File Attachments

How do I add file attachments to my mail merge?

This article describes how to add file attachments to merged emails, by using static or personalized file link attachments, or by creating personalized PDF file attachments.

Option A: Static File Link Attachments

Step 1

In Google Drive, add your attachment/file (if not already there) by clicking New > File Upload.

Step 2

Right click the file in Google Drive and click Get Link.

Step 3

Click Copy Link to copy the link in the dialog box.

Step 4

In your merge template, highlight the text that you want to link to your attachment.

Step 5

Open the Link option:

  • In Google Docs, right click on the highlighted text and click Link.

  • In Google Sheets, Slides and Forms, click the Link button.

Google Docs

Google Sheets, Slides & Forms

Step 6

Paste the link previously copied from Google Drive in the box provided.

Step 7

Confirm insertion of the link:

  • In Google Docs, click Apply.

  • In Google Sheets, Slides and Forms, click Insert Link.

Google Docs

Google Sheets, Slides & Forms

Option B: Personalized File Link Attachments

Option B can be used to send a personalized file link attachment to each recipient using hyperlinks.

Instructions for how to mail merge with attachments can be found in this article.

Option C: Personalized PDF File Attachments

From the Google Docs & Google Slides Add-ons Only

Option C can be used to create a personalized PDF file attachment for each data row. With this option you can personalize both the file attachment and the email body for each recipient using your *|merge fields|*.

Instructions for Google Docs can be found in this article.

Instructions for Google Slides can be found in this article.

File Link Attachment Overview

Applicable to Options A & B

Advantages of a File Link Attachment Over a Traditional File Attachment

    • You can change/revoke access to your attachments after emails have been sent.

    • You can password protect your attachments.

    • Shared links are an environmentally friendly option as you significantly reduce your data storage footprint. For example, a 2 MB attached file sent to 100 email addresses would consume 200 MB of data storage, whereas a shared link would consume next to nothing.

    • Spam filters can't block your emails due to attached content as your emails only contain links to attachments.

How a File Link Attachment Will Appear in Gmail

Email Template

Link to any Google Drive file

Merged Email

Links to Google Drive files are automatically shown as attachments