gmail It is undoubtedly one of the most widely used email clients in the world. Although its origins date back many years, Google has continuously evolved its email service and launched new features designed for work better from the inboxAmong these improvements, the following stand out: Gmail Add-Ons, add-ons that expand its capabilities without leaving the email itself.
Gmail Add-Ons
Inbox was one of Google's attempts to innovate in email management. Some users were very happy with its approach, although Gmail remains the client of choice. by the majority. That's why Google continues to improve it in different ways and announced the official launch of the Gmail Add-Ons, an extensibility layer that integrates into the interface to perform quick tasks without switching tabs.
These add-ons are ideal for professional users, but also for those looking for agility when working with emails, documents, appointments or customer data.
What are Add-Ons?
Add-ons are add-ons from external services These features are integrated directly into Gmail. They are activated in the sidebar or when opening/composing an email and offer a simplified interface for completing frequent actions.
Practical examples help to understand it better. With SalesforceWhen viewing an incoming email or before sending it, the add-on can display the contact information Associated with the sender/recipient, allow account creation if it doesn't exist or log activities without leaving the email. With QuickBooks is possible generate and send invoices directly from the message you are dealing with.
Other popular add-ons allow convert emails into tasks, attach documents for electronic signature, or send messages to corporate chat channels with one click.
Google Workspace Marketplace vs. Chrome Web Store
It is important to distinguish key concepts. Gmail add-ons are installed from Google Workspace Marketplace and are integrated into the server-side application (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Calendar, etc.). For its part, The Chrome Web Store hosts browser extensions These plugins modify or extend Chrome's behavior (ad blocking, writing assistants, floating panels) and, in some cases, also offer specific features for Gmail. In short: add-on = Workspace add-on; browser extension.
When and what services?
Add-ons started with a focus on developers and today They are available to all users from the Marketplace. Its usefulness depends on the ecosystem: the more providers create add-ons, the more tasks you can accomplish without leaving Gmail. It's not uncommon to see names like Salesforce, QuickBooks, Trello, Asana, Wrike, Slack or Zoom with official add-ons to streamline workflows.
Accessories not without their dangers
Just like with browser extensions, installing add-ons involves grant permissionsMany add-ons need to read metadata or content from your emails to function (for example, to identify the sender or extract amounts). Before installing, always check: who develops the add-on (preferably the official service provider), the requested permissions and comments/reviewsIf they don't inspire confidence or request more access than necessary, it's best not to install them.
Also exist browser extensions focused on Gmail with larger catalogs; however, since they don't run within Google's backend, they depend on Chrome and its permissions policy. Use discretion: install only what you really need and maintain a digital hygiene uninstalling what you don't use.
How to add add-ons to Gmail
The process is simple and is done through Gmail. right column You'll see the installed add-ons. To add a new one, press the "+" button (Get add-ons) at the bottom of the panel to open Google Workspace Marketplace.
A window will open with the catalog. Find and click on the add-on To open the app you want to install, check its description, permissions, and ratings, and click on InstallThe assistant will ask you to confirm the Google account you want to use it with, and then... accept permissions necessary with the button Allow.
Installation completed, You'll see the add-on in the right panel. from Gmail. You can open it when you read or compose an email (depending on the type of add-on) and repeat the process to install as many as you need. If you want to uninstall it later, go to its Marketplace listing and choose uninstall.
The 11 best Gmail extensions
11 Of the Gmail add-ons I've found most interesting, most are focused on productivity, but there's also room for entertainment with one that lets you add animated GIFs to your emails.
- Asana: Given that Asana notifies you of tasks and assignments via email, why not do the reverse? This official add-on lets you manage your Asana tasks directly from your Gmail.
- Trello: Do ​​you use Trello to organize yourself instead of Asana? Well, the Gmail add-ons catalog also has an official one for this service.
- Dropbox for Gmail: An application that lets you view attachments, save them to Dropbox, and share files from Dropbox.
- DocuSign: This is one of the go-to websites for signing documents, and its extension allows you to do it digitally or send documents to be signed by others.
- Boomerang: It allows you to schedule emails at specific times, as well as retrieve conversations after a certain time so you don't forget about them.
- Streak: A tool that allows you to manage your customer relationships directly from email, easily saving data about them through the emails you receive.
- MailTrack: It's email tracking software for Gmail and Inbox that lets you know if the messages you send have been read or not.
- Docsify: Another alternative for analyzing the behavior of people who receive your emails. It's geared towards marketing and allows you to see data such as clicks or how many times the recipient opens a document you send them.
- Gfycat: Okay, you might not only use email for work, and that's why you might be interested in being able to send and receive GIFs through it.
- Hire for Gmail: An add-on created by Google itself, which helps you manage the candidates you want to hire from your email.
- Egnyte for Gmail: A permission that allows you to save the attachments you receive in a personal cloud so you always have them at hand.
Highly recommendedIf your team works with meetings and messaging, try also Zoom for Gmail (schedule or start meetings from the side panel) and Slack for Gmail (Send an email or attachments to a channel or DM without leaving your inbox.) These are official and very useful add-ons for avoid changing tools continually.
Simplify the use of add-ons with specific entry points in each Google Workspace application; for example, the Gmail compose box, the Drive menu accessed by right-clicking, and the Calendar conference options.
For developers: how to create plugins
Google Workspace add-ons are developed with Script Apps and card service (CardService) to build the interface. They are configured using a manifest with specific Gmail sections (for example, home page o contextual triggersand require OAuth permissions appropriate (read the current message, run the add-in, access Sheets if data is written, etc.).
A typical architecture shows cards with fields and buttons to act on the open email (for example, extracting data from a receipt and saving it in Google SheetsThe add-ons work in desktop and mobileTherefore, the UI must be clear, fast, and secure.
If you tend to spend a lot of time in your inbox, add-ons allow you to automate repetitive tasksReduce steps and stay focused: from creating tasks or invoices to signing documents or scheduling video calls, all from Gmail.
