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When I send a Google Drive file as attachment, the file does get sent, but the mail doesn't appear in Gmail's Sent Items folder.

Repro:

  • Google Drive => Right-click on a document => Share... => Email as attachment...
    • I'm aware of Email Collaborators..., but that only works when everyone else uses Gmail.
  • Complete To. Subject, Message, don't check "Send a copy to myself", hit Send
  • Check with the recipient - he gets the mail with the attachment fine.
  • Expected: Mail should appear in Sent Items
  • Actual: Mail doesn't appear there, or anywhere else in Gmail.

Details:

  • When sending/replying directly from Gmail (not Google Drive), mails do appear in Sent Items.
  • I noticed that the recipient gets this mail with my name as Jonathan Barner (Google Drive), rather than just Jonathan Barner - maybe that's related.
  • I've disabled conversation display in Gmail.
  • Using Gmail web interface, on Windows 8.1 and Chrome 34.0.1847.116 m.
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Google Drive is not an email client. It's not intended to be and thus, you will not see files being "sent". This is intended.

Google Drive lets you share your files and folders with exactly whom you want at whatever level of access you choose.

  • Collaborate in real time with colleagues, classmates, or friends
  • Stop sending email attachments and start sharing
  • Control who sees and edits your files with visibility options and access levels
  • Easily share your work with lots of people

This appears to be a feature and not a bug.

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  • IMO, Email as attachment... is more like "half-hearted feature". If Google Drive wants to divert people from sending attachments, it should not offer this at all. Also, sharing would not work for my intended use - sending Resumes to less-technological people who may or may not have a Google account.
    – Jonathan
    Apr 22, 2014 at 17:31
  • I don't think that they are attempting to divert so much as they are attempting to workaround the inherent limitations of email as a form of communication, attachment size and collaboration being two of the largest. If you ever find yourself emailing a document being worked on by two or more persons, then you know what can if a headache that can be. There should be a permanent link available when sharing that doesn't require the user to have a Google Account. Are you having a different experience?
    – dmcgill50
    May 1, 2014 at 19:02

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