Gmail: Open and Download Attachments

Environment

U-M Google (Mail) / Gmail

Issue

How to open and download Attachments in Gmail.

Resolution

Download an attachment to your computer

  1. Open an email message in your U-M Google mail.
  2. Hover your mouse over the attachment thumbnail, then click Download.
  3. Check your browser’s settings to see where to find your downloads.
    1. If you use Google Chrome, learn about downloading a file on Chrome.

You can also drag pictures and attachments from your email to your desktop to download them.

Download an attachement to Google Drive

  1. Open an email message in your U-M Google mail.
  2. Hover your mouse over the attachment thumbnail, then click Add to Drive.
    1. Some attachments can be seen or shared, but not saved to Google Drive.

Download a photo from an email

Some photos are sent inside an email message, and not as attachments.

  1. Download to your computer: Right-click the photo and choose the option to save the photo.
  2. Download to Google Drive: Download the photo to your computer and then upload it to Google Drive.

Open an Office file attachment in Docs, Sheets, or Slides

  1. Open an email with an Office file attachment.
  2. Hover your mouse over the thumbnail -> click Edit with Google Docs/Sheets/Slides.
    1. A copy of the new Office attachment will be stored in Drive.

For other email options, click File -> Email.

Include attachments when replying or forwarding

Attachments are included when you forward a message but aren’t automatically included when you reply to a message.

To include the original attachments when replying:

  1. On your computer, at the bottom of the reply box, click the Down arrow.
  2. Click Include original attachments.

To remove original attachments when replying, go to the right of the attachment, then click.

Attachments won't open or download

Important: If the sender turned on confidential mode, you won't be able to copy or download the message text and attachments. 

If attachments won't upload or download, try these steps in order:

  1. On your computer, check that you're using a supported browser.
  2. Try turning off the extensions you have on your browser one at a time.
  3. Clear your browser's cache and cookies.

Additional Information

For additional information please see: https://support.google.com/mail/answer/30719

Need additional information or assistance? Contact the ITS Service Center.

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