How to Forward an Email as an Attachment in Outlook

Forwarding attached emails and how to set this as a default in Outlook

What to Know

  • Outlook 2010 and up: Go to the Home tab > More Respond Actions > Forward as Attachment.
  • Forwarding includes everything from the full email, such as the header and routing information.
  • Instructions differ for Outlook 2007 and earlier and Outlook.com.

This article explains how to forward an email as an attachment in Outlook 2007 to 2019 and Outlook.com. It also explains how to set all forwarded emails to be sent as attachments by default in Outlook.

How to Forward an Email as an Actual Attachment

There may be times when you want to forward an incoming email to someone as an attachment so that they know you haven't edited the message. Or you may want to attach an email to the message to send them a record of a conversation.

Any email you forward is attached as an EML file, which some email programs such as OS X Mail may display inline with all header lines.

For Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, and Outlook for Microsoft 365

The steps to forward emails as attachments are the same in Outlook 2010 to 2019 including Outlook for Microsoft 365. Screenshots are from Outlook 2016, and any minor variations from this version are called out.

  1. Select the email you want to forward, then go to the Home tab.

    To forward multiple emails as attachments in a single message, press and hold Ctrl, then select each email you want to attach.

    Outlook 2016 Home selected in the ribbon menu with an email selected
  2. In the Respond group, select More Respond Actions. In Outlook 2010, select More.

    Outlook 2016 More Respond Actions button selected
  3. Select Forward as Attachment.

    Or use the Ctrl+Alt+F keyboard shortcut to forward an email as an attachment.

    Outlook 2016 Forward as Attachment menu item selected
  4. In the To text box, enter the email address of the recipient. In the body of the email, explain why you are forwarding the email as an attachment.

    Outlook 2016 new forwarding message with email as an attachment
  5. Select Send.

For Outlook 2007 and 2003

Older versions of Outlook have a slightly different process for forwarding emails as attachments. Screenshots are from Outlook 2007. Screens in 2003 may vary slightly, but the steps are the same.

  1. Select the email you want to forward as an attachment.

    Outlook 2007 with email to forward selected
  2. Select Actions > Forward as Attachment.

    The keyboard shortcut to forward an email as an attachment is Ctrl+Alt+F. Use this shortcut after you select the message you want to forward.

    Outlook 2007 with Action menu and Forward as Attachment selected
  3. A new forwarding message opens and the selected email is attached.

    Outlook 2007 new forwarding email with another email as an attachment
  4. Enter the recipient's email address and any message in the body of the message.

  5. Click Send when you're finished.

For Outlook.com

The process for forwarding an email as an attachment is different from the Outlook desktop application. There isn't a specific option for forwarding as an attachment. However, you can send an email as an attachment on Outlook.com by following these steps.

  1. Select New Message.

    Outlook.com with New message selected
  2. In the Inbox pane, drag the email you want to send as an attachment to the new message. In the new message, a Drop messages here box appears. Drop the email in this space.

    Outlook.com with email being dragged-and-dropped into a new message
  3. The dropped email is added to the new message as an attachment.

    Outlook.com displaying a new message with an email as an attachment
  4. Enter the recipient's email address, a subject for the message (to let the recipient know it contains a forwarded email), and any message in the body of the email.

  5. Select Send to send the message with the attached email to the recipient.

Set Up Outlook to Automatically Forward Emails as Attachments

You can set all forwarded emails to be sent as attachments as the default in Outlook.

For Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010; and Outlook for Microsoft 365

  1. Go to File.

    Outlook 2016 File ribbon menu selection
  2. Select Options.

    Outlook 2016 Options menu
  3. Select Mail.

    Outlook 2016 Mail category selected in Options window
  4. In the Replies and forwards section, select the When forwarding a message dropdown arrow and choose Attach original message.

    Outlook 2016 dropdown for setting default to attach emails when forwarding
  5. Select OK.

For Outlook 2007 and 2003

Follow these steps to change the forwarding default option in Outlook 2007 and 2003.

  1. Click Tools > Options.

    Outlook 2007 Tools menu with Options seleced
  2. Click the Preferences tab and, in the E-mail section, click E-mail Options.

    Outlook 2007 Options menu with E-mail Options selected
  3. In the On replies and forwards section, click the When forwarding a message dropdown arrow and choose Attach original message.

    Outlook 2007 E-mail Options window with default dropdown
  4. Click OK to close the E-mail Options dialog box.

  5. Click OK to close the Options dialog box.

FAQ
  • How do I recall an email in Outlook?

    To recall an email in Outlook, go to the Sent Items folder. Double-click the message you want to recall, then select the Message tab > Actions dropdown arrow > Recall This Message.

  • How do I add a signature in Outlook?

    To create a signature in Outlook, go to Settings. Choose View all Outlook settings. In the Settings window, select Mail Compose and reply. In the Email signature section, compose and format your signature.

  • How do I schedule an email in Outlook?

    To schedule an email in Outlook, compose your message and select Options. Under More Options, select Delay Delivery. Under Properties, select Do not deliver before and pick a time and date. Go back to your email and select Send.

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