1. Link on webpage that opens the file
• in Drive, get a sharable link to the file (select the file and click 'Get link' or 'Share')
• on Sites create a link
2. Embed a folder into webpage - and viewers see the files listed and can click to open them
3. Embed a view of the file directly into the webpage.

Files stored in Google Drive fall into two categories:

• Types recognized by Google Docs suite (including image and video files)
• Other types (PDF, TXT, and MS Office format files)

Google Docs Suite files (and Drive folders) are easy to embed.  

1. Select the file
• Starting with command:  Edit -> Insert -> Google Drive 
• Select the relevant application (Docs, Sheet, etc).
• In the dialog box that appears, select the desired file.


2. Adjust object settings
• Enter a title if desired (I typically have a a title appear since it can take a couple seconds for a the file to appear within the frame (and if it doesn't appear, knowing the title helps with troubleshooting).
• Adjust object's layout (size, position and wrapping).  Note this is ofter a repetitive process, first save the page to seehow it looks and then adjust for desired appearance.


3. Optional - add a link below the object
• Note: a visitor viewing an embedded object of a files has a relatively restricted experience.  This may be precisely the desired operation, but perhaps you would like the visitor to be able to open the file (folder) using Google Drive viewer - helpful for downloading, printing, and even editing if permitted.
• Use text similar to "Open <file-name> in Google Drive Viewer.
• Make the "Open <file-name> portion a link to the file.
• Note you as a site editor will see a link within the bottom of an object that you can click to open the file.  However that link only appears for site editors, not visitors.

Non-Google Files

Non-Google files can also be embedded into pages, however the process is tricky since there isn't an obvious choice in the Insert menu.

This process has been tested with these formats:

• PDF
• Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint  (.doc .docx .xls .xlsx .ppt .pptx)
• TXT

Steps:

1. Get the URL for sharing the file
• Go to Google Drive, highlight the file and select 'Share'
• In the dialog box, click the 'Get Sharable Link' button and copy the URL


2. In Google Sites, create an object that references the file
1. Select Insert -> Drive -> Video (yes, Video - it's obtuse, but it works!)
2. In the dialog box, at the bottom is a field 'Or paste web address here', paste the URL for the file and click 'Select'.
3. Another Dialog Box appears titled "Insert Google Docs Video".
4. Adjust the object properties as desired.


3. Save the page and fine tine settings - view page to check if your settings need fine tuning (particularly for size) and make adjustments.


4. Optional - add a link below the object (same as for Google files)

Samples

TBD perhaps include more imagery and considerations.