Gmail Attachments

When you receive an email with an attachment, Gmail allows you to do a number of things:

• You can view the attachment directly in Gmail;
• You can save the attachment to your Google Drive; and
• You can download the attachment to your computer.

Gmail lists the attachments at the bottom of the email, like so:

If Gmail “knows” what the attachment is, you will get a thumbnail, otherwise you’ll get a blank box with an icon. Moving the pointer over the attachment brings up a couple of icons:

This allows you to:

• View the attachment directly by clicking anywhere not on the two dark grey icons;

• Download the attachment by clicking on ; and

• Save the attachment to Google Drive by clicking on .

Viewing the attachment directly is the easiest option, as the document or picture is opened immediately in your email window. This allows you to preview the file and print it if required, without needing to download the file first. While previewing the document, moving the mouse produces this menu:

The two important icons are highlighted—the Printer, and the Close. These allow you to print the document, and close the preview. The icon to the right of the printer allows you to download the document if you feel you need to have a copy on your computer, or wish to edit the document before printing.