How To Send A Gmail Email As An Attachment: The Ultimate Guide
Want to share entire email conversations without forwarding each message individually? Learn how to send a Gmail email as an attachment using the drag-and-drop method or downloading it as an EML file for a seamless and efficient sharing experience.
Why Send a Gmail Email as an Attachment? A Quick Look
Sending emails as attachments might seem counterintuitive, but it’s a powerful technique with several benefits. Instead of forwarding numerous individual emails – which can clutter inboxes and lose formatting – attaching the entire email thread preserves context, formatting, and embedded images. This is particularly useful for legal documentation, archiving important conversations, or sharing complex email exchanges with others. Think of it as sending a complete email file rather than just the content.
The Two Primary Methods Explained
There are two main ways to achieve this in Gmail: the drag-and-drop method (supported by some email clients) and the EML file download method. Both achieve the same goal, but the best choice depends on your needs and the recipient’s email client.
- Drag and Drop (Ideal for Some Desktop Clients): This involves dragging an email directly from your Gmail interface into a new email composition window within a compatible desktop email client.
- EML Download (Universally Compatible): This approach downloads the selected email as an EML (Electronic Mail) file, which can then be attached to any email.
Step-by-Step: Drag and Drop (If Your Email Client Supports It)
This method is arguably the simplest, but it requires a desktop-based email client that supports the drag-and-drop functionality. Popular clients like Mozilla Thunderbird often do. Web-based email clients rarely support drag-and-drop attachments of entire emails in this way.
- Open your Desktop Email Client: Make sure you have a desktop email client (e.g., Thunderbird, Outlook) properly configured and open.
- Access Your Gmail Account: Open Gmail in your web browser.
- Locate the Email: Find the email you want to send as an attachment.
- Drag and Drop: Click and drag the email directly from your Gmail inbox (or any folder) into the new email composition window in your desktop client. It should automatically appear as an attachment.
- Compose and Send: Add the recipient’s address, subject, and any additional message text, then send the email.
Step-by-Step: The EML File Download Method
This method is more universally compatible because it creates a standard file format (.EML) that most email clients can recognize and open.
- Open Gmail in Your Browser: Access your Gmail account through a web browser.
- Open the Desired Email: Click on the email you wish to send as an attachment.
- Access the “More” Options: Look for the three vertical dots (ellipsis) in the upper-right corner of the email view. Click on them.
- Select “Download Message”: In the dropdown menu, choose the “Download Message” option. This will download the email as an EML file to your computer. The location will depend on your browser settings.
- Compose a New Email: Create a new email in Gmail (or any email client).
- Attach the EML File: Click the “Attach” icon (usually a paperclip) and select the downloaded EML file from your computer.
- Add Recipient and Subject: Enter the recipient’s email address, subject line, and any accompanying message.
- Send the Email: Click the “Send” button.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
While the process is generally straightforward, you might encounter some issues:
- File Size Limits: EML files can become quite large, especially with attachments. Check your email provider’s file size limits and consider compressing the file if necessary.
- Recipient Compatibility: While EML is a standard format, some older or less common email clients might have trouble opening them. Inform your recipients that they may need a dedicated email client (like Outlook, Thunderbird, or similar) to open the attached EML file.
- Security Concerns: Exercise caution when opening EML attachments from unknown senders, as they can potentially contain malicious content.
Benefits of Sending Emails as Attachments: A Comparison
| Feature | Sending as Attachment | Forwarding |
|---|---|---|
| Context Retention | Excellent | Can be Lost |
| Formatting | Preserved | Can be Altered |
| File Size | Potentially Larger | Generally Smaller |
| Organization | Superior | Can be Disorganized |
| Universality | Depends on EML Reader | Universally Supported |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is an EML file and why is it important?
An EML file is a standard email file format used to store individual email messages. It encapsulates the email header, body, attachments, and other metadata. Its importance lies in its ability to preserve the integrity and formatting of an email message, making it ideal for archiving, sharing complete email conversations, and legal discovery.
How To Send A Gmail Email As An Attachment to someone without them needing a special program?
While EML files are generally compatible, ensuring the recipient can open the attachment is key. Advise them to use a common email client like Outlook, Thunderbird, Apple Mail, or even the built-in email client on most operating systems. These can typically open EML files without issue. If they’re truly struggling, suggest an online EML viewer.
Can I send multiple Gmail emails as one single attachment?
Unfortunately, Gmail doesn’t offer a built-in feature to combine multiple emails into a single attachment directly. You could, however, forward them all within one email body, or create a ZIP archive containing each email as a separate EML file. Creating a ZIP file provides a compressed, single file for easy transfer.
Is sending an email as an attachment more secure than forwarding?
Not necessarily. The security depends more on the email content and the recipient’s security practices than on the method of delivery. Ensure both you and the recipient have proper security measures in place, regardless of whether you forward or attach the email.
What if the EML file is too large to attach?
Large EML files, especially with attachments, can exceed email size limits. Consider compressing the EML file into a ZIP archive to reduce its size. Alternatively, upload the file to a cloud storage service (like Google Drive or Dropbox) and share the link with the recipient.
How do I open an EML file that someone sent to me?
The easiest way is to open it using a desktop email client like Outlook, Thunderbird, or Apple Mail. Simply double-click the EML file, and your default email client should open it automatically. Alternatively, many online EML viewers are available; however, exercise caution before uploading sensitive information to third-party websites.
How To Send A Gmail Email As An Attachment if I only want to send part of a long email thread?
While you can download the entire email as an EML file, selectively sending parts of a long thread requires manual intervention. Consider copying the relevant text into a new email. If the formatting is crucial, take screenshots and include them as images. There is no direct functionality to only download part of an email as an EML file.
Will the recipient be able to reply to the attached email directly?
No, when someone opens an attached EML file, they are essentially opening a standalone email. Replying from within the EML file will create a new email, not a reply within the original thread.
Are there any privacy concerns when sending emails as attachments?
Yes, just like with any email communication, there are potential privacy concerns. Be mindful of the information contained within the email and who you are sharing it with. Ensure the content doesn’t include sensitive data that should not be disseminated.
How To Send A Gmail Email As An Attachment on a mobile device?
The process is similar to the desktop method. Open the email in the Gmail app, tap the three dots (ellipsis) menu, and look for an option like “Download message” (or a similar wording). Once downloaded, create a new email and attach the downloaded EML file.
What are the best practices for managing EML files on my computer?
Organize your EML files into clearly named folders to facilitate easy retrieval. Use descriptive file names that reflect the content of the email. Regularly back up your EML files to prevent data loss.
Are there any alternative methods to achieve similar results without using EML files?
Alternatives include creating a PDF of the email (using your browser’s print-to-PDF function) or simply forwarding the entire email thread, although these may not perfectly preserve the original formatting or provide the same level of organization as sending an EML file. The PDF format is more ubiquitous, but the EML format retains more functionality for email clients.