How to Use the Secure Vault for File Storage and Google Drive Sync
Secure Vault – File Storage & Management
Navigate to: Dashboard > Secure Vault > Files (/dashboard/vault/files)
Your Secure Vault is a private, encrypted file storage system integrated directly into SparkyMinis. Every file you upload — whether a project contract, a travel ticket, a passport scan, or a business expense receipt — lands here automatically and stays protected behind your login credentials.
What Goes in the Vault
The Vault stores files that come from multiple parts of the platform:
| Source | How files get in |
|---|---|
| Business Projects | Files added in Project > Files tab |
| Business Contacts | Documents attached to a contact record |
| Invoices | Attachments on an invoice |
| Business Expenses | Receipt photos and files |
| Travel Trips | Tickets, confirmations, photos |
| Document Creator | Documents you export or save |
| Direct Upload | Files uploaded directly to Vault > Files |
You do not need to manually move files here — the Vault aggregates them automatically from all sections.
Uploading Files Directly
If you have a file that doesn't belong to a specific project or trip:
- Navigate to Vault > Files.
- Click Upload Files.
- The file uploader modal opens — drag and drop files or select them.
- The file is uploaded, encrypted, and stored immediately.
File Categories and Organisation
Files are automatically tagged based on where they originated (e.g., a project file gets tagged "Project – Client Name"). You can also manually add or change categories:
- Click on a file to open its detail view.
- Click Edit to change the category, name, or add notes.
- Click Save.
Use the filter bar at the top of the Files list to filter by:
- Source (ALL, or by section: INVOICES, EXPENSES, PROJECTS, TRIPS, VAULT)
Viewing Files
- Images — Preview inline without downloading.
- PDFs — Open in a full-screen reader.
- Other documents — Download to open in the relevant application.
Click on any file card to see the full view.
Editing File Details
- Open a file.
- Click Edit (pencil icon).
- Update:
- File Name — Rename for clarity.
- Category — Reassign to a different section.
- Notes — Add context or tagging notes.
- Click Save.
Note: You cannot edit the file content from within SparkyMinis. Download, edit externally, and re-upload if needed.
Deleting Files
- Open the file from the Vault list.
- Click Delete File.
- Confirm the deletion. This is permanent and cannot be undone.
From the list view, you can also hover over a file card and click the trash icon for faster deletion.
Syncing with Google Drive
SparkyMinis can back up your Vault files to a dedicated SparkyMinis folder in your Google Drive:
- Go to Settings > Integrations.
- Find the Google Drive card.
- Click Connect Google Drive and authorise the connection.
- Toggle Auto Sync to enable continuous sync.
How it works:
- SparkyMinis creates a folder called
SparkyMinisin your Drive root. - Files uploaded to the Vault are mirrored in this Drive folder.
- Sync is one-directional: SparkyMinis → Drive (not the other way around).
File Storage: Secure Cloud vs Local
Every file in the Vault shows one of two storage states:
| State | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Secure Cloud | The file is synced to SparkyMinis' encrypted cloud storage (Cloudflare R2). Accessible from any device. |
| Local Only | The file exists in your browser's local storage. Not accessible from other devices. |
To move a file to Secure Cloud, click the cloud upload icon (↑ icon) on the file row.
To remove it from cloud but keep it locally, click the cloud-off icon on the same row.
Syncing with Google Drive
SparkyMinis can back up your Vault files to Google Drive:
- Go to Settings > Account and find the Integrations section.
- Click Connect Google Drive and authorise the connection via your Google account.
- A
SparkyMinisfolder is created in your Drive root. - To back up a specific file: on the Files page, click the cloud icon on any file row. It shows Backed Up (GDrive) when complete.
How it works:
- Sync is one-directional: SparkyMinis → Google Drive.
- Files deleted in SparkyMinis are not automatically deleted from Google Drive.
- If Drive is not connected, the Connect button shows "Drive Not Connected" with a warning indicator.
Encryption and Privacy
- Files are encrypted at rest using AES-256 encryption.
- Your files are not indexed or accessible by SparkyMinis staff.
- No AI models are trained on your Vault contents.
- Drive and OneDrive integrations use OAuth — your credentials are never stored by SparkyMinis.