Tools to access and manage objects using a directory structure
Although Cloud Storage provides blob storage, it also offers multiple tools
that allow you to access and manage objects in buckets by using a directory
structure. This page provides an overview of those tools.
Overview
Cloud Storage buckets store objects in a flat namespace but there are
multiple tools you can use to interact with your stored data in a directory
structure, similar to file systems. These tools provide the following
capabilities:
Structuring your data: Group related objects into folders,
making it easier to navigate and manage your data.
Controlling access to object groups: Set up granular access
control for your objects, enabling you to specify who can view, edit, or
delete specific sets of data within a bucket.
Simulated folders
Simulated folders in Cloud Storage are a way to create a visual
hierarchy and organize objects within a bucket without actually creating folder
structures. Using the Trusted Cloud console and Google Cloud CLI, you can simulate
folders that mimic the file tree to help you organize data in your bucket.
Simulated folders are implemented by using prefixes or delimiters, separated by
a forward slash / within object names.
Folders in buckets with hierarchical namespace enabled
In buckets with hierarchical namespace enabled, you can create actual
folders that contain objects or other folders. You can also perform operations
like renaming folders and listing folders. The hierarchical structure and folder
management operations improve performance, consistency, and management for
file-oriented and data-intensive workloads.
For more information about folders, see
About folders in buckets with hierarchical namespace enabled.
Managed folders
Managed folders enable you to apply granular access controls to your
objects, enhancing security and control over your data. You can use managed
folders in buckets with or without hierarchical namespace enabled. Unlike
simulated folders which use prefixes, managed folders are actual
resources within the bucket, enabling you to apply Identity and Access Management (IAM)
policies to groups of objects.
To get started using managed folders, see Create managed folders.
What's next
Except as otherwise noted, the content of this page is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License, and code samples are licensed under the Apache 2.0 License. For details, see the Google Developers Site Policies. Java is a registered trademark of Oracle and/or its affiliates.
Last updated 2025-08-07 UTC.
[[["Easy to understand","easyToUnderstand","thumb-up"],["Solved my problem","solvedMyProblem","thumb-up"],["Other","otherUp","thumb-up"]],[["Missing the information I need","missingTheInformationINeed","thumb-down"],["Too complicated / too many steps","tooComplicatedTooManySteps","thumb-down"],["Out of date","outOfDate","thumb-down"],["Samples / code issue","samplesCodeIssue","thumb-down"],["Other","otherDown","thumb-down"]],["Last updated 2025-08-07 UTC."],[],[],null,["# Tools to access and manage objects using a directory structure\n\nAlthough Cloud Storage provides blob storage, it also offers multiple tools\nthat allow you to access and manage objects in buckets by using a directory\nstructure. This page provides an overview of those tools.\n\nOverview\n--------\n\nCloud Storage buckets store objects in a [flat namespace](/storage/docs/objects#flat-namespace) but there are\nmultiple tools you can use to interact with your stored data in a directory\nstructure, similar to file systems. These tools provide the following\ncapabilities:\n\n- **Structuring your data**: Group related objects into folders,\n making it easier to navigate and manage your data.\n\n- **Controlling access to object groups**: Set up granular access\n control for your objects, enabling you to specify who can view, edit, or\n delete specific sets of data within a bucket.\n\n### Simulated folders\n\n[Simulated folders](/storage/docs/objects#simulated-folders) in Cloud Storage are a way to create a visual\nhierarchy and organize objects within a bucket without actually creating folder\nstructures. Using the Google Cloud console and Google Cloud CLI, you can simulate\nfolders that mimic the file tree to help you organize data in your bucket.\nSimulated folders are implemented by using prefixes or delimiters, separated by\na forward slash `/` within object names.\n\n### Folders in buckets with hierarchical namespace enabled\n\nIn buckets with [hierarchical namespace](/storage/docs/hns-overview) enabled, you can create actual\nfolders that contain objects or other folders. You can also perform operations\nlike renaming folders and listing folders. The hierarchical structure and folder\nmanagement operations improve performance, consistency, and management for\nfile-oriented and data-intensive workloads.\n\nFor more information about folders, see\n[About folders in buckets with hierarchical namespace enabled](/storage/docs/folders-overview).\n\n### Managed folders\n\n[Managed folders](/storage/docs/managed-folders) enable you to apply granular access controls to your\nobjects, enhancing security and control over your data. You can use managed\nfolders in buckets with or without hierarchical namespace enabled. Unlike\nsimulated folders which use prefixes, managed folders are actual\nresources within the bucket, enabling you to apply Identity and Access Management (IAM)\npolicies to groups of objects.\n\nTo get started using managed folders, see [Create managed folders](/storage/docs/creating-managing-managed-folders).\n\nWhat's next\n-----------\n\n- Learn about [simulated folders](/storage/docs/objects#simulated-folders).\n- Learn about [enabling hierarchical namespace for your bucket](/storage/docs/hns-overview).\n- Learn about [managed folders](/storage/docs/managed-folders)."]]
