Handling large email attachments is now much easier for Microsoft Office 365 customers, thanks to improved integration between Outlook Web App (OWA) and OneDrive for Business.

Saving attachments from OWA

Files received in an email can now be saved direct from webmail to a special email attachments folder in OneDrive for Business. From that folder users can then move to file to their preferred location.

Sending large attachments as links

The standard organisation policy on Office is to prevent the sending of attachments above 112MB from OWA (Outlook has a limit of 150MB and Microsoft is planning on raising the limits in coming months). If a webmail user tries to send a file larger than this OWA now greys out the Send as Attachment button and instead gives the option of uploading the file to OneDrive for Business and sharing via an email link.

Sharing via links is good practice even for smaller files as sending large files adds to network congestion, can be impossible to download on mobile or other devices, and means the receiver always has the latest version of the document – including any amendments.

This new integration is available now for Office 365 Business Premium customers, and those using other Office 365 plans that include OneDrive for Business and Exchange Online.