Updated plugin allows users to browse and insert Drive files from Microsoft Outlook

Last July, Google created a plugin that allowed Office users to open documents stored in Google Drive and automatically sync back edits. Today, while these are features that have long been part of Gmail on the web and Android, an update to the Drive plugin for Outlook will allow users to insert Drive documents into emails, save incoming attachments, and have access to other features found in Gmail.

Users will be able to easily browse their Google Drive and insert a share link to any file in an email. Additionally, you can easily upload any local document from this interface and edit a file’s sharing permissions. The plug-in will intelligently show a panel before sending an email to a recipient.

Another feature making its way to Outlook is the ability to automatically save incoming attachments to Google Drive without the need to download the file and manually upload.

The updated plug-in will be rolling out to all users within three days and supports the 2007, 2010, and 2013 Windows versions of Outlook. Office 365 subscribers who have downloaded Outlook will also be able to benefit from this plug-in.

Lately, Google has been opening up features once limited to users of their tightly integrated services. Last month, Gmailify allowed users of Outlook and other third-party email provides to have access to Gmail features like filtering, inbox organization, and Google Now cards.