How to Send OneDrive to Gmail Email Properly?

For integration of Gmail with OneDrive, there is no native option, like how Google Drive does. Therefore, many users have a problem sending files from OneDrive to Gmail. If you want to attach OneDrive file to Gmail. Then, this blog explains the ways to easily share your OneDrive files through Gmail.

Organizations that work in hybrid environments where Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace are used. They often collaborate with partners, clients, or departments that use different cloud ecosystems.

Both are popular cloud platforms. Therefore, many professionals work with OneDrive for file storage and Gmail for communication. Sometimes, cross-platforms create challenges when users try to attach OneDrive files to Gmail emails, but since Gmail is natively integrated with Google Drive. You have to either manually download the files, share links, etc., to move the files from Microsoft OneDrive.

Scenarios Where You Need to Send OneDrive File to Gmail

• Many users use Gmail as their primary communication medium and OneDrive for storing data. So, when one has to share a file, they need to send the OneDrive shareable link via Gmail.
• When you attach a full file in your email, a 25 MB limit on the file size that is attached in your standard email. But sharing OneDrive allows you to share the link of the files rather than direct file attachment.
• Instead of sending multiple versions of a file, you can send a OneDrive link to a Gmail recipient, where they can see the updated version.

Many have their own reasons to send the OneDrive file in Gmail. So, to know how to attach files, I have explained the methods with proper steps.

Download OneDrive File and Attach It to Gmail

If you have a few OneDrive files that you want to send to Gmail. Then, use this method, which is free to use and easy to follow.

1. Go to the OneDrive and choose the file that you want to send.
2. Click on the Download button and save it to a place that will be easier to browse.
3. In your Gmail, click the Compose button to draft a new email.
4. At the bottom of the draft, click the Attach files or (paperclip icon).
5. Browse your saved file and upload it to the email draft.
6. At the end, add the receiver’s email, subject, and content of the message. Then, click the Send button.

This method will take extra storage for large files and be time-consuming because it involves individually downloading the files and attaching them.

Insert OneDrive Sharing Link to Gmail

Link sharing is much easier than manually attaching traditional attachments. In this, I am first generating the OneDrive link and then inserting it into the Gmail email.

1. In OneDrive, select the file that you want to share.
2. Click on the Share button in the More menu (three dots).
3. Copy the sharing link, then go to Gmail.
4. Compose an email draft and paste the link to the shared OneDrive files.
5. Add the content, provide the subject, and email recipient. Then, click the Send button.

If you have large files, this method will be helpful as you don’t need to download the files. But you need to set the access permissions for the recipients to view or edit the file.

Attach OneDrive File to Gmail Directly

OneDrive has an email sharing option that allows you to directly send the files to a Gmail recipient.

1. Sign in to OneDrive and choose the file that you want to attach.
2. Click the Share button and change the settings to Anyone with the link.
3. Choose Specific people and type the recipients’ Gmail email addresses.
4. Type the message, then click the Send button.

After receiving the email, the recipient will get the link to the OneDrive file. These are the methods to attach a OneDrive file to Gmail, but some of you may have a problem attaching the OneDrive file.

Challenges in Sending OneDrive Files Through Gmail

Sharing files across platforms can cause several challenges that you may face.

• The shared file would ask the recipients to sign in to a Microsoft account to view the file.
• If you are working in an enterprise or school OneDrive account, your administrator may entirely block the sharing of the OneDrive files in Gmail.
• Anyone with the link settings allows anyone to access the file. This creates a security risk.
• Some of you may face a file not found error. The reason is that your OneDrive is not properly synced with your computer.
• Gmail only allows attachments up to 25 MB total limit. So, if the file size exceeds the limit will be difficult to send.
• Make sure the recipient’s Gmail storage has enough space to store the attachment.
• OneDrive for Business only allows sharing files to 50-100 emails per action. So, it is hard to share the files with large Gmail groups at once.

These are the common issues that you have to face while attaching OneDrive files to Gmail. To avoid them, you can try the alternative option.

Alternative Way to Send OneDrive File to Gmail Email

When you are having a problem sharing a OneDrive file to Gmail. Why not move them to Google Drive? Gmail is easily integrated with Google Drive. So, by moving your data from OneDrive, you can easily send Gmail emails with your required attachments. Now, the question is how you can do it?

For this, I have a tool, SysTools OneDrive to Google Drive Migration Tool that can easily transfer your data in an easy way. This software moves the document with permission and preserves your folder hierarchy. You can use this to transfer multiple and selective documents easily. So, for professionals and IT admins, this method will be useful for sending OneDrive files.

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Ending Note

As OneDrive cannot be directly integrated with Gmail. Users may have a problem attaching OneDrive files to Gmail. Therefore, this blog provided you with manual ways to send OneDrive files to Gmail. They are simple, but you may face problems during the process. If that is the case, then try to move the attachments to the Google Drive to make sending the attachments much easier.