How Do You Send An Email As An Attachment?

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How Do You Send An Email As An Attachment? Unlocking Hidden Email Secrets

The ability to send an email as an attachment is crucial for sharing complex email threads or preserving formatted content; this is generally accomplished by saving the email as an .eml or .msg file and then attaching that file to a new email message. This article details the process and explores the reasons why this functionality is so useful.

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Why Send an Email as an Attachment?

Sending an email as an attachment might seem redundant at first. Why not simply forward the email? The answer lies in the control and preservation of data that attachments offer.

Complete Preservation: Attachments ensure that the entire original email is preserved, including headers, formatting, and any embedded attachments within the original email. Forwarding can sometimes alter the original email’s structure.
Complex Email Threads: When dealing with long email threads, attaching the entire conversation as one file can be much easier for the recipient to manage and review.
Data Archiving and Compliance: Attaching emails can be crucial for archiving important correspondence or meeting legal compliance requirements. The attached email serves as an unaltered record.
Offline Access: Once downloaded, the recipient can access the attached email offline, without needing an internet connection.
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The Process: Step-by-Step Guide

The exact method for sending an email as an attachment varies slightly depending on your email client (e.g., Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo Mail), but the general steps are very similar. Here’s a breakdown:

Locate the Email: Open the email you wish to send as an attachment in your email client.
Save the Email: This is the crucial step. You need to save the email as a file on your computer.
- Outlook: Typically, you can go to File > Save As and choose a format like .msg (Outlook Message Format).
- Gmail (Web Version): Open the email, click the three vertical dots (More Options) in the upper right, and choose Download message. This will save it as a .eml file.
- Other Clients: Look for a “Save” or “Download” option within the email’s menu or right-click context menu. The file format is usually .eml or .msg.
Create a New Email: Start composing a new email message in your email client.
Attach the Saved File: Use the attachment feature in your new email to select the .eml or .msg file you saved earlier.
Add Recipient, Subject, and Body: Fill in the recipient’s email address, a relevant subject line, and any message you want to include in the body of the email.
Send the Email: Click the “Send” button to send the email with the email attachment.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Forgetting to Save the Email: This is the most common mistake. You must save the email as a file before you can attach it.
Choosing the Wrong File Format: Make sure you save the email in a format that can be opened by the recipient. .eml is generally more universally compatible than .msg (which is specific to Outlook).
Attaching the Wrong File: Double-check that you are attaching the correct .eml or .msg file.
Assuming the Recipient Knows What to Do: If the recipient is not familiar with opening email attachments, provide clear instructions in the email body.
Sending Sensitive Information Unencrypted: Be aware of the security implications when sending sensitive information in email attachments, especially if not encrypted.

Understanding .EML and .MSG Files

.EML (Electronic Mail): This is a widely used, standardized format for storing email messages. It’s supported by most email clients and provides a relatively platform-independent way to save and view emails.
.MSG (Microsoft Outlook Message): This is a proprietary format used by Microsoft Outlook. It contains not only the email message but also Outlook-specific properties and metadata. While more feature-rich in Outlook, it might not be easily opened by other email clients.

Feature	.EML	.MSG
Compatibility	Broadly compatible with most clients.	Primarily for Outlook; limited support elsewhere.
Properties	Stores email content and headers.	Includes Outlook-specific metadata.
Accessibility	Easier to open in different programs.	Best viewed within Microsoft Outlook.

Sending an Encrypted Email as an Attachment

To increase security when sending sensitive information, consider these methods:

Password-Protect the Attached File: Save the original email to a PDF, and then password-protect that PDF. Send that password-protected PDF as an attachment. Communicate the password separately through a secure channel.
Use S/MIME or PGP: These encryption standards provide end-to-end encryption for email messages. Ensure that both you and the recipient have compatible certificates. The entire email, including attachments, will be encrypted.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the easiest way to send an email as an attachment in Gmail?

In the Gmail web interface, simply open the email you want to send, click the three vertical dots in the upper right corner (“More Options”), and select “Download message.” This saves the email as a .eml file, which you can then attach to a new email.

Can I send multiple emails as attachments in one email?

Yes, you can. Simply repeat the process of saving each email as a separate .eml or .msg file and then attach all the files to a new email.

How do I open an .eml file?

Most email clients, such as Outlook, Thunderbird, and Apple Mail, can directly open .eml files. You can usually simply double-click the file to open it in your default email client. If that doesn’t work, right-click the file, choose “Open With,” and select your email client.

What if the recipient cannot open the .eml or .msg file?

If the recipient has trouble opening the file, consider asking them to try a different email client. As a last resort, you could save the email as a PDF (if your email client allows) and send the PDF.

Is it safe to open .eml and .msg attachments?

Generally, opening .eml and .msg files is safe, especially if you trust the sender. However, as with any attachment, be cautious about clicking on links or opening attachments within the email if you are unsure of the sender’s authenticity.

Can I send an email as an attachment from my smartphone?

Yes, the process is very similar on mobile devices. Most mobile email apps allow you to save an email as a file (usually .eml) and then attach it to a new email.

Why is the attached email appearing as a plain text file?

This could be due to a compatibility issue or the way the email client is configured. Try opening the email in a different email client to see if the formatting is displayed correctly.

Does forwarding an email achieve the same result as sending it as an attachment?

No, forwarding an email may alter the formatting or remove certain elements. Sending an email as an attachment ensures that the original email is preserved completely, including headers and embedded attachments.

How How Do You Send An Email As An Attachment? using Microsoft Outlook?

In Outlook, open the email, go to File > Save As, choose the “Outlook Message Format (.msg)” as the file type, and save the file. Then, create a new email and attach the .msg file.

What are the size limitations when sending an email as an attachment?

The size limitations depend on your email provider. Gmail, for example, has a limit of 25 MB for attachments. Check with your email provider for their specific limits. You can compress the .eml or .msg file into a ZIP archive to reduce the size.

Can I send an email as an attachment using Apple Mail?

Yes. In Apple Mail, open the email, go to File > Save As, choose a location, and the email will be saved as an .eml file. Then attach this saved file to a new email.

Is it possible to automate the process of sending emails as attachments?

Yes, advanced users can use scripting languages (like Python with email libraries) or third-party applications to automate the process of saving and attaching emails. This is particularly useful for archiving large volumes of emails.