How To Save An Outlook Email As An Attachment – Email Attachment Forwarding

Saving an Outlook email as an attachment involves dragging the message into a new email or using the “Save as” function. This guide will show you exactly how to save an outlook email as an attachment in just a few clicks. Whether you need to forward a message with its full formatting or archive a conversation, this process is simple and effective.

Many people think attaching an email is complicated, but it is not. You can do it in Outlook for Windows, Mac, or the web version. This article covers all major methods with clear steps.

Why Save An Outlook Email As An Attachment?

Attaching an email preserves the original message exactly as it was sent. The recipient sees the same headers, dates, and formatting. This is useful for legal records, project handoffs, or sharing important conversations.

You might also want to save emails for your own archive. Instead of forwarding a cluttered thread, you send a single file. The attachment appears as an .msg file in Outlook or an .eml file in other email clients.

Method 1: Drag And Drop (Fastest Way)

This is the quickest method for most users. It works in Outlook desktop versions for Windows and Mac.

Steps For Windows Outlook

1. Open Outlook and create a new email message.
2. Find the email you want to attach in your inbox or folder.
3. Click and hold the email with your mouse.
4. Drag it directly into the body of the new email window.
5. Release the mouse button. The email appears as an attachment.

That is it. The attached file will show the subject line and sender name. The recipient can open it and see the full original message.

Steps For Mac Outlook

1. Open a new message window.
2. Select the email from your folder list.
3. Drag it into the new message area.
4. Release to attach.

On Mac, the process is identical. Some users report that dragging works best when both windows are visible side by side.

Method 2: Using The “Forward As Attachment” Button

Outlook has a built-in button for this. It is one of the easiest ways to learn how to save an outlook email as an attachment.

Windows Outlook

1. Select the email in your inbox.
2. Go to the “Home” tab on the ribbon.
3. Look for the “Respond” group.
4. Click the “More” dropdown (it looks like three dots).
5. Choose “Forward as Attachment.”
6. A new message opens with the email attached.

You can now add a note and send. The attachment is an .msg file.

Outlook On The Web (OWA)

1. Right-click the email in your inbox.
2. Select “Forward as attachment” from the menu.
3. A new compose window opens with the email attached.

This works in all modern browsers. The web version attaches the email as an .eml file.

Method 3: Save The Email To Your Computer First

If you want to keep a copy on your hard drive before attaching, use the “Save As” option. This is also a valid way to save an outlook email as an attachment later.

Windows Outlook

1. Open the email you want to save.
2. Click “File” in the top left corner.
3. Select “Save As.”
4. Choose a folder on your computer.
5. In the “Save as type” dropdown, select “Outlook Message Format (*.msg).”
6. Click “Save.”

Now you have a file on your computer. To attach it to another email, simply drag the file into a new message or use the “Attach File” button.

Outlook For Mac

1. Open the email.
2. Go to “File” > “Save As.”
3. Choose a location and save as .eml format.
4. Attach the saved file to a new email.

This method gives you a permanent backup. You can attach the same file to multiple emails later.

Method 4: Using Keyboard Shortcuts

For power users, keyboard shortcuts speed up the process. These work in Windows Outlook.

• Select the email in the list.
• Press Ctrl + Alt + F to forward as an attachment immediately.
• A new message opens with the email attached.

On Mac, the shortcut is Command + Shift + F. This is a fast way to save an outlook email as an attachment without using the mouse.

How To Save Multiple Emails As One Attachment

Sometimes you need to attach several emails together. Outlook does not have a single button for this, but you can combine them.

Method A: Drag Multiple Emails

1. Hold the Ctrl key (Windows) or Command key (Mac).
2. Click each email you want to attach.
3. Drag the selected group into a new email.
4. All emails appear as separate attachments.

Method B: Save And Combine In A Folder

1. Save each email as an .msg file on your computer.
2. Create a new folder and put all files inside.
3. Compress the folder into a ZIP file (right-click > “Send to” > “Compressed folder”).
4. Attach the ZIP file to your email.

This keeps the attachments organized. The recipient can unzip and open each email.

Common Issues And Fixes

Even simple processes can have hiccups. Here are problems you might face when learning how to save an outlook email as an attachment.

Attachment Shows As Text Instead Of File

If the email appears as text in the body, you dragged it incorrectly. Make sure you drop it into the attachment area, not the message body. In Outlook, the attachment area is usually above or below the text box.

File Size Too Large

Emails with many attachments or large images can be huge. Most email servers limit attachments to 25 MB. Try these fixes:

• Remove large attachments from the original email before saving.
• Compress the email file using a ZIP tool.
• Use a cloud link instead of attaching the file.

Cannot Find The “Forward As Attachment” Option

In some Outlook versions, the button is hidden. Check the “More” dropdown in the “Respond” group. If you still cannot see it, right-click the email and look for the option in the context menu.

Mac Outlook Drag And Drop Not Working

Some Mac users report that dragging does not attach the file. Try this workaround:

1. Open the email you want to attach.
2. Press Command + S to save it to your desktop.
3. Drag the saved file into a new email.

How To Save An Outlook Email As An Attachment On Mobile

The Outlook mobile app does not have a direct “forward as attachment” button. But you can still do it with a workaround.

IOS (IPhone / IPad)

1. Open the email in the Outlook app.
2. Tap the three dots (More) in the top right.
3. Select “Save to Files.”
4. Choose a location and save.
5. Open a new email and tap “Attach.”
6. Browse to the saved file and attach it.

Android

1. Open the email.
2. Tap the three dots menu.
3. Select “Save as file” or “Export.”
4. Choose a location.
5. Attach the file to a new email.

The saved file is usually in .eml format. It works on most email clients.

What File Format Does Outlook Use?

When you save an outlook email as an attachment, the file format depends on the method.

• .msg – Used by Outlook for Windows. It preserves all formatting, attachments, and metadata.
• .eml – Used by Outlook for Mac and web versions. It is a standard email file that opens in many clients.

Both formats are widely supported. If you send an .msg file to someone using Gmail, they can still open it with an add-on or by downloading it.

Best Practices For Attaching Emails

Follow these tips to avoid confusion and keep your inbox clean.

• Always rename the attachment if the subject line is unclear. Right-click the attached file and choose “Rename.”
• Add a brief note in the email body explaining what the attachment contains.
• Check the file size before sending. Large files may bounce.
• Use the “Forward as Attachment” method for official correspondence. It preserves the original headers.

How To Save An Outlook Email As An Attachment For Legal Or Compliance

In some industries, you need to preserve emails exactly as sent. Attaching an email is better than forwarding because it cannot be edited.

For legal purposes, save the email as an .msg file first. Then attach it to a new email or store it in a secure folder. You can also print the email to PDF as a backup.

Always include the full email headers. To view headers in Outlook, open the email and go to File > Properties. The headers show the delivery path and timestamps.

Alternatives To Attaching An Email

Sometimes attaching an email is not the best choice. Consider these options.

• Forward the email – Simple and fast, but the recipient sees the forwarded header.
• Print to PDF – Creates a static document that cannot be opened in an email client.
• Share a link – If you use Microsoft 365, you can share a link to the email in your mailbox. The recipient must have permission.

Each method has pros and cons. Attaching is best when you need the original file format.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I save an Outlook email as an attachment without opening it?

Yes. Select the email in the list, then use the “Forward as Attachment” button or drag it into a new message. You do not need to open it first.

Does the attachment include the original attachments?

Yes. When you attach an email, all its original attachments are included inside the .msg or .eml file. The recipient can open them.

Why does my attached email show as a winmail.dat file?

This happens when the recipient uses a non-Outlook email client. The winmail.dat file is a Microsoft format that other clients cannot read. To avoid this, save the email as an .eml file before attaching.

Can I attach an email from Outlook to Gmail?

Yes. Save the email as an .eml file on your computer. Then attach that file to your Gmail message. Gmail will treat it as a regular attachment.

How do I attach an email from Outlook Web to a new message?

Right-click the email and choose “Forward as attachment.” A new compose window opens with the email attached. You cannot drag and drop in the web version.

Final Thoughts On Saving Outlook Emails

Now you know multiple ways to save an outlook email as an attachment. The drag-and-drop method is fastest for desktop users. The “Forward as Attachment” button works everywhere. Saving to your computer gives you a backup.

Practice each method once. You will find the one that fits your workflow. Attaching emails saves time and keeps your communication clear. Start using these steps today and make your email management more efficient.