How to use Google Drive with Slack by connecting your accounts to send files

Slack has quickly become a preferred tool for workers looking to collaborate over distance or even just from remote home offices. 

People have been sharing files over Google Drive for years, however. For that reason, Google Drive and Slack are a pretty perfect union. 

You can send Google Drive files to your Slack team, or attach files directly from Google Drive in a message, once your accounts are linked.

Here's how to do it. 

How to use Google Drive with Slack

1. Open Google Drive on your Mac or PC. 

2. Open any file and then click the blue "Share" button in the top-right, and then "Get shareable link."

3. Paste that shareable link in a message in a Slack group.

4. A Slackbot message will show up identifying it as a Google Drive link and asking if you want to connect Google Drive to Slack. Click the "Connect" button.

5. A pop-up with your Google account will ask if you want to allow Slack to access it. Click on "Yes," then "Allow."

6. Next, you will be taken back to your Slack page where it will say that Google Drive is asking permission to access Slack.

7. Scroll down and click on "Allow" again.

8. Once you have connected both Slack and Google Drive, the Google Drive app will be available in your side toolbar in Slack. 

9. When you click on the paperclip icon in any Slack messages going forward, you will be asked if you want to attach a file from your Google Drive. Clicking on that will pull up your Google Drive folders and allow you to attach files directly.

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