There are basically two kinds of files that you can put in Google Drive:

  1. Google "native" files: Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, and Google Forms.  You can edit these files directly in your browser.
  2. Any other kind of files (e.g., Word files, Excel files, PDFs, pictures, etc.).  These files can be stored and viewed in Google Drive, but you must download these files to edit them (and then re-upload them to Google Drive afterwards).


Using the "native" Google Docs and Sheets can be much more useful because you -- and your peers! -- can edit them directly in the browser.  There's no need to download the file and send it as an attachment -- you can just send a link to the file and your colleagues will be able to access it.  You no longer have to worry about finding the latest version of a file that was sent as an attachment!


Note, too, that Google Drive has wonderful online help and videos to explain how to use its tools.