An attached file is a file that is attached to an AODocs document. Attached files can be stored in any of the compatible storage platforms. 

Learn more:

• Where is my content stored?
• What are attached files?

This article describes how to:

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Notes: 
– You're recommended to install UFO as it lets you access your non-Google files more quickly and efficiently - see Microsoft Office limitations. Learn more: What is the Universal File Opener (UFO)? 
– In AODocs, the UFO button in the top bar remains unavailable until you open a non-Google file.

Edit attached Microsoft Office files using the Google Docs editor embedded in AODocs 

1. Open a document that has an attached Microsoft Office file.

2. In the sidebar, select to edit the file in the corresponding Google editor embedded in AODocs.

Alternatively, in Document Management libraries: you can select the option in the More actions menu next to attached Microsoft Office files listed under Attached files, on the Properties tab.

3. Edit the file. The changes are saved automatically.

Note: If you can't see the Edit in Google buttons, your super administrator or library administrator may have deactivated them for your domain or in your library. If this is the case, you must use the Microsoft Office suite to edit your attached files.

Open attached Microsoft Office files from your AODocs document

Note: If you can't see the Open file in Microsoft Office buttons, your super administrator or library administrator may have removed these buttons in your library or on your domain. Learn more: Remove Open with UFO / Microsoft Office buttons for attached Microsoft files.

1. Open a document that has an attached Microsoft Office file.

2. In the sidebar, select the Open file in Microsoft Office button next to the attached file. Alternatively, in: 

• Team Folders and Secured Folders, you can click the Open file in Microsoft Office button in the action bar
  
• Document Management libraries, you can click the Open file in Microsoft Office button next to attached Microsoft Office files listed under Attached files, on the Properties tab
  

The file opens in the corresponding Microsoft Office application.

3. Edit the file and save your changes. The file is synchronized in AODocs. 

4. When you return to AODocs and open the attached file, you can see that your modifications have been saved.

Notes:
– Two users can't edit the same file at the same time. The file is automatically locked when a user opens it. If another user tries to edit the file, they will only be able to save a local copy or open it in read-only mode.
– If you keep a file open for one hour without saving it, the lock is released and another user can edit the file. You will no longer be able to edit the file again until the other user has finished editing. You can save the file locally to keep any unsaved changes.
– With the UFO installed, you can preview the lock status of attached Microsoft Office files by hovering over the Open in Microsoft Office/UFO button. Learn more: UFO: View locked files in AODocs.

Open attached Microsoft Office files from a view

Note: If you can't see the Open file in Microsoft Office buttons, your super administrator or library administrator may have removed these buttons in your library or on your domain. Learn more: Remove Open with UFO / Microsoft Office buttons for attached Microsoft files.

1. Open a view in a library using Google Drive.  

2. Select a document that has an attached Microsoft Office file.

3. If you're working in a Team Folder or Secured Folder, click the Open file in Microsoft Office button. 

If you're working in a Document Management library, open the Attached files panel and click the Open file in Microsoft Office button next to the attached Microsoft Office file you want to open. Learn more: Access attached files directly from a view.

The file is downloaded and opens locally in its software application.

If you're using UFO, an information dialog is displayed. If the file is too big or takes too long to open, you can cancel from the dialog.

Note: If you have read-only access to the file in Google Drive or AODocs, you can open the file, but any changes made and saved locally will not be uploaded back to Google Drive or AODocs.

4. Save your changes locally. Your document is synchronized in AODocs.

If you're using UFO, a message indicates that the file is being uploaded back to AODocs.

Microsoft Office limitations when editing in AODocs without UFO

You can open Microsoft Office files on your computer with AODocs only if:

• the file is a Microsoft Office Word, Excel or PowerPoint file with one of these extensions:
• Word document: docx, doc or docm
• PowerPoint document: pptx, ppt or pptm
• Excel document: xlsx, xls or xlsm
• you have Microsoft Office installed on your computer — supported versions are from Office 2010 SP2 up to the most recent version for Windows and macOS
• the name of the document doesn't exceed 250 characters
• the size of the document doesn't exceed 32 MB

Note: If you are using UFO, you must have Microsoft Office installed (any version), but none of the other limitations applies.