Attach PDF (or any document) to email.

That is a good workaround if you trust Apple with your data. After 25 years of working with Apple, I prefer to not give them too much control of my work product. In other words, icloud isn't reliable.

4 years later on this thread to accomplish a routine task and we're stuck with a workaround?? I am a new Apple user with an iPad Pro, which I was promised would function like an actual machine and not a toy...

I am trying to reply to a Gmail email with a .pdf attachment from either Google Drive or Dropbox. First, when I search for attachment files from the Inbox App, all I have access to are pictures on my device - Not acceptable! Then, when I try from Gmail.com, I finally find the files in Dropbox and they're Grey! It won't let me attach them!

Is this for real? Pro means professional, but I guess I bought a $1,200 toy after all?...

You can attach any file that is stored in iCloud Drive directly from email. Hold your finger on the screen until a menu pops up, then scroll right to left and you will find Add Attachment (past the Photos and Videos selection).

For files in Dropbox (or other apps that don't use iCloud) you must select the file in the Dropbox app, tap on the Share icon, and choose mail. It works this way because of the "sandbox" security structure of iOS. An application can only access its own data, not another application's data. So to share data you must open the application that "owns" the data and export it, rather than having an external app import it.

I have a MacBook Pro. In my email, I I see the "attach" icon, however, when I attach a document is adds the entire document as a doc to be read when opening the email. How can I get a file to attach as an icon and not a written document?

Apple handles "attachments" differently to Windows - simply put, the attachments on Apple Mail go where the icon is. If there is many pages or the attachment is large, then it appears as just the icon.

First, you are responding to a message posted 7 months ago. Second, the OP already explained why your solution won't work.

The OP wants to attach a PDF to a REPLY in the mail app. How do you do that with iBooks?

I have done that already, several times. It's basically a black hole, but I submit there.

doug

But you do admit it makes work flow cumbersome from an iOS device, right?

doug

Seriously, if the iPhone doesn't meet your needs, you should give some thought to switiching to an Android. I have a Samsung Galaxy S3 for work and it's a very, very nice phone.

see above...

Solved the problem - got the BBry Z10

This solution only works with gmail and iCloud.

you can attach file to new message but cannot do it when reply - so securing the filesystem is not the reason

You can attach a photo or video to an email when sending a new message, and also when replying to a message. At least I can. I'm quite surprised that you can't.