Applies ToOutlook for Microsoft 365 Outlook 2024 Outlook 2021 Outlook 2019 Outlook 2016 Office for business Outlook on the web Outlook.com Microsoft Office New Outlook for Windows

Email messages that include attachments are identified by a paper clip Attachment icon icon in the message list.

You can use a browser and your OneDrive to view, edit and send attachments with your Outlook Web App, Outlook on the Web or Outlook.com accounts.

File preview allows you to view attachments in Outlook without opening the attachments in a separate application. You simply click the attachment icon in the Reading Pane to preview the file.

Security Note: Outlook accepts a wide variety of different file types, but blocks potentially unsafe attachments (including .bat, .exe, .vbs, and .js files) that can contain viruses. Even with Outlook attachment protection, be careful in opening any attachment, especially if it's from someone that you don't know or trust. When in doubt, confirm the authenticity of the attachment with the sender. Also, keep your computer antivirus software up to date.

Select a tab option below for the version of Outlook you're using. What version of Outlook do I have?

In new Outlook, you can​:

Open or preview attachments | Save attachments | Edit attachments

Note: If the steps under this New Outlook tab don't work, you may not be using new Outlook for Windows yet. Select Classic Outlook and follow those steps instead.

Open or preview attachments in new Outlook​​​​​​​

By default, you can preview files from most Microsoft Office/Microsoft 365 programs including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Visio. You can also preview attached Outlook email items, images, and text files.

Most of the time, you'll see attached files in the Reading Pane, directly under the message header or subject.

Single click or double-click the attached file to open it. Depending on if you're using a work or school account or a personal account, the file might open automatically in Preview or it will open in the file type app (such as Word, Excel, or PowerPoint).

Or select the dropdown and choose Preview or how to open based on the file type. For example, if it's a Word file, select Open in Word.

Screenshot showing dropdown to open an attachment in Word

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Save attachments in new Outlook

  1. To save the attachment in new Outlook, click the dropdown arrow and select Download or Save to OneDrive. Click Download to save one attachment to your computer or cloud storage location. Click Download all to save all attachments from a single message.

  2. Choose the folder where you want to save your file and select Save. The save location defaults to the last folder you saved a file to.

You can also save an attachment by dragging and dropping the attachment from your email message to your desktop.

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Edit and send attachments in new Outlook

You can use a browser and your OneDrive to view, edit and send attachments. Office files can edited in the browser or the Office app. If you want to edit an attachment that's an unsupported file type, you'll have to download and open the file to edit it.

  • To view or preview, select the message, calendar item or task that contains your attachment. Click or tap the and choose Preview.

  • To edit, tap the and choose Edit in Browser. If you have Office installed, you will also see the option to Edit in desktop app.

  • To send, select Reply, Forward or New message, select the paperclip to choose your attachment.

    Tip: Any files you edited in your browser will be in your OneDrive attachments folder.

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See also

Add pictures or attach files to emails in Outlook

Reduce attachment size to send large files with Outlook

Blocked attachments in Outlook

Troubleshoot attachment problems in Outlook for Windows

Find all messages with attachments

Print attachments received in email messages

Remove an attachment from a message in Outlook​​​​​​​

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