Reference number: CH000887

How can I send an attachment in e-mail?

Question:

How can I send an attachment in e-mail?

Answer:

Below is additional information on how to attach any type of file to an e-mail in each of the popular e-mail programs and e-mail services. Click one of the below links to go directly to the e-mail program you need help with, or scroll down and read through the entire document.

Tips for sending attachments in e-mail
Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express
Mozilla Thunderbird
Microsoft Hotmail
Gmail

Tips for sending pictures through e-mail

Below are some general tips to consider when sending any attachment through e-mail, including pictures.

• It is common courtesy to only send 1-5 attachments or pictures in a single e-mail. If you have more than five pictures, we suggest you post your pictures on an online site and simply send the link to that site with all your pictures or compress all the files into one file. A listing of free locations where you can post your pictures, movies, and other files on the Internet can be found on document CH000755. Additional information about compressing and uncompressing multiple files can be on document CH000506 and document CH000808.
• If the file you're wanting to send is larger than 2MB we suggest you post the file using one of the services mentioned in the above link or find and alternate method of sending the file. Often many Internet service providers will not allow any e-mails through that are larger than 2MB or if allowed through it will fill the users e-mail box. Of course some services such as GMail allow users to store several gigs of e-mails. If you're using Gmail you should not have to worry about this issue.

Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express

Attaching files to a Microsoft Outlook e-mail

To attach pictures to a Microsoft Outlook, follow the below steps.

1. Open Microsoft Outlook.
2. Reply to an existing e-mail, or compose a new e-mail by clicking on the New icon in the top left portion of the window.
3. In the e-mail, click on the 'Insert file' icon that looks like a small paperclip, or click on Insert at the top of the window and choose file.
4. Browse to the location that contains your file and double-click it insert it.

If successfully attached you should see an icon of the attachment in your e-mail.

Below is an alternative method of attaching a file into an e-mail.

1. Open My computer or Windows explorer and browse to the location of where your pictures are located.
2. Highlight and copy the picture you wish to send in an e-mail. See document CH000766 for additional information about how to copy a file.
3. Open a new e-mail or the e-mail you're replying to that you wish to attach the file into, right-click in the message portion of the e-mail and click paste.

Tip: You can select and attach multiple files at once. Additional information about how to select or highlight multiple files at once can be found on document CH000771.

Mozilla Thunderbird

Attaching pictures to a Mozilla Thunderbird e-mail

To attach pictures to a Mozilla Thunderbird, follow the below steps.

1. Open Mozilla Thunderbird.
2. Reply to an existing e-mail, or compose a new e-mail by clicking on the Write icon in the top left portion of the window.
3. In the e-mail, click on the 'Attach' icon that looks like a large paperclip at the top of the window.
4. Browse to the location of the file you wish to insert, highlight it, and click Ok.

If attached successfully, you should see the attached files listed in the attachments portion of the message.

Microsoft Hotmail

Attaching pictures to a Microsoft Hotmail e-mail

To attach pictures in Hotmail, follow the below steps.

1. Open your Hotmail account on http://www.hotmail.com.
2. Click the New Message link.
3. Click the Attach and then File link.
4. Click the Browse button and browse to the location of the file you wish to attach. Keep in mind that you cannot select multiple files at once. However, you can individually add each of attachments you wish to add.
5. Click Ok or OK and Attach Another if you wish to do more than one attachment.

If attached successfully, you should see a link with the attachment names in your e-mail. Once you're ready to send the message, click the Send button.

Gmail

Attaching pictures to a Gmail e-mail

To attach pictures in Gmail follow the below steps.

1. Open your Gmail account on http://www.gmail.com.
2. Click the Compose Mail link.
3. Click the Attach a file link.
4. Click the Browse button and browse to the file you wish to attach. Keep in mind that you cannot select multiple files at once. However, you can individually add each of the attachments you wish to add.
5. Click Ok.

If attached successfully, you should see a link with the attachment names in your e-mail. Once you're ready to send the message, click the Send button.

Additional information:

• See our attachment dictionary definition for additional information about this term.
• See document CH000807 for additional information about inserting and viewing pictures sent through e-mail.