Google Adds Docs Preview To GmailGoogle Adds Docs Preview To Gmail

Gmail users can take advantage of Gmail Labs to preview things such as YouTube videos and Picasa Web albums without leaving their Gmail inboxes. Now, users can do the same with Google Docs.The ability to watch YouTube videos or view Picasa Web albums directly within Gmail has become one of my favorite features. No more clicking on a link and being taken to an external site. Everything can be viewed from the comfort of my inbox, where I like to hang out.

I do the bulk of my writing within Google Docs. I often share Docs with colleagues via the tools already available in Docs, and they share with me, too.

With the new Google Docs Preview Lab enabled, Gmail users will be able to see, well, a preview of any attached Docs, Spreadsheets or Presentations. Simply click on the "show preview" link and the document's contents will be displayed right there.

If you need to just glance at something to make a quick assessment, this offers a nice, tidy way to do it without first downloading the document or opening up a separate tab/windows in which to view it.