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

Save and Open an Attachment using VBA

Slipstick Systems

› Outlook › Email › Save and Open an Attachment using VBA

Last reviewed on February 8, 2018     14 Comments

A visitor wanted to know how to save attachments and then open them without opening Windows Explorer to find the attachment. This VBA code is based on the code sample at our Outlook-Tips site: Save and Delete Attachments. We removed the lines that delete the attachment from the message and added the file path to the message body, using the file path to open the message using Window's ShellExecute command.

The macro at Save Attachments to the hard drive is the original macro this code was built from. It saves attachments on the selected messages but does not open them.

Save and Open Attachments VBA Sample

To use this code sample, open the VBA editor by pressing Alt+F11 keys. Paste the code into the ThisOutlookSession module. If it does not exist, create the directory path on your hard drive then update the code with the path.

Select one or more attachments and run the macro.

For more information, see How to use VBA Editor

Private Declare Function ShellExecute Lib "shell32.dll" Alias _
  "ShellExecuteA" (ByVal hwnd As Long, ByVal lpOperation As String, _
  ByVal lpFile As String, ByVal lpParameters As String, _
  ByVal lpDirectory As String, ByVal nShowCmd As Long) As Long

Public Sub SaveandOpenAttachments()
Dim objOL As Outlook.Application
Dim objMsg As Outlook.MailItem 
Dim objAttachments As Outlook.Attachments
Dim objSelection As Outlook.Selection
Dim i As Long
Dim lngCount As Long
Dim strFile As String
Dim strFolderpath As String
Dim strExePath As String

    ' Get the path to your My Documents folder
    strFolderpath = CreateObject("WScript.Shell").SpecialFolders(16)
    
    On Error Resume Next
    Set objOL = CreateObject("Outlook.Application")
    Set objSelection = objOL.ActiveExplorer.Selection

    ' Set the Attachment folder. (Folder must exist.) 
    strFolderpath = strFolderpath & "\OLAttachments\"

    For Each objMsg In objSelection
    Set objAttachments = objMsg.Attachments
    
    lngCount = objAttachments.Count
      If lngCount > 0 Then
        For i = lngCount To 1 Step -1
         strFile = objAttachments.Item(i).FileName
         strFile = strFolderpath & strFile
         objAttachments.Item(i).SaveAsFile strFile

    'use ShellExecute to open the file
    'this may not work with zip extension if you use Compressed folders
    ShellExecute 0, "open", strFile, vbNullString, vbNullString, 0
    
    Next
    End If
    Next
    
ExitSub:

Set objAttachments = Nothing
Set objMsg = Nothing
Set objSelection = Nothing
Set objOL = Nothing
End Sub

Use with 64-bit Outlook

To use this with 64-bit Outlook, replace the Declare line with this:

Private Declare PtrSafe Function ShellExecute Lib "shell32.dll" Alias _
  "ShellExecuteA" (ByVal hwnd As Long, ByVal lpOperation As String, _
  ByVal lpFile As String, ByVal lpParameters As String, _
  ByVal lpDirectory As String, ByVal nShowCmd As Long) As Long

Open hidden attachments on Outlook.com items

To use this to open hidden attachments on Outlook.com items, change the objMsg line to this:

Dim objMsg as Object

Use the Temp folder instead of My Documents, delete
strFolderpath = CreateObject("WScript.Shell").SpecialFolders(16)
and replace
strFolderpath = strFolderpath & "\OLAttachments\" with this:

strFolderpath = VBA.Environ$("Tmp") & "\"

 

Open ICS attachments and save to Calendar

This version of the macro is a run a script macro. It saves the attachment to the hard drive, open it (hidden), then saves it to the calendar and deletes it from the hard drive.

Public Sub SaveandOpenAttachments(objMsg As mailitem)
Dim objAttachments As Outlook.Attachments
Dim i As Long
Dim lngCount As Long
Dim strFile As String
Dim strFolderpath As String
Dim oAppt As Object

    ' Get the path to your My Documents folder
    strFolderpath = CreateObject("WScript.Shell").SpecialFolders(16)
    
    On Error Resume Next

    ' Set the Attachment folder. (Folder must exist.)
    strFolderpath = strFolderpath & "\Att temp\"

    Set objAttachments = objMsg.Attachments
    
    lngCount = objAttachments.Count
      If lngCount > 0 Then
        For i = lngCount To 1 Step -1
         strFile = objAttachments.item(i).FileName
         strFile = strFolderpath & strFile
         Debug.Print strFile
         objAttachments.item(i).SaveAsFile strFile

Set oAppt = Session.OpenSharedItem(strFile)
  oAppt.Close olSave

     ' should delete strfile too
   SetAttr strFile, vbNormal
    Kill strFile
  
    Next
    End If
    
ExitSub:
Set objAttachments = Nothing

End Sub

To test the run a script macro without sending yourself messages, use this stub macro. Select a message then run the macro. It calls the run a script macro, just as a rule would. You can also use this macro to run the script "manually".

Sub RunScript()
Dim objApp As Outlook.Application
Dim objItem As mailitem
Set objApp = Application
Set objItem = objApp.ActiveExplorer.Selection.item(1)

'macro name you want to run goes here
SaveandOpenAttachments objItem
End Sub

How to use the Macro

First: You will need macro security set to low during testing.

To check your macro security in Outlook 2010 and newer, go to File, Options, Trust Center and open Trust Center Settings, and change the Macro Settings. In Outlook 2007 and older, it’s at Tools, Macro Security. If Outlook tells you it needs to be restarted, close and reopen Outlook. Note: after you test the macro and see that it works, you can either leave macro security set to low or sign the macro.

Now open the VBA Editor by pressing Alt+F11 on your keyboard.

To put the code in a module:

  1. Right click on Project1 and choose Insert > Module
  2. Copy and paste the macro into the new module.

More information as well as screenshots are at How to use the VBA Editor.

More Information

To save and open specific attachment types (for example, only open doc and xls files) as the messages arrive, see Attachment: Print received attachments immediately. Change "print" to "open" in the ShellExecute line of that code:
ShellExecute 0, "print", sFile, vbNullString, vbNullString, 0
to
ShellExecute 0, "open", sFile, vbNullString, vbNullString, 0

Save and Open an Attachment using VBA was last modified: February 8th, 2018 by Diane Poremsky

Related Posts:

  • Save Messages and Attachments to a New Folder
  • Save and Delete Attachments from Outlook messages
  • Browseforfolder_2
    How to use Windows File Paths in a Macro
  • Use VBA to open Outlook messages stored in the file system

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

Davinder Singh (@guest_218534)
July 15, 2021 9:07 am
#218534

Thanks Diane. Can you please give some advise on how to automatically open a pdf attachment when it arrives from a specific sender? The pdf has a password (which is always the same and I can hard code that in the script). Thanks

0
0
Reply
Leonardo Buitrago (@guest_215135)
April 29, 2020 6:44 pm
#215135

Thanks Diane, please can you give me some advice, how can I modify the SaveandOpenAttachments() macro in order to work with the ActiveInspector Method?. I want to work with an Outlook item that is open an has focus. I read this https://www.slipstick.com/developer/outlook-vba-work-with-open-item-or-select-item/...but i´m so confused..help please.

0
0
Reply
Jaime Alegria (@guest_214121)
October 16, 2019 12:29 pm
#214121

Thanks a lot for sharing the code, It is amazing. I was able to use it and it is really fantastic!

0
0
Reply
Badan (@guest_203167)
December 1, 2016 2:45 am
#203167

Hi Diane and thank you for this excellent work! I have a problem opening accented characters of txt files in Excel. I think the issue is that the file is saved with utf-8 encoding. Is there a function in vba that upon saving of the txt file also changes its encoding to ansi or unicode? Thank you very much in advance!

0
0
Reply
David (@guest_201749)
September 21, 2016 4:54 pm
#201749

Not to worry, it worked perfectly. I guess the ActiveExplorer object saved the day.

0
0
Reply
David (@guest_201746)
September 21, 2016 4:25 pm
#201746

You are awesome, Diane. Thanks for this solution.
(Save Attachments with VBA)
My first implementation is a macro in OL launched using Developer.
Next, will be a macro in XL
Since my Spreadsheet has all the brains;
I'm worried since I'll have to CreateObject from XL, it won't know which item is selected.
Anyway, I'm on my way.
Hope you are well

0
0
Reply
Erik (@guest_197686)
April 6, 2016 9:59 am
#197686

Hello and thanks for the code.

Is it possible to save the edited file back to the mail programmatically?

I want to do the following:
select a task -> open the linked .msg-file -> make mail editable -> open the attached word-file -> ! from here on manually ! -> edit the doc -> save back to mail (on closing/automatically)

With your solution i'm able to open the word file, but if i close the file it won't save back to the mail automatically.
(It does, if i open it manually. So i guess Outlook itself opens it another way and i'd like to use this way..)

Do you have a hint for me?

0
0
Reply
Tony (@guest_188252)
December 18, 2014 3:06 pm
#188252

Very Nice!
I'm interested in saving an attachment based on the name in the subject line.
Do you have any links that I could use to find a method I could use?

0
0
Reply
Diane Poremsky (@guest_188321)
Reply to  Tony
December 29, 2014 1:17 am
#188321

You'd use objMsg.Subject in the string that creates the file name.

1
0
Reply

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

Latest EMO: Vol. 30 Issue 16

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
  • How to Hide or Delete Outlook's Default Folders
  • Reset the New Outlook Profile
  • Save Attachments to the Hard Drive
  • Add Attachments and Set Email Fields During a Mail Merge
  • Outlook SecureTemp Files Folder
  • Open Outlook Templates using PowerShell
  • Count and List Folders in Classic Outlook
  • 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
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

Open Outlook Templates using PowerShell

Count and List Folders in Classic Outlook

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

Newest Code Samples

Open Outlook Templates using PowerShell

Count and List Folders in Classic Outlook

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

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