Embedded or Inline Images Disappear from Emails Added via Outlook or Gmail Integration in Salesforce

When emails with embedded or inline images are added from Outlook or Gmail to Salesforce, Salesforce saves the images as separate attachments rather than displaying them inline in the email body. The type of attachment depends on the integration method used.

Scenario 1: Outlook Integration or Gmail Integration (with Enhanced Email enabled)

When you use Outlook Integration, Outlook Integration with Inbox, Gmail Integration, or Gmail Integration with Inbox to add an email to Salesforce, the inline images are saved as Salesforce Files (Content Documents) in the Attachments related list of the email message record. The images are accessible from the related list but do not display inline in the email body.

Scenario 2: Salesforce for Outlook (SFO) Side Panel or Inbox App (iOS/Android)

When you add emails with inline attachments using the Salesforce for Outlook (SFO) side panel or the Inbox app for iOS and Android, the email is saved in Salesforce as a Task record (not an Email Message record). In this case, the inline images are saved as Salesforce Attachments (not Salesforce Files) on the Task record.

Scenario 3: Enhanced Email Disabled

The same behavior described in Scenario 1 (images saved as separate Salesforce Files) also occurs if you disable Enhanced Email in your Salesforce organization and use Outlook Integration, Outlook Integration with Inbox, Gmail Integration, or Gmail Integration with Inbox.
Note: Enhanced Email is the feature that allows emails to be stored as Email Message records rather than Task records. If Enhanced Email is disabled, all integrations save emails as Task records with Salesforce Attachments.