• Outlook User
  • New Outlook app
  • Outlook.com
  • Outlook Mac
  • Outlook & iCloud
  • Developer
  • Microsoft 365 Admin
    • Common Problems
    • Microsoft 365
    • Outlook BCM
    • Utilities & Addins

The Attachment Size Exceeds the Allowable Limit Error

Slipstick Systems

› Outlook › Calendar › The Attachment Size Exceeds the Allowable Limit Error

Last reviewed on August 12, 2016     14 Comments

Problem: Users who have recurring appointments or meetings in their calendar cannot modify that meeting or event. When they attempt to open the event, they receive an error: "The attachment size exceeds the allowable limit". They may not see attachments on the event.

The recurring meeting item can grow in size when occurrences are edited, new recipients added, or attachments are added to occurrences. This creates a large number of exceptions to the meeting and in the case of attachments, they are hidden from view unless you open the specific occurrence that has an attachment.

While deleting the original meeting and recreating it will solve the problem, deleting and recreating meeting is not always an acceptable option. Users can't open each occurrence of the meeting and remove any attachments to reduce the size because the error prevents them from opening the meeting.

To solve the problem, use VBA to delete the attachments. If you prefer, you can use MFCMapi to view all of the attachments hidden on the meeting or appointments.

These solutions will also work for the error:

"The Property does not exist. The field you want to modify is not valid for this type of item"

Use VBA to delete attachments from a recurring meeting

Use this code to remove all attachments from all instance of a recurring meeting.

Click in the textbox area, press Ctrl+A to select all then Ctrl+C to copy. Paste in the Outlook's VBA editor. Select the affected attachment then run the macro.

For more detailed instructions on using VBA, see How to use Outlook's VBA Editor

Sub Delete_All_Attachments_From_Appointment()
  On Error Resume Next

  Select Case TypeName(Application.ActiveWindow)
    Case "Explorer"

        If TypeName(ActiveExplorer.Selection.Item(1)) = "AppointmentItem" Then
            Set GetApptItem = ActiveExplorer.Selection.Item(1)
        Else
            MsgBox "Error an appointment is not selected."
            Exit Sub
        End If

    Case "Inspector"
        If TypeName(ActiveInspector.CurrentItem) = "AppointmentItem" Then
            Set GetApptItem = ActiveInspector.CurrentItem
        Else
            MsgBox "Error an appointment is not selected."
            Exit Sub
        End If
    End Select
    If GetApptItem.Attachments.Count = 0 Then
        MsgBox "This appointment has no attachments."
        Exit Sub
    End If
    intResponse = MsgBox("Subject: " & GetApptItem.Subject & vbCr & _
    "Attachments: " & GetApptItem.Attachments.Count & vbCr & _
    "Total Size: " & GetApptItem.Size & " bytes" & vbCr & vbCr & _
    "This will remove all attachments from this appointment, do you want to continue?", vbYesNo, "Are you sure?")
    If intResponse = vbYes Then
        While GetApptItem.Attachments.Count > 0
            GetApptItem.Attachments(1).Delete
        Wend
        GetApptItem.Save
    End If
    On Error GoTo 0
    'MsgBox "test"
End Sub

MFCMapi Method to check for attachments

If you prefer to browse for the hidden attachments, you can use MFCMapi to view the attachment property of the appointments and delete attachments you may find.

Note that these instructions and screenshots were taken from the 2015 version of MFCMAPI and the steps may vary slightly in the other recent versions.

  1. Download MFCMapi.exe - choose the 32 or 64 bit version based on your Microsoft Outlook version, not Windows!
  2. Open the file and run mfcmapi.exe
  3. Click Quick Start, Open Folder, Calendar to open your default calendar.
    click Quick Start, open folder, calendar
  4. Find and select the meeting request - the easiest way to do this is by clicking on the Subject header and sort by subject
  5. Verify that Att? field is True
    sort appointments by subject

  6. If you want to save all attachments or if you want to delete all attachments, Right-click on the meeting, and choose Attachments then Save attachments or Delete attachments.
    check attachments
  7. To review the attachments on the item, Right-click on the meeting, and choose Attachments then Display Attachments Table and verify what attachments are on the meeting and if you want to keep any.
    check attachment table
  8. If you want to keep some attachments, right click on each attachment you want to delete and choose Delete Attachment. Don't delete any attachments you need to keep on the meeting. If you need to delete multiple attachments, you can select then while pressing Ctrl or Shift then delete the group.
    delete attachments

More Information

How to use Outlook's VBA Editor

The Attachment Size Exceeds the Allowable Limit Error was last modified: August 12th, 2016 by Diane Poremsky

Related Posts:

  • Copy Selected Occurrence to an Appointment
  • Created date in table view
    Display the Created Date field of any Outlook item
  • Use VBA to check Outlook's outgoing messages for attachments and cance
    Do you want to send an attachment?
  • Create Outlook appointments using multiple recurring patterns

About Diane Poremsky

A Microsoft Outlook Most Valuable Professional (MVP) since 1999, Diane is the author of several books, including Outlook 2013 Absolute Beginners Book. She also created video training CDs and online training classes for Microsoft Outlook. You can find her helping people online in Outlook Forums as well as in the Microsoft Answers and TechNet forums.

Subscribe
Notify of
14 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Ninad (@guest_203886)
January 12, 2017 11:56 am
#203886

It worked for me........thanks a lot

0
0
Reply
Jody (@guest_200605)
August 11, 2016 6:53 pm
#200605

I am a little late to the party but this was helpful. I had to muddle through the MFCmapi program because some of the clicks have changed but I was finally able to cancel this meeting that has been haunting me for months

0
0
Reply
Jaz Gillon (@guest_191991)
July 20, 2015 7:41 am
#191991

Hi there, I was getting somewhat panicky having a 1000+ invitees on a particular Outlook 2007 Invite. Ended up using the MFCMapi method to check for attachments and it worked first time. Thank you very much for this excellent help!!!

0
0
Reply
Matt (@guest_191379)
June 18, 2015 5:24 pm
#191379

I tried using your script. I just get the message "This appointment has no attachments". I ended up using MFCMapi and that worked.

0
0
Reply
Rachel (@guest_190582)
April 27, 2015 12:55 pm
#190582

I have a user getting this error. "The attachment size exceeds the allowable limit." He just wants to cancel a specific date for a reoccurring meeting but when he tries he gets this error.

0
0
Reply
Diane Poremsky(@diane-poremsky)
Author
Reply to  Rachel
April 28, 2015 10:04 pm
#190630

There is an attachment or other data in the meeting that is triggering it. He'll need to edit it and remove the attachment(s) before cancelling. If he doesn't know which occurrences have the attachments, he can use mfcmapi to find it.

0
0
Reply
Bob Sheir (@guest_188653)
January 14, 2015 2:16 pm
#188653

Do you do online tech support.
How much is it if so?

0
0
Reply
Diane Poremsky(@diane-poremsky)
Author
Reply to  Bob Sheir
January 14, 2015 3:34 pm
#188655

I do offer online tech support - see https://shop.slipstick.com/services.asp for details.

0
0
Reply
James Kemp (@guest_180920)
December 18, 2013 3:01 pm
#180920

YOU ARE THE BEST :) Thank you!

0
0
Reply
Hadar (@guest_178081)
July 9, 2013 6:28 am
#178081

Thank you very much!!
You saved my day.

0
0
Reply

Visit Slipstick Forums.
What's New at Slipstick.com

Latest EMO: Vol. 30 Issue 15

Subscribe to Exchange Messaging Outlook






Support Services

Do you need help setting up Outlook, moving your email to a new computer, migrating or configuring Office 365, or just need some one-on-one assistance?

Our Sponsors

CompanionLink
ReliefJet
  • Popular
  • Latest
  • Week Month All
  • Use Classic Outlook, not New Outlook
  • How to Remove the Primary Account from Outlook
  • Disable "Always ask before opening" Dialog
  • Adjusting Outlook's Zoom Setting in Email
  • This operation has been cancelled due to restrictions
  • Remove a password from an Outlook *.pst File
  • Reset the New Outlook Profile
  • Maximum number of Exchange accounts in an Outlook profile
  • Save Attachments to the Hard Drive
  • How to Hide or Delete Outlook's Default Folders
  • Google Workspace and Outlook with POP Mail
  • Import EML Files into New Outlook
  • Opening PST files in New Outlook
  • New Outlook: Show To, CC, BCC in Replies
  • Insert Word Document into Email using VBA
  • Delete Empty Folders using PowerShell
  • Warn Before Deleting a Contact
  • Classic Outlook is NOT Going Away in 2026
  • Use PowerShell to Delete Attachments
  • Remove RE:, FWD:, and Other Prefixes from Subject Line
Ajax spinner

Recent Bugs List

Microsoft keeps a running list of issues affecting recently released updates at Fixes or workarounds for recent issues in classic Outlook (Windows).

For new Outlook for Windows: Fixes or workarounds for recent issues in new Outlook for Windows .

Outlook for Mac Recent issues: Fixes or workarounds for recent issues in Outlook for Mac

Outlook.com Recent issues: Fixes or workarounds for recent issues on Outlook.com

Office Update History

Update history for supported Office versions is at Update history for Office

Outlook Suggestions and Feedback

Outlook Feedback covers Outlook as an email client, including Outlook Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows clients, as well as the browser extension (PWA) and Outlook on the web.

Outlook (new) Feedback. Use this for feedback and suggestions for Outlook (new).

Use Outlook.com Feedback for suggestions or feedback about Outlook.com accounts.

Other Microsoft 365 applications and services




New Outlook Articles

Google Workspace and Outlook with POP Mail

Import EML Files into New Outlook

Opening PST files in New Outlook

New Outlook: Show To, CC, BCC in Replies

Insert Word Document into Email using VBA

Delete Empty Folders using PowerShell

Warn Before Deleting a Contact

Classic Outlook is NOT Going Away in 2026

Use PowerShell to Delete Attachments

Remove RE:, FWD:, and Other Prefixes from Subject Line

Newest Code Samples

Insert Word Document into Email using VBA

Warn Before Deleting a Contact

Use PowerShell to Delete Attachments

Remove RE:, FWD:, and Other Prefixes from Subject Line

Change the Mailing Address Using PowerShell

Categorize @Mentioned Messages

Send an Email When You Open Outlook

Delete Old Calendar Events using VBA

Use PowerShell or VBA to get Outlook folder creation date

Rename Outlook Attachments

VBA Basics

How to use the VBA Editor

Work with open item or selected item

Working with All Items in a Folder or Selected Items

VBA and non-default Outlook Folders

Backup and save your Outlook VBA macros

Get text using Left, Right, Mid, Len, InStr

Using Arrays in Outlook macros

Use RegEx to extract message text

Paste clipboard contents

Windows Folder Picker

Custom Forms

Designing Microsoft Outlook Forms

Set a custom form as default

Developer Resources

Developer Resources

Developer Tools

VBOffice.net samples

SlovakTech.com

Outlook MVP David Lee

Repair PST

Convert an OST to PST

Repair damaged PST file

Repair large PST File

Remove password from PST

Merge Two Data Files

Sync & Share Outlook Data

  • Share Calendar & Contacts
  • Synchronize two computers
  • Sync Calendar and Contacts Using Outlook.com
  • Sync Outlook & Android Devices
  • Sync Google Calendar with Outlook
  • Access Folders in Other Users Mailboxes

Diane Poremsky [Outlook MVP]

Make a donation

Mail Tools

Sending and Retrieval Tools

Mass Mail Tools

Compose Tools

Duplicate Remover Tools

Mail Tools for Outlook

Online Services

Calendar Tools

Schedule Management

Calendar Printing Tools

Calendar Reminder Tools

Calendar Dates & Data

Time and Billing Tools

Meeting Productivity Tools

Duplicate Remover Tools

Productivity

Productivity Tools

Automatic Message Processing Tools

Special Function Automatic Processing Tools

Housekeeping and Message Management

Task Tools

Project and Business Management Tools

Choosing the Folder to Save a Sent Message In

Run Rules on messages after reading

Help & Suggestions

Submit Outlook Feature Requests

Slipstick Support Services

Buy Microsoft 365 Office Software and Services

Visit Slipstick Forums.

What's New at Slipstick.com

Home | Outlook User | Exchange Administrator | Office 365 | Outlook.com | Outlook Developer
Outlook for Mac | Common Problems | Utilities & Addins | Tutorials
Outlook & iCloud Issues | Outlook Apps
EMO Archives | About Slipstick | Slipstick Forums
Submit New or Updated Outlook and Exchange Server Utilities

Send comments using our Feedback page
Copyright © 2025 Slipstick Systems. All rights reserved.
Slipstick Systems is not affiliated with Microsoft Corporation.

wpDiscuz

Sign up for Exchange Messaging Outlook

Our weekly Outlook & Exchange newsletter (bi-weekly during the summer)






Please note: If you subscribed to Exchange Messaging Outlook before August 2019, please re-subscribe.

Never see this message again.

You are going to send email to

Move Comment