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Attach a file to an email message
Outlook keeps track of the files you have worked on recently and suggests them whenever you decide you want to attach a file to an email message. Some file types are blocked from being attached. See Blocked attachments in Outlook for the complete list.
- In Outlook, create a message.
Note: For an existing message, click Reply, Reply All, or Forward.
- On the ribbon, click Attach File and choose one of the following:
- Recent items
Lists the files you’ve worked on recently. They might be stored on your computer, inOneDrive, on a SharePoint site, or in a group document library. - Browse Web Locations
Locations include OneDrive, a SharePoint site, or other locations such as a groups document library that you’ve accessed before.
- Browse This PC
Opens a File Explorer window where you can choose a file from your computer.
- Recent items
Attach a file in your OneDrive (cloud only)
When you attach a file in a cloud location such as OneDrive or SharePoint, Outlook will send your recipients a link to the file. Permission to access the file is granted automatically to every recipient. This makes collaboration easy because you don’t have to worry about attachments being dropped, and you can be sure that everyone is collaborating on the same (and most up-to-date) version of the file.
- In Outlook, create a message.
Note: For an existing message, click Reply, Reply All, or Forward.
- On the ribbon, click Attach File, and choose Browse Web Locations.
- Choose OneDrive, the file you want to attach, and then choose Insert.
- In your email message, choose the down arrow for the attachment.
- Choose Change Permissions, and then choose one of the following:
- Organization can Edit if you want anyone in the organization (including those who receive the attachment as a forward) to be able to modify the file.
- Organization can view if you want anyone in your organization to be able to read, but not modify, the file.
- Recipients can Edit if you want recipients to be able to modify the file.
- Recipients can View, the default option, if you want recipients to be able to read, but not modify, the file.
If you’d prefer to send your attachment as an individual copy rather than as a link to a shared file, follow these steps:
- In Outlook, create a message.
Note: For an existing message, click Reply, Reply All, or Forward.
- On the ribbon, click Attach File, and then choose Browse Web Locations.
- Choose OneDrive, the file you want to attach, and then choose Insert.
- In your email message, choose the down arrow for the attachment, and then choose Attach as Copy
Upload a locally saved file to your OneDrive
When you attach a document that is saved on your computer and not in an online location, you also can choose to upload the document to your OneDrive before sending the email. Uploading the attachment makes collaboration easy. You don’t have to worry about attachments being dropped, and you can be sure that everyone is collaborating on the same (and most up-to-date) version of the file.
- In Outlook, create a message.
Note: For an existing message, click Reply, Reply All, or Forward.
- On the ribbon, click Attach File > Browse This PC, and choose the file you want to attach.
- In your email message, select the down arrow for the attachment.
- Choose Upload to OneDrive, and then choose the desired location for the file.
Note: You might see choices such as the OneDrive location for your work account, the OneDrive location for your personal account, and document libraries for various groups you belong to.
- In your email message, select the down arrow for the attachment again.
- Choose Change Permissions, and then choose one of the following:
- Recipients can Edit if you want recipients to be able to modify the file.
- Recipients can View, the default option, if you want recipients to be able to read, but not modify, the file.
