When you send messages in Gmail, you can attach files from Google Drive, such as documents and photos. If the file exceeds the Gmail size limit, or if you want to collaborate on it with others, attach it from Drive.
Send a Google Drive attachment
- On your computer, open Gmail.
- At the top left, click Compose.
- At the bottom of the message, click Insert files using Drive
.
- Select the files you want to attach.
- At the bottom of the page, decide how you want to send the file:
- Drive link: This works for any files stored in Drive, including files created using Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, or Forms.
- Attachment: This only works for files that weren't created using Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, or Forms.
- Click Insert.
Sharing settings for Google Drive files
When you attach a Google Drive file to a message, Gmail checks to see if your recipients have access to the file. If they don't, you'll be prompted to change the sharing settings of the file before you send your message.
If you choose "Anyone with the link" as your sharing setting, you can choose whether people can view, comment in, or edit the file.
If the message is forwarded or new people are added to the conversation, they'll have the same permissions as the people you originally sent the message to.
Recipients don't need to have a Google Account to see or edit the file.
If you only want your message's recipients to be able to see or edit the file, click "More options" when you're prompted to change your file settings.
If you keep the file private, recipients won't be able to see it if:
- They don't have a Google Account
- The email address you used isn't a Google account
- They got the message through a mailing list (unless the mailing list is managed through Google Groups and the file is shared with the Group)
Note: If a file can't be shared with others, Gmail will let you know and you may have to contact the original file owner to adjust the sharing settings.
If you use Gmail through your work, school, or other organization, your admin may restrict which files you can share, and who you can share them with.
Only people with a Google Account can see Google Drive files you attach in Gmail.