Google file attachments: limitations

Attachments are files that are attached to AODocs documents. Attachments are stored in Google Drive and are owned by the storage account of your library. Learn more: What are attachments? 

There are some minor limitations when working with Google file attachments (Docs, Sheet, Slides, Drawings and Forms) in the AODocs document editor, in all types of library. 

Embedded Google file attachments in the AODocs document editor
 Limitations with Google file attachments
 Features with specific behavior in the AODocs document editor
 Change of ownership: Google Apps Script
 Google Spreadsheets linked to Google Forms


Embedded Google file attachments in the AODocs document editor

When you open any type of attachment in AODocs, it is displayed in the AODocs document editor in an iframe, under the AODocs header. 

There are some minor limitations when working with Google file attachments in the AODocs document editor. If you open your document in a new tab, most of the limitations no longer apply. In addition, you can access many of the limited features directly from the AODocs header. 

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Limitations with Google file attachments

Share a file

The Share button is grayed out and isn't available in the AODocs document editor. To manage sharing permissions, use the Edit document or folder permissions button in the AODocs headerLearn more: What are permissions in AODocs?

 

Delete a file

The File > Move to trash option is grayed out and isn't available in the AODocs document editor. To delete a document from your library, open the More actions menu in the AODocs header and select Delete.

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Email feature

The options Email as attachment... and Email collaborators... are grayed out and aren't available in the AODocs document editor. Open the attachment in a new tab to bypass this limitation.

 

Publish to the web

The File > Publish to the Web option is grayed out. It isn't available in the AODocs document editor because only the owner of a document can publish to the web in Google Drive.

To publish a document, use the Publish to the web or Publish to the domain option in the AODocs More actions menu.

Notes: 
– The Publish... options are available only in Team Folders and Security Folders. They aren't available in Document Management libraries.
– Only library administrators can access the Publish... options.

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Insert or replace images and videos

The Insert > Image option isn't available in the AODocs document editor. Open the attachment in a new tab to bypass this limitation.

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Limitations in Google Sheets

Import and Print options:
In Google Sheets, the File > Import and the File > Print options aren't available in the AODocs document editor. Open the attachment in a new tab to bypass this limitation.

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Protected cells
In an AODocs document with a Google sheet attachment in which there are protected cells, only the user who checked out the document can modify the protected cells. Other users with edit permissions on the protected cells can't edit the protected cells, but can edit the rest of the spreadsheet.

Learn more: Force check-out / check-in when editing documents.

 

Limitations in Google Slides

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Suggestions in Google file attachments 

When you add suggestions in Google file attachments in the AODocs document editor, they don't have the Accept and Reject buttons. Open the attachment in a new tab to bypass this limitation.

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Add-ons using a side panel

Add-ons that use a side panel, such as the Google Docs Table of contents add-on, don't work in the AODocs document editor. Open the attachment in a new tab to bypass this limitation.

 


Features with specific behavior in the AODocs editor

Create a new file

When you select File > New in a Google file attachment in the AODocs document editor, a new tab opens with a new Google file, which you can name and modify. However, the new file is created in your My Drive and isn't managed by AODocs. You can move or import the file into AODocs.

To create a new document in the same AODocs folder, press the New button in the AODocs header.

Make a copy

When you select File > Make a Copy in a Google file attachment in the AODocs document editor, a copy of the document is created and opens in a new tab. However, the copy is located in your My Drive and isn't managed by AODocs. You can move or import the file into AODocs.

To copy an attachment from the AODocs document editor, open the More actions menu in the AODocs header and select  Copy document. This copies all the attachments and properties of the AODocs document, if they exist.

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Change of ownership: Google Apps Script

In Google Drive, you can create an Apps Script attached to a Google file, such as Google Docs or Sheets. When users create and then import these files into AODocs, the following features are unavailable:

  • Publish as a web app
  • Deploy as an Add-on

These features can be performed only by the script owner: the storage account.

Tips: We recommend using separate App Script files instead of an attached Apps Script.


Google Spreadsheets linked to Google Forms

When working with Google Forms, you have the possibility to select a Google Spreadsheet as the destination of the responses of the form.

Once selected, the spreadsheet and the form are linked (through their unique ID).

Important: If spreadsheets linked to a form are imported into AODocs, you should not use the check-out / check-in feature or revert to an older version, since doing so generates a copy of the destination spreadsheet. This copy of the spreadsheet is no longer linked to the form (since it has a different ID). Learn more: Understand the AODocs version control system

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