How to duplicate files in Google Drive using Python pydrive or REST API

[TomDream42]

I’m working on converting a Google Apps Script to Python and I’m stuck on one specific part. I have JavaScript code that copies files from one folder to another, but I need to find the Python equivalent.

Here’s my current Python attempt:

def duplicate_folder_files(source_folder_id, destination_folder_id):
    # Get all files from source directory
    file_list = drive.ListFile({'q': f"'{source_folder_id}' in parents"}).GetList()
    
    for item in file_list:
        # Need Python equivalent for copying file to target folder
        copied_file = item.copy()  # This doesn't work as expected
        copied_file['parents'] = [{'id': destination_folder_id}]
        copied_file.Upload()

source_id = 'your_source_folder_id'
target_id = 'your_target_folder_id' 
duplicate_folder_files(source_id, target_id)

The main issue is finding a Python function that works like the JavaScript makeCopy() method. I need to copy files and place them in a specific destination folder. Can anyone help me find the right pydrive method or Google Drive API call to accomplish this file duplication with a target location?

[Emma_Fluffy]

Skip pydrive’s copy method - it doesn’t exist. Use Google Drive API’s files.copy method directly instead. Here’s what works:

def duplicate_folder_files(source_folder_id, destination_folder_id):
file_list = drive.ListFile({‘q’: f"‘{source_folder_id}’ in parents"}).GetList()

for item in file_list:
    copied_file = drive.CreateFile({
        'title': item['title'],
        'parents': [{'id': destination_folder_id}]
    })
    
    copied_file = drive.auth.service.files().copy(
        fileId=item['id'],
        body={'parents': [{'id': destination_folder_id}]}
    ).execute()

This goes around pydrive’s limits by hitting the REST API directly through the service object. Just make sure your auth scope covers file copying.

[FlyingLeaf]

Pydrive doesn’t have a direct copy method on file objects. You’ll need to use the Google Drive API’s files.copy endpoint through pydrive’s auth session. Here’s what worked for me:

def duplicate_folder_files(source_folder_id, destination_folder_id):
    file_list = drive.ListFile({'q': f"'{source_folder_id}' in parents"}).GetList()
    
    for item in file_list:
        copied_file = drive.CreateFile()
        copied_file.auth.service.files().copy(
            fileId=item['id'],
            body={'parents': [destination_folder_id]}
        ).execute()

You could also create a new file object with the copied content by setting the original file as a template, but the API copy method works better for larger files. Just make sure your auth scope includes ‘https://www.googleapis.com/auth/drive’ for write permissions.

[Mia92]

try using drive.CreateFile() with the file id instead. something like new_file = drive.CreateFile({'id': item['id']}) then copied = new_file.Copy() and set the parent after. worked for me when i had the same issu last month