How to search, browse and drag & drop files to your email without ever leaving Outlook

Attaching files in Outlook sounds easy right?  Unfortunately, it can be trickier than it seems, and often leads to frustrating delays. Finding what you need means switching between windows, searching for the files on your computer, DAM or other cloud storage and then struggling to get them into your email. 

However, CI HUB makes it simple to search, browse, and attach files into Outlook emails. In this video, you will learn how to use the CI HUB add-in for Outlook to easily access and attach files from multiple systems.

Drag & Drop In Email Without Leaving Outlook

For more efficient email workflow within Outlook, integrate the CI HUB add-in and experience the power of seamless drag-and-drop file attachments. Simply follow these steps.

Step 1: Install CI Hub Add-in

Follow the steps below to install the CI HUB add-in to your device.

• Open the Microsoft AppSource or Outlook’s add-in store.
• Search for “CI HUB.”
• Find the CI HUB add-in and click “Add.”
• Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
• Once installed, launch CI HUB in the Outlook email composition window. It can be a button or icon within the ribbon menu.
• You will be requested to authenticate the add-in with your CI HUB account. 
• Enter your login credentials to grant CI HUB access to its full functionality in your connected systems.

Step 2: Search And Browse Systems

To access the CI HUB add-in within Outlook, follow the steps given below.

• Open Outlook and compose a new mail.
• In the quick access toolbar or ribbon menu, you will find the icon with text saying “CI HUB” or its logo.
• Once you’ve located the CI HUB icon, click on it. Depending on the Outlook version, the CI HUB panel might appear on the side of the email composition window, at the bottom, or even as a pop-up window.
• You will see various options/features or a list of your connected systems. This could include your Digital Asset Management (DAM) system, cloud storage providers, or any other repository.
• Click on the desired system, and all assets stored in that system will be displayed.
• You can also search for the specific image or document by typing relevant keywords related to the assets you need.
• Once you find the desired asset through search, click on it for further use.

Step 3: Drag And Drop Attachments

Once you’ve located the required file, the process is easy.

• Simply click and hold the file within the CI HUB panel.
• Drag the file over to your email composition window.
• Release the mouse button to drop the file as an attachment.

Step 4: Resize Large Files

If you want to send a large file that might exceed email size limits, CI HUB offers a handy solution.

• Locate the file within CI HUB.
• Look for a “Resize” option or a similar button next to the file.
• If a lower resolution is available, select it. CI HUB will automatically attach this smaller version, ensuring your email stays within size constraints.

Step 5: Include IPTC Content

For files containing valuable metadata like copyright information or keywords known as IPTC (International Press Telecommunications Council) data, CI HUB allows you to include this information in your email.

• Locate the file's IPTC data within the CI HUB panel.
• Click and hold the specific IPTC data point you want to include.
• Drag and drop the data point over to your email composition window.

To get this, you have to get a subscription that starts at 99 cents per month.

Step 6: Review And Send

Before hitting send, take a moment to review your email.

• Ensure the attached files are correct.
• Verify the email content and see that it looks good.
• Double-check the email recipient and subject lines.
• Once everything is reviewed and checked thoroughly, click “Send.”

Conclusion

This explanation covered how CI HUB handles the file attachments in Outlook. Without wasting time switching between applications or searching your local drives, you can now effortlessly search and browse a wide range of files directly from Outlook with CI HUB. Following these steps, you can utilize the CI HUB add-in for Outlook to streamline your workflow and efficiently integrate assets from different systems without ever leaving Outlook. 

The CI HUB add-in for Outlook connects to nearly 50 leading systems, including DAM, cloud storage, and a wide range of other supported systems. This allows you to access and manage files directly from your email application, saving you time and effort.