How to Fax a File from Google Drive
Right-click a PDF, Word document, or image in Google Drive and choose Open with → OneFaxNow. Add more files, choose Standard or HIPAA fax, and review the prepared pages and price before you pay. No subscription.
How Google Drive faxing works
Google Drive stores your files; OneFaxNow sends the fax. The Drive integration opens your selected file in a OneFaxNow browser tab, where you choose the fax type and review the document before payment.
Install OneFaxNow once for the Google account that holds your files. Google may ask for authorization when you first import a file. OneFaxNow accesses the files you select; it does not request access to your whole Drive.
Prefer to upload a file yourself? Download it from Drive and use OneFaxNow.com. This browser upload option works without installing the Drive integration.
Google Drive vs. Google Docs — Which Guide Do You Need?
Users often confuse Google Drive (storage) with Google Docs (editor). The faxing workflow is different for each.
Google Drive
Your file is already stored in Drive as a PDF, Word document, photo, or other format. Open the file with OneFaxNow to import it without downloading a copy to your device.
Accepted directly:
PDF, DOC, DOCX, JPG, PNG, TIFF, TXT
3 steps — open, prepare, review and send
Google Docs
Your content lives in the Google Docs editor (.gdoc format). You need to export it as PDF first (File > Download > PDF), then upload the PDF.
Requires PDF export:
.gdoc, .gsheet, .gslide formats
4 steps — open editor, export PDF, upload, send
See the Google Docs guideWhat you'll need
Google Drive file
PDF, DOCX, JPG, PNG, or other
Browser or phone
Any device with internet
Fax number
U.S. or Canada number
Payment
Card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay
How to fax from Google Drive in 3 steps
1. Install OneFaxNow and open your file
Install OneFaxNow from Google Workspace Marketplace using the Google account that contains your files. Installation is free.
In Google Drive on your computer, right-click one supported file and select Open with → OneFaxNow. Your fax draft opens in a new tab.
A work or school account may need administrator approval. Native Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides files need PDF export first; PDFs and supported Word or image files can be imported directly.
2. Choose your fax type and add documents
Choose Standard fax or HIPAA fax with BAA. For HIPAA, review and accept the BAA before your file imports. Allow the requested Google access if prompted, then wait for the file to appear in your draft.
Use Add from Google Drive to select more files without returning to Drive, or Upload from device for local documents. Reorder the files and add an optional cover page. The Drive flow allows up to 15 files, 50 pages including the cover, and 20 MB per Drive file.
Enter the recipient's U.S. or Canadian fax number and your email for confirmation. To change Standard/HIPAA mode after importing, start a new selection from Drive.
3. Review, pay, and track delivery
Select Review details. Check the prepared fax pages, their order, the destination number, and the price. Use Back to edit if you need to make changes.
Standard fax
$3.50 for 1–10 pages; $5.00 for 11–50 pages
HIPAA fax with BAA
$6.50 for 1–10 pages; $10.00 for 11–50 pages
Prices are USD before applicable tax. Check the final total at checkout before authorizing payment. A temporary authorization may appear on your card; OneFaxNow charges it only after successful delivery.
Follow transmission progress on the status page. You receive an email confirmation when the fax is delivered. Delivery time depends on the page count and the receiving fax system.
Which Files Can You Fax from Google Drive?
Google Drive stores over 100 file types. Here is how each one works with OneFaxNow.
Import Directly (OneFaxNow Prepares the Fax)
Scanned documents, forms, contracts. Import directly from Drive.
DOC / DOCX
Microsoft Word documents. OneFaxNow converts them automatically.
JPG / PNG
Photos of documents, receipts, signed forms. Upload as-is.
TIFF
Scanned documents from offices and copiers. Native fax format.
TXT
Plain text files. OneFaxNow renders them for faxing.
Export to PDF First
Google Docs
Right-click in Drive > Download (auto-converts to DOCX), or open and use File > Download > PDF.
Google Sheets
Open in Sheets > File > Download > PDF. Set print area for best results.
Google Slides
Open in Slides > File > Download > PDF. Each slide becomes one fax page.
For detailed Google Docs export instructions, see our Google Docs fax guide.
Not Directly Faxable
XLSX / PPTX
Save as PDF first (open in Sheets/Slides or use File > Download > PDF).
HEIC / HEIF
iPhone photo format. Convert to JPG before uploading.
ZIP / RAR
Archives must be extracted first. Fax the individual files inside.
Documents People Commonly Fax from Google Drive
Open these supported documents with OneFaxNow, then review the prepared pages before sending.
Signed Contracts & Agreements
Lease agreements, NDAs, service contracts. Open the signed PDF with OneFaxNow.
Tax Forms (W-2, 1099, W-4)
Payroll and tax documents saved from employer portals. Confirm the recipient accepts the specific form by fax before sending.
Medical Records & Insurance
Health records, prior authorizations, claim forms. Use HIPAA mode ($6.50) for PHI protection.
Government Forms
FOIA requests, DMV forms, Social Security paperwork. Already a PDF in Drive? Open it with OneFaxNow.
Photos of Documents
Receipts, handwritten notes, ID copies taken with your phone camera and backed up to Drive.
Employment Paperwork
I-9, W-4, direct deposit forms, background check authorizations saved by HR.
Your file is in Drive. Your fax is 3 steps away.
Open with OneFaxNow, add your documents, and review before paying. Standard fax starts at $3.50 before applicable tax.
Fax from Drive without installing an app
You can still use the ordinary browser upload flow. This is useful when your organization restricts Marketplace installations or you are working on a phone.
- Download the supported file from Drive to your device. Export a Google Doc, Sheet, or Slide deck as PDF first.
- Open Standard fax or HIPAA fax and choose the file.
- Enter the recipient and your email, review the prepared pages, and continue to checkout.
File access and download restrictions still apply. Installing a fax app does not override the file owner's permissions.
Fax from Google Drive on Your Phone
The Google Drive mobile app makes it easy to download files directly to your phone for faxing.
iPhone / iPad
- 1Open the Google Drive app and find your file
- 2Tap the three-dot menu (…) next to the file name
- 3Tap "Open in" or "Send a copy" and save to your Files app
- 4Open OneFaxNow.com in Safari (or the OneFaxNow app) and upload the file
- 5Enter the fax number, pay, and send
Android
- 1Open the Google Drive app and find your file
- 2Tap the three-dot menu next to the file name
- 3Tap "Download" — the file saves to your Downloads folder
- 4Open OneFaxNow.com in Chrome (or the OneFaxNow app) and upload the file
- 5Enter the fax number, pay, and send
HIPAA-Compliant Faxing for Files in Google Drive
If you store medical records, insurance forms, or other Protected Health Information (PHI) in Google Drive, you need a HIPAA-compliant fax service to transmit them.
Google Workspace (paid Business and Enterprise plans) can be configured for HIPAA compliance with a BAA from Google. But Google Drive storage is only half the equation — the fax transmission itself must also be HIPAA-compliant.
OneFaxNow HIPAA mode includes a Business Associate Agreement (BAA), downloadable audit logs, and automatic document cleanup. In the Drive flow, select HIPAA fax with BAA and accept the agreement before the file imports. Your organization's Google Workspace setup and agreements remain separate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Google Drive send a fax?
Google Drive has no built-in fax service. Install OneFaxNow from Google Workspace Marketplace, then right-click a supported file in Drive and choose Open with → OneFaxNow. You review and pay for the fax on OneFaxNow.
Do I need an account or subscription?
You use your Google account to install OneFaxNow and authorize access to selected Drive files. You do not need a separate OneFaxNow account or a subscription. Installation is free; sending a fax has a one-time charge.
Can I add more files without returning to Drive?
Yes. Once the first file has imported, choose Add from Google Drive to select more files, or Upload from device for local files. You can combine up to 15 files and 50 pages, including a cover page, in the Drive fax flow. Each Drive file must be 20 MB or smaller.
Can I fax Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides directly?
Native Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides files are not supported by this integration. Open the document and choose File → Download → PDF. Upload that PDF to OneFaxNow, or save it in Drive and open the PDF with OneFaxNow. Preview spreadsheet page breaks before sending.
What file types can I fax from Google Drive?
PDF, DOC, DOCX, TXT, JPG/JPEG, PNG, and TIF/TIFF files are supported. Export other formats to PDF first. Password-protected PDFs must be unlocked before import.
Can OneFaxNow access my whole Google Drive?
OneFaxNow uses access to the files you choose through Open with or the Google file picker, rather than requesting access to your whole Drive. Google may ask you to choose an account or approve permissions; an existing grant can be reused.
How do I choose a HIPAA fax with a BAA?
After opening the file with OneFaxNow, choose HIPAA fax with BAA and review and accept the BAA before the file imports. Standard fax is the other option. To change fax type after import, start a new selection from Drive.
How much does faxing from Google Drive cost?
Standard fax is $3.50 for 1–10 pages or $5.00 for 11–50 pages. HIPAA fax with a BAA is $6.50 for 1–10 pages or $10.00 for 11–50 pages. Prices are USD before applicable tax. Review the prepared pages and final checkout total before paying. Your card is authorized first and charged only after successful delivery.
What if OneFaxNow is missing from Open with?
Check that OneFaxNow is installed for the Google account you are using and that the selected file is a supported format. A work or school account may restrict app installation or file downloads. You can also download an allowed file and upload it directly to OneFaxNow.
Related Guides
Fax from Google Docs
Export a Google Doc, Sheet, or Slides file as PDF and fax it
Fax a PDF
Step-by-step guide for faxing any PDF document online
Fax a Word Document
Upload a DOCX file directly — no printing or conversion
Fax an Excel Spreadsheet
Save as PDF and fax with formatting tips for wide data
Does Google Have a Fax Service?
The full breakdown of Google's fax capabilities
Ready to Fax Your Google Drive File?
Install OneFaxNow, open your supported Drive file, and review every prepared page before paying. No OneFaxNow account or subscription required.