Sending an Email as an Attachment

This guide shows users how to send an email as an attachment in Outlook desktop and web apps.

This is helpful if you need to forward multiple emails or need the Helpdesk to inspect a potential questionable email.

Outlook Desktop App

The forward as attachment method is best used if you only want to send one email as an attachment. If you want to send multiple email attachments in one email, it's better to use the Attach File menu, copy and paste, or drag and drop methods.

Attach File menu

1. Open a new email or reply to/forward an existing email.

Outlook desktop app ribbon
  1. You can open a new email.
  2. You could also select an existing email to reply to.
  3. Or you can select an existing email to forward.

2. Click Attach File.

Attach File button in Outlook desktop app

3. Select Attach Item. Then, click Outlook Item.

Attach File menu
  1. From the Attach Item drop-down menu, select Attach Item.
  2. Click Outlook Item.

4. Select the folder where the emails you want to attach are located. Select the emails you want to send as attachments. Then, click OK.

You can select multiple emails by holding down the Ctrl key as you click.

Insert Item window
  1. Select the folder that contains the emails that you want to attach.
  2. Select the emails to attach to your message.
  3. Click OK.

5. The emails have been added as attachments.

Email message with two email attachments
Copy and paste

1. In your mailbox, click the message you want to attach. Press Ctrl + C to copy it.

You can select multiple emails by holding down the Ctrl key as you click.

Outlook desktop app inbox with two emails highlighted

2. Open a new email or reply to/forward an existing email.

Outlook desktop app ribbon
  1. You can open a new email.
  2. You could also select an existing email to reply to.
  3. Or you can select an existing email to forward.

3. Click into the body of the new email. Then, press Ctrl + V to add the copied emails as attachments.

Email message with two email attachments
Drag and drop

1. Open a new email or reply to/forward an existing email.

Outlook desktop app ribbon
  1. You can open a new email.
  2. You could also select an existing email to reply to.
  3. Or you can select an existing email to forward.

2. Place your new email and mailbox side-by-side. Then, select the emails you want to add as attachments. Hold down your mouse button to drag them into the body of your email. Release the button to drop them into the message.

You can select multiple emails by holding down the Ctrl key as you click.

Two emails being dragged from inbox into new email body

3. The emails have been added as attachments.

Email message with two email attachments
Forward as attachment

1. Open the email that you want to attach. Click on the button with the three dots in the top right corner of the email. Then, click Forward as Attachment.

Email window showing three-dot menu options
  1. Click on the three-dot button in the top right corner of the email that you want to attach.
  2. Select Forward as Attachment.

2. A new email will open containing the email attachment.

Email message with an email attachment

Outlook Web App

The forward as attachment method is best used if you only want to send one email as an attachment. If you want to send multiple email attachments in one email, it's better to drag and drop or copy and paste.

Forward as attachment

1. Open the email that you want to attach. Click on the button with the three dots in the header of the email. Select Other reply actions. Then, click Forward as attachment.

Email window in Outlook web app
  1. Click the three-dot button in the header of the email.
  2. Click Other reply actions.
  3. Click Forward as attachment.

2. The email has been added as an attachment.

Email message with email attachment
Copy and paste

1. In your mailbox, select the message/s you want to attach. Press Ctrl + C to copy.

Email selected in mailbox

2. Open a new email or reply to/forward an existing email.

Outlook web app ribbon
  1. You can open a new email.
  2. You could also select an existing email to reply to.
  3. Or you can select an existing email to forward.

3. Click into the body of the new email. Then, press Ctrl + V to add the copied emails as attachments.

Email message with an email attachment
Drag and drop

1. Open a new email or reply to/forward an existing email.

Outlook web app ribbon
  1. You can open a new email.
  2. You could also select an existing email to reply to.
  3. Or you can select an existing email to forward.

2. Select the email you want to add as an attachment. Hold down your mouse button to drag it into the body of your email. Release the button to drop it into the message.

You can select multiple emails by holding down the Ctrl key as you click.

Email being dragged from inbox into new email body

3. The email has been added as an attachment.

Email message with email attachment

Need More Help?

Faculty/Staff - contact the IT Help Desk at [email protected] or 657-278-7777.

Students - contact the Student IT Help Desk at [email protected] or 657-278-8888.