Finding files by author or owner refers to locating digital files based on the person credited with creating the content (author) or the person who currently controls the file's permissions (owner). Author information is typically embedded within the file's metadata by the application used to create it, while ownership relates to file system permissions managed by the operating system. You search using these attributes through specific search fields in file managers or search tools, distinct from searching by name or date.

This feature is commonly used in collaborative environments. For instance, a graphic designer might search Adobe Illustrator files by their name as the author to quickly retrieve drafts. On a company SharePoint site, a project manager might search for documents where they are listed as the owner to ensure they review items under their responsibility before a deadline. Enterprise document management systems like Google Drive or Microsoft 365 provide robust search filters for both author and owner attributes.

The main advantage is efficient retrieval of relevant documents in shared workspaces, saving significant time. However, accuracy depends heavily on consistent metadata entry; users often forget to set author details, and ownership might not reflect original content creation if files are copied or permissions reassigned. Privacy implications exist concerning system administrators accessing files via ownership filters. Future improvements may focus on automating metadata capture and integrating ownership visibility more intuitively across cloud platforms.