How To Attach A Draft Email In Outlook : Email Attachment Draft Method

Sending a draft as an attachment in Outlook requires saving the draft first, then attaching it to a new message. If you have ever wondered how to attach a draft email in outlook, the process is simpler than you might think. Many users mistakenly try to forward a draft directly, but Outlook does not allow that. Instead, you need to save the draft as a file and then attach it to a new email. This guide walks you through every step, whether you use Outlook for Windows, Mac, or the web version.

Drafts are unfinished emails stored in your Drafts folder. Attaching a draft lets you share a work-in-progress with a colleague or move it to another account. This is especially useful for collaborative editing or when you need to preserve formatting. Below, you will find clear instructions, troubleshooting tips, and answers to common questions.

How To Attach A Draft Email In Outlook

This section covers the exact steps for different Outlook versions. Follow the method that matches your setup. The core idea remains the same: save the draft as an Outlook message file (.msg) and attach it to a new email.

Method 1: Attach A Draft In Outlook For Windows

Outlook for Windows is the most common version. Here is how to do it step by step.

Open Outlook and go to your Drafts folder. You can find it in the folder pane on the left side.
Locate the draft email you want to attach. Double-click it to open it in a new window.
Click “File” in the top-left corner of the draft window.
Select “Save As” from the menu. A dialog box will appear.
Choose a location on your computer, like your Desktop or Documents folder.
In the “Save as type” dropdown, make sure “Outlook Message Format – Unicode (*.msg)” is selected. This is the default.
Click “Save.” The draft is now saved as a .msg file.
Close the draft window. You do not need to save changes again.
Create a new email by clicking “New Email” in the Home tab.
In the new message window, go to the “Insert” tab.
Click “Attach File” (or the paperclip icon). Browse to the .msg file you saved.
Select the file and click “Insert.” The draft is now attached to your new email.
Add a recipient, subject, and any additional text. Then send the email.

That is the full process. If you have multiple drafts to attach, repeat these steps for each one. The .msg file preserves all formatting, attachments, and the original subject line.

Method 2: Attach A Draft In Outlook For Mac

Outlook for Mac works slightly differently. The “Save As” option is not in the same place. Follow these steps carefully.

Open Outlook for Mac and go to your Drafts folder. It is usually under “On My Computer” or the account name.
Double-click the draft to open it in a new window.
Click “File” in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
Select “Save As” from the dropdown menu.
In the save dialog, choose a location like your Desktop.
Under “Format,” select “Outlook Message (.eml)” or “Outlook Message (.msg)” if available. .eml is common on Mac.
Click “Save.” The draft is saved as a file.
Close the draft window.
Create a new email by clicking “New Email” in the toolbar.
In the new message, click the “Attach” button (paperclip icon) in the toolbar.
Browse to the saved draft file and select it.
Click “Choose” or “Attach.” The draft is now attached.
Fill in the recipient and send the email.

Note: On Mac, the file extension might be .eml instead of .msg. Both work fine for attaching. The recipient can open them in most email clients.

Method 3: Attach A Draft In Outlook On The Web

Outlook on the web (Outlook.com or Office 365) does not have a direct “Save As” option. You need to use a workaround. Here is the easiest way.

Log in to Outlook on the web and go to your Drafts folder.
Open the draft by clicking on it. It will open in the reading pane or a new window.
Click the three dots (More actions) in the toolbar above the draft.
Select “Print” from the menu. This opens the print preview.
In the print preview, look for an option to “Save as PDF” or “Print to PDF.” Choose that.
Save the PDF file to your computer. This converts the draft to a PDF.
Close the draft without saving changes.
Create a new email by clicking “New message.”
Click the “Attach” paperclip icon at the bottom of the new message.
Select the PDF file you saved and attach it.
Send the email with the draft attached as a PDF.

This method loses some formatting and cannot be edited by the recipient. For a better alternative, you can copy the draft content and paste it into a Word document, then attach that. Or, use the desktop version if you need the .msg format.

Method 4: Using Drag And Drop To Attach A Draft

Some users prefer drag and drop. This works in Outlook for Windows and Mac, but not on the web. Here is how.

Open Outlook and go to your Drafts folder.
Minimize the Outlook window so you can see your Desktop or a File Explorer window.
Click and hold the draft email in the Drafts list.
Drag it to your Desktop or a folder. A copy of the draft will be saved as a .msg file.
Release the mouse button. The file appears on your Desktop.
Now, open a new email in Outlook.
Drag the .msg file from your Desktop into the body of the new email. It will attach automatically.

This method is faster but requires a bit of dexterity. Make sure you drag the draft, not just select it. If you drag it to an open email, it attaches instantly.

Why You Might Need To Attach A Draft Email

Attaching a draft is not a daily task for most people. But it becomes essential in specific situations. Here are common scenarios.

You want a colleague to review or edit a draft before you send it.
You need to move a draft from one email account to another.
You are switching computers and want to preserve the draft for later.
You want to keep a backup of an important unfinished email.
You are collaborating on a project and need to share the draft with a team.

In each case, attaching the draft as a file is the safest way. Forwarding a draft does not work because Outlook treats drafts as temporary files.

Common Mistakes When Attaching Drafts

Many users make errors the first time. Here are the most frequent ones and how to avoid them.

Mistake: Trying to forward a draft directly. Fix: Always save the draft first as a file.
Mistake: Saving the draft as a plain text file. Fix: Use .msg or .eml format to keep formatting.
Mistake: Forgetting to close the draft after saving. Fix: Close it to avoid confusion.
Mistake: Attaching the draft from the Drafts folder without saving. Fix: You must save it to your computer first.
Mistake: Using the web version and expecting .msg files. Fix: Use the desktop version or convert to PDF.

Avoid these pitfalls and the process becomes smooth. If you make a mistake, simply delete the attachment and try again.

How To Open An Attached Draft Email

Once you receive a draft as an attachment, you need to open it correctly. Here is how for different clients.

Opening .Msg Files In Outlook

If you use Outlook, double-click the .msg file. It opens as a new email in Outlook. You can then edit, forward, or save it to your Drafts folder.

Double-click the .msg attachment in the email.
Outlook opens it in a new window. It looks like a regular email.
To save it to your Drafts, click “File” then “Save As.” Choose “Drafts” folder.
Alternatively, you can forward it or reply to it.

Opening .Eml Files In Other Clients

.eml files open in most email clients like Thunderbird, Apple Mail, or Windows Mail. Double-click the file and it opens. You can then copy the content or save it.

If you use a web-based email, you might need to download the file first. Then open it with a compatible program.

Troubleshooting Attachment Issues

Sometimes attaching a draft does not work as expected. Here are solutions to common problems.

Problem: The “Save As” option is grayed out. Solution: Make sure the draft is open in a separate window, not just selected in the list.
Problem: The attached file is empty. Solution: Save the draft again, ensuring you select the correct format.
Problem: The recipient cannot open the .msg file. Solution: Convert it to PDF or copy the content into a Word document.
Problem: The draft contains attachments that are missing. Solution: Attachments in the draft are usually included in the .msg file. If not, save them separately.
Problem: Outlook crashes when saving. Solution: Close other programs and try again. Restart Outlook if needed.

Most issues are easy to fix. If you still have trouble, try the drag-and-drop method instead.

Alternatives To Attaching A Draft

Attaching a draft is not always the best option. Consider these alternatives depending on your goal.

Copy and paste the content into a new email. This works for short drafts without complex formatting.
Use the “Forward” feature if the draft is already sent. But for unsent drafts, this does not work.
Share the draft via a cloud service like OneDrive. Save the draft as a file and upload it.
Use Outlook’s “Share” feature if you are on Exchange or Office 365. This allows real-time collaboration.

Choose the method that fits your workflow. Attaching is best for preserving the exact draft.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to common questions about attaching draft emails in Outlook.

Can I attach a draft email without saving it first?

No, you must save the draft as a file first. Outlook does not allow you to attach a draft directly from the Drafts folder. Saving it as a .msg or .eml file is required.

What format should I use when saving a draft?

Use Outlook Message Format (.msg) for Windows. Use .eml for Mac or web clients. Both preserve the email content and formatting.

Can I attach multiple drafts to one email?

Yes, save each draft as a separate file. Then attach all of them to the same new email. Recipients will see multiple attachments.

Does attaching a draft remove it from my Drafts folder?

No, attaching a draft does not delete it. The original draft remains in your Drafts folder. You can delete it manually if you no longer need it.

Can I edit an attached draft after sending it?

No, once you send the email with the attached draft, the recipient has a copy. You cannot edit it remotely. Ask them to send back the edited version.

Final Tips For Attaching Drafts Smoothly

To make the process even easier, keep these tips in mind. First, always save drafts to a folder you can find quickly, like your Desktop. Second, use descriptive file names so you know which draft is which. Third, if you attach drafts often, create a dedicated folder for them.

Another tip: If you use Outlook on multiple devices, sync your drafts via Exchange or Office 365. This way, you can access them from anywhere. But for attaching, you still need to save the file locally.

Finally, test the attachment before sending. Open the saved .msg file to ensure it looks correct. This prevents sending an empty or corrupted file.

Attaching a draft email in Outlook is a straightforward task once you know the steps. Whether you use Windows, Mac, or the web, the principle is the same: save, then attach. With practice, it becomes second nature. Now you can share your drafts with confidence, collaborate with colleagues, and keep your workflow efficient.

Remember, the key is to save the draft as a file first. Do not try to forward it or drag it from the Drafts folder directly. Follow the methods above, and you will never struggle with this task again. If you encounter any issues, refer back to the troubleshooting section or the FAQ. Happy emailing!