As announced some time ago, Microsoft has one again introduced a new “simple” feature on Outlook Web Access hosted on Office 365.
This new feature now allows you not to send an attachment but a link to your OneDrive for Business space where the attachment is stored.
There is nothing to do your side – except wait for the deployment of this feature on your tenant.
Then, you only have to logon to your Exchange Online mailbox using Outlook Web Access (OWA) at https://outlook.office365.com, create a new email and add an attachment using the Attachments or OneDrive files menu as shown below
Choosing the OneDrive option opens a new window to let you choose the document to attach from your OneDrive – NOTE you can only select ONE file at a time
There is 4 locations displayed:
- Recent allows you to find all recent (uploaded/updated) document wherever they are located in SharePoint Online – including site collections “outside” of your OneDrive for Business space
- My Files allows you to find documents stored on your OneDrive for Business space
- Shared with me finds all documents you have access either directly (you are the owner – OneDrive, site collections…) or you have been granted access to
- Computer allows you to locate a file from your client and upload it on your OneDrive for Business space
If you choose Computer, you will be asked if you want to upload on OneDrive for Business or attach it as a classic attachment
When you choose Upload and Share with OneDrive, a new folder is automatically created (the first time) on your OneDrive for Business space called Email attachments where all uploaded attachments will be located
NOTE To and CC recipients are getting automatically permission to read and edit the attachment stored on your OneDrive. You can change the permission to restrict to read only using the menu
Here is what the recipient will receive – as you can see there is NO more attachment but instead a link to your OneDrive
This new way to send attachment is ONLY available from OWA using a web browser or using OWA apps for Android or iPhone.
NOTE this feature was in someway already available BUT you were obliged to install an Outlook App from the Office Store, as shown below
