pagination.
• Files in First Render: Initial batch size slider.

Header Controls

• Show Header — toggle the entire header area.
• Breadcrumbs — show path navigation.
• Refresh Button — reload items on demand.
• Sorting — expose sort UI to viewers.
• Default Sort: Name / Size / Created At / Updated At + Ascending/Descending.

Step 5 Notifications

Send email alerts for user activities performed in this module.

• Email Notifications — master toggle.
• Download Notification — email when files are downloaded.
• Upload Notification — email when files are uploaded.
• Delete Notification — email when files are deleted.
• Email Recipients — choose recipients (e.g., admin) and Skip Current User Notification if you don’t want to notify the actor.

Step 6 Permissions

Choose who can view the module and which actions they may take.

Action Permissions

Enable actions and optionally restrict by audience (Everyone / Logged):

• Allow Upload — choose who can upload (Role-based or User-based targeting supported).
• Preview — inline lightbox preview; optional:
  • Inline Preview (open in modal)
  • Allow Pop-out (open in Google’s native viewer)
  • Show Preview Thumbnails
• New Folder (if available in your build)
• Rename
• Move / Copy
• Delete
• Download
• Enable Password Protection — require a password to access the module.
  • Password generator & strength rules (min length, mixed case, numbers, symbols).
• 

6.1) Search

Let viewers search files by name with precise controls.

• Allow Search — master toggle.
• Search Location Options
  • Cache — search the cached index for speed.
  • Server — live search against Google Drive.
• Search Scope Options
  • Current Folder — limit to the visible folder tree.
  • Global — search across all selected sources.
• Filter Users & Roles — Everyone or Logged (mirrors viewer visibility when needed)

Display For (Viewer Visibility)

• Everyone (public)
• Logged (only authenticated users)

User Access (Audience Targeting)

• Role-Based — pick roles (e.g., Administrator, Editor, Author).
• User-Based — pick specific users.

Show Access Denied Message

• Enable showing a message when a visitor lacks access.
• Default: “You do not have access to this module.” (You can customize the text.)

Use this shortcode to display the File Browser:

[integration-google-drive id="1"]

Best Practices

• Prefer Role-Based access for maintainability; use User-Based only for sensitive modules.
• Enable Password Protection for internal modules embedded on public pages.
• Use the Cache location for fast searches; fall back to the Server for exhaustive results.
• Tune Files in First Render + Infinite Scroll for large folders to improve perceived performance.

Troubleshooting

• Can’t see files? Check Source selection and Filter rules (extensions/names).
• Actions disabled? Verify Permissions toggles and audience (Everyone vs Logged vs Role/User).
• Slow listing? Switch to Load More or reduce First Render count in Advanced.
• Search misses items? Try Server location and Global scope, then Refresh.