How to Attach a Document to an Email in Outlook

Send photos, documents, and more file types

By
Heinz Tschabitscher
Heinz Tschabitscher
Heinz Tschabitscher
Writer
  • University of Vienna
A former freelance contributor who has reviewed hundreds of email programs and services since 1997.
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Updated on November 23, 2021

What to Know

  • To add, go to either Message or Insert, select Attach File, and select a file from Recent Items, Browse Web Locations, or Browse This PC.
  • For Outlook 2013, in a message, select Attach File, locate the file, and select Insert.
  • For Outlook for Mac, in a message, go to Message > Attach File, locate the file, and select Choose.

This article explains how to attach a document to an email in Microsoft Outlook. Instructions apply to Outlook for Microsoft 365, Outlook 2019, Outlook 2016, Outlook 2013, Outlook 2010, and Outlook for Mac.

Attach a File to an Email in Newer Versions

Whether you're composing a new message, replying to a message, or forwarding a message, you can attach one or several files.

Outlook keeps track of the files you worked on recently and suggests these files when you attach a file to an email message.

  1. In a new message, a reply, or a forwarded message, go to either Message or Insert, then select Attach File.

  2. Select your file from Recent Items, Browse Web Locations, or Browse This PC.

    Screenshot of attaching files in Word 2016

  3. A copy of this file is attached to your message and will be sent along with it.

Attach a File to an Email in Outlook 2013

  1. In a new message, select Attach File.

  2. Browse your files and select the file you want to attach.

  3. Select Insert.

  4. A copy of this file is attached to your message and will be sent along with it.

Attach a File to an Email in Outlook 2010

  1. Create a new message. Or, for an existing message, click Reply, Reply All, or Forward.

  2. In the message window, go to the Message tab, then, in the Include group, click Attach File.

  3. Browse to and select the file that you want to attach.

  4. Select Insert.

  5. A copy of this file is attached to your message and will be sent along with it.

    When composing a message, attach files by using the commands on the Insert tab in the Include group. Or, drag files from folders on your computer and drop them on the message window.

Attach a File to an Email in Outlook for Mac

These instructions apply to Outlook for Microsoft 365 for Mac, Outlook 2019 for Mac, Outlook 2016 for Mac, and Outlook for Mac 2011.

  1. In your message, go to the Message tab, then select Attach File (the paper clip icon).

  2. Locate the item you want to attach and select it.

    Screenshot of attaching email in Outlook for Mac

  3. Select Choose.

    You can also add attachments by dragging a file or folder from the desktop or Finder into the body of the message.

File Size Limit Error

By default, Outlook does not send email messages with attachments that exceed 20 MB. If the attachment is too large, you'll see an error message. If the file doesn't exceed 25 MB, it's possible to increase the Outlook attachment size limit.

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