Move File to a Different Folder in Google Drive

Google Apps Script doesn’t offer a method for moving files from one folder in Google Drive to another one but there’s an option to add a file in Drive to multiple folders (similar to symbolic links in Unix). That can be used for moving files as well - remove the file from all existing folders and add it to the target folder.

// Move file to another Google Drive Folder

function moveFileToAnotherFolder(fileID, targetFolderID) {
  var file = DriveApp.getFileById(fileID);

  // Remove the file from all parent folders
  var parents = file.getParents();
  while (parents.hasNext()) {
    var parent = parents.next();
    parent.removeFile(file);
  }

  DriveApp.getFolderById(targetFolderID).addFile(file);
}
Amit Agarwal

Amit Agarwal

Google Developer Expert, Google Cloud Champion

Amit Agarwal is a Google Developer Expert in Google Workspace and Google Apps Script. He holds an engineering degree in Computer Science (I.I.T.) and is the first professional blogger in India.

Amit has developed several popular Google add-ons including Mail Merge for Gmail and Document Studio. Read more on Lifehacker and YourStory

Awards & Titles

Digital Inspiration has won several awards since it's launch in 2004.

Google Developer Expert

Google Developer Expert

Google awarded us the Google Developer Expert award recogizing our work in Google Workspace.

ProductHunt Golden Kitty

ProductHunt Golden Kitty

Our Gmail tool won the Lifehack of the Year award at ProductHunt Golden Kitty Awards in 2017.

Microsoft MVP Alumni

Microsoft MVP Alumni

Microsoft awarded us the Most Valuable Professional (MVP) title for 5 years in a row.

Google Cloud Champion

Google Cloud Champion

Google awarded us the Champion Innovator title recognizing our technical skill and expertise.

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