How can I list and process files from Google Drive's 'Shared with me' view?

Below is some background and sample code to help clarify things:

Background

• "Shared with me" is not a true folder.
  In Google Drive, the “Shared with me” view is really just a filter showing files and folders others have shared with you. It isn’t a folder you can directly work with (e.g. “move” into) like those in “My Drive.”

• Finding files shared with you.
  Using the Google Drive API you can retrieve files that were shared with you by filtering for files you don’t own. For example, a common query is:

  "name contains 'Google Sheets' and not 'me' in owners"
  

  This works since files that were shared with you typically have you as a reader but not the owner.

• Moving files versus adding a shortcut.
  Since you don’t own files from the “Shared with me” list most of the time, calling the API’s file update method to change the parent folder won’t work as expected. Instead, what you can do is “add to My Drive” by either creating a shortcut (using the file as-is) or, if allowed, adding the file to a folder in “My Drive.” The Drive API now supports shortcuts if you want to organize references.

Example Using Google Apps Script (Advanced Drive Service)

If you prefer Google Apps Script, you can enable the advanced Drive service (from Resources > Advanced Google services…), then run code like this:

JAVASCRIPTCopied
function addSharedSheetsToProcessing() {
  // YOUR_PROCESSING_FOLDER_ID: The ID of your "Processing" folder in My Drive.
  var processingFolderId = 'YOUR_PROCESSING_FOLDER_ID';
  
  // Query for shared files that you do not own and that contain 'Google Sheets' in the filename.
  // Note: Files not owned by you require special permission to change parents.
  var query = "name contains 'Google Sheets' and not '" + Session.getActiveUser().getEmail() + "' in owners";
  
  // Retrieve files using the Drive API
  var response = Drive.Files.list({
    q: query,
    // Add other parameters as needed e.g., fields, maxResults, etc.
  });
  
  var processingFolder = DriveApp.getFolderById(processingFolderId);
  
  if (response.items && response.items.length > 0) {
    for (var i = 0; i < response.items.length; i++) {
      var file = response.items[i];
      try {
        // In many cases, shared file owners don’t allow you to change the parent.
        // To “add” the file to your drive, you can create a shortcut.
        Drive.Files.insert({
          title: file.title,
          mimeType: 'application/vnd.google-apps.shortcut',
          shortcutDetails: { targetId: file.id }
        }, null, { convert: false });
        
        Logger.log("Created shortcut for: " + file.title);
      } catch (e) {
        Logger.log("Failed for " + file.title + ": " + e.toString());
      }
    }
  } else {
    Logger.log("No matching files found");
  }
}

Notes

• Permissions:
  If you try to update the file’s parents (to “move” it) and you’re not the owner, you usually won’t have permission. Creating shortcuts is a common workaround.

• API Method:
  The example above uses the Advanced Drive Service (which is essentially the same as the Drive API v2). Make sure you set up proper authentication and that the advanced service is enabled in your Apps Script project.

• Using Node.js or Other SDKs:
  The approach is similar. With the Drive API you would perform a file list with a query like:

  q: "name contains 'Google Sheets' and not 'me' in owners"
  

  and then for each file, either update its parents (if you have permission) or create a shortcut using the appropriate endpoint.

Conclusion

Yes, you can programmatically list shared files using the Drive API by filtering for files you don't own with filenames containing “Google Sheets.” However, since “Shared with me” isn’t an actual folder and you may not own these files, “moving” them into a folder in “My Drive” usually means adding a shortcut or reference rather than physically relocating the file.

Let me know if you need further assistance with any part of this process!