Send & share files in Google Chat messages

You can attach files up to 200 MB from your computer, mobile device, or Google Drive directly to Google Chat messages.

In spaces, you can view a list of files shared with the space, open files, and add them to Drive.

Supported image files:

• BMP
• GIF
• JPEG
• PNG
• WBMP
• HEIC

You can’t send certain files. Read File types blocked in Chat below. 

Send files in a chat message

1. On your computer, open Google Chat or Gmail.
   • In Gmail: On the left, click Chat.
2. Open a conversation.
3. Enter your message and choose an option:

Add an emoji	Click Emoji .
Send a GIF	Click GIF . If you use Google Chat on a work or school account, you may not have the option to send a GIF.
Attach a file from your computer	Click Upload file . The file is not added to Drive. Other users get the file directly in the message.
Add a link to a video meeting	Click Add video meeting .
Attach a Drive file	Click Integration menu Drive . When you send the file, you’re notified if someone needs access. With edit access, you have an option to grant access. If you grant access to a conversation or space, people who join the space later also have access. If people leave the space, they lose access to the file unless they’re given access individually or through a group.
Create a Google Calendar invite	Click Integration menu Calendar invite .

4. Click Send .

Insert files from Drive in a chat message

To add files from Drive in your message, add "@" followed by the name of your file.

1. In the reply area of the conversation, type “@.”
   • To search for more related files, you can enter the filename or related keywords after “@.”
2. Under “Files,” select from the list of suggestions.
3. Click Send .
   • When you send the file, you’re notified if someone needs access.
4. Select the type of access.
   • Optional: To share access to the file with others, refer to the section To attach a Drive file.

Tip: You can find file suggestions you have access to from your Drive.

Manage files, links & media in conversations & spaces

In 1:1 conversations, group conversations, and spaces, you can find a list of shared files, links, and media. You can open a file and add a file to Drive.

• If you delete a chat message with a shared file, it's also deleted from the conversation or space.
• If you delete a file in Drive, the file link remains in the conversation or space until you delete it from the chat message.
• When you delete the file from the chat message, the file link is removed from the chat and the “Shared” tab of the conversation or space.

1. On your computer, open Google Chat.
2. Select a conversation or space.
3. At the top, click the Shared tab.
   • Tip: In Gmail, you might have to expand the space to view the Shared tab.
4. In the "Shared" tab, sort files by Category or Date shared.
   • Sort by category: Organizes the Shared tab into separate sections for files, links, and media.
   • Sort by date shared: Shows files, links, and media in a list organized by date.
5. To open the file, click the name of the file.
   • Google files: File opens in the chat window, next to the conversation, or opens in a new browser tab.
   • Other types of files: File opens as a preview in full screen. Files not in Drive will download, except PDF and video files, which open in a new browser tab.

Optional: To view or save a file, next to the file, click:

• : Adds a shortcut to Drive
• : Opens the chat message that shared the file

Tip: If you can’t add files to Drive and you use a Google Workspace account, contact your administrator.

Remove a file from a conversation or space

Important: To remove a file from a conversation or space, you must use a Google Workspace account.

1. On your computer, open Google Chat.
2. Select a conversation or space.
3. At the top, click the Shared tab. Next to the file, click View in chat .
4. Hover over the message with the file.
5. Click More actions Delete Delete.

Tips:

• If you delete a file in Drive, the file link remains in the conversation or space until you delete it from the chat message.
  • If you don't delete it from the chat, the file link will show a "File in Trash" message when you select it.
  • If you don't delete it from the chat and Drive trash is emptied, you won't be able to open the file from the file link.
• When you delete the file from the chat message, the file link is removed from chat and the "Shared" tab of the conversation or space.

Collaborate on Google Docs & Sheets

Important:

• To work with comments or use other features from Docs or Sheets, open the file in a new tab.
• If your chat window is not in full screen, click Open chat in full screen .

You can collaborate on shared Google Docs and Sheets with people directly in a conversation or space. Next to the conversation, the document or spreadsheet opens in the chat window, where you can chat while you collaborate on the file together. You can edit, format, share, and rename the document or spreadsheet without leaving Gmail or Google Chat.

1. On your computer, open Google Chat.
2. In Chat, select a conversation or space.
   • To open an already shared document, point to it in the chat, then click Open in chat . The document opens to the right where you can make edits directly without changing tabs.
   • To create a shared document within a space, in the reply area of the "Chat" tab, click Action menu Google Docs .
3. At the top right, click Close .
4. Optional: To open the document in a new browser tab, at the top right of the conversation preview, click Open in a new tab .

Tips:

• If you can't add documents and you use a Google Workspace account, contact your administrator.
• You can collaborate on existing Google Docs and Sheets in 1:1 messages.

File types blocked in Google Chat

There are several reasons why you might get an upload error in Google Chat. Chat blocks files or links that might spread viruses, such as executable files. To keep up with harmful software, Chat regularly updates the file types that aren’t allowed.

You can’t attach certain types of files. These include:

• ADE, ADP, APK, BAT, CAB, CHM, CMD, COM, CPL, DLL, DMG, EXE, HTA, INS, ISP, JAR, JS, JSE, LIB, LNK, MDE, MSC, MSI, MSP, MST, NSH, PIF, SCR, SCT, SHB, SYS, VB, VBE, VBS, VXD, WSC, WSF, and WSH.
  This list includes any compressed form, such as GZ or BZ2 files, or files found in archives, such as ZIP or TGZ files.
• Documents with malicious macros.
• Password-protected archives whose content is an archive.

If a blocked file isn't listed above and you're sure the blocked file is safe, upload the file to Drive and then send the file as a Drive attachment.