How to use Google Fax: Send Fax from Gmail, Drive, Docs & Sheets

In the digital era, quick and efficient communication is imperative for both businesses and individuals. Although email takes the helm for most communication, faxing continues to hold its ground. This is especially true in various industries and scenarios that demand high levels of security, confidentiality, and legal conformity. Surprisingly, faxing has transcended the need for cumbersome, costly machines and specific phone lines, all thanks to digital breakthroughs. Ever wondered how one can transmit and receive faxes via email? Keep reading as we unravel this below!

Enter the game-changing online faxing service, FaxBurner. We offer you an innovative solution to faxing, making the process a breeze! You can easily send and receive faxes on the go by downloading our free fax app for iPhone. And for those who prefer not to download an extra app, we have your back. Our free email to fax service for computer and phone ensures your faxing needs are well catered to without any additional downloads!

Fax from Gmail

To fax using Gmail, you’ll need to use a third-party fax service that integrates with Gmail. Here are the general steps to follow – we’ll use FaxBurner as an example:

1. Choose a third-party fax service and create an account using your Gmail account.
2. Create a new email in Gmail and insert send@faxburner.com as the recipient. Add the actual recipient’s fax number as the subject line. 
3. Attach the document you want to fax to the email, making sure it’s in a compatible format such as PDF or DOCX.
4. Add any additional notes or a cover sheet to the email if necessary.
5. Click “Send” to send the fax.

The fax service will then convert your email and attached document into a fax and send it to the recipient’s fax machine. You should receive a confirmation email from your fax service provider letting you know whether the fax was successful or not.

Faxing from Other Google Apps

How to Fax from Google Drive

Google Drive offers an integrated solution for storing, managing, and faxing documents. Follow these steps to send a fax from Google Drive:

1. Sign in to your Google Drive account, or create a new one if you don’t already have one.
2. Locate the document you want to fax within your Google Drive. Supported file formats may include PDF, DOC, DOCX, XLS, XLSX, PPT, PPTX, TIFF, and JPG.
3. Right-click on the document and select “Open with” from the context menu.
4. Choose your online fax service provider from the list of available applications. If your preferred fax service is not listed, you may need to install its Google Drive add-on first.
5. The online fax service interface will open, allowing you to enter the recipient’s fax number and an optional cover letter.
6. Click “Send” to submit your fax. The online fax service will convert your document into a fax format and transmit it to the recipient’s fax number.

How to Fax from Google Docs

Google Docs provides a seamless way to create, edit, and fax documents collaboratively. Follow these steps to send a fax directly from Google Docs:

1. Sign in to your Google Docs account, or create a new one if you don’t already have one.
2. Open the document you want to fax.
3. Click on “File” in the menu, then select “Send via Fax” or a similar option, depending on your chosen online fax service provider. If the option is not available, you may need to install a Google Docs add-on first.
4. The online fax service interface will open, allowing you to enter the recipient’s fax number and an optional cover letter.
5. Click “Send” to submit your fax. The online fax service will convert your document into a fax format and transmit it to the recipient’s fax number.

How to Fax from Google Sheets 

Google Sheets enables users to create, edit, and fax spreadsheets with ease. Follow these steps to send a fax directly from Google Sheets:

1. Sign in to your Google Sheets account, or create a new one if you don’t already have one.
2. Open the spreadsheet you want to fax.
3. Click on “File” in the menu, then select “Send via Fax” or a similar option, depending on which online fax service provider you chose. If the option is not available, you may need to install the appropriate Google Sheets add-on first.
4. The online fax service interface will open, allowing you to enter information such as the recipient’s fax number and an optional cover letter.
5. Click “Send” to submit your fax. The online fax service will convert your spreadsheet into a fax format and transmit it to the recipient’s fax number.

Is There Another Way to Send Faxes via Google Workspace? 

You can still fax from Google Drive & Docs, even if your online fax service provider doesn’t have a dedicated Google Drive, Sheets or Drive add-on. You will need to do it a little bit differently, though, converting the document or sheet you want to send into an appropriate format first, and then following the same steps we mentioned in the “how to fax from Gmail” section. 

The Bottom Line

Online faxing has become the way to go for many businesses that either don’t have the funds or space to use a traditional fax machine, or simply want the convenience that comes with having the chance to send and receive faxes from wherever you are. 
By following the step-by-step guide outlined in this article, users can now send faxes with ease from their preferred Google applications. Using a third-party online faxing provider makes the whole process easier than ever before. So, what are you waiting for? Download FaxBurner today, create a free account, and enjoy the possibilities online faxing offers.