When you insert attachments into Outlook.com email messages, you can either add the attachment as an attachment or link to a file in your OneDrive account. Images can be inserted inline (embedded) so they display in the message, or attached as files.
If you account is on the new Outlook.com server, you'll use the Attach button in the toolbar above the message header to insert links to files or attachment them directly, or to embed an image into the message body, click the image button in the toolbar above the message field.
If your account is still on the old server, these options are in the Insert menu in the button bar at the top of the window.
When you insert a File as an attachment, it's added to the message between the subject and message body, with large icons displayed. If you attach an image file as an attachment, a small preview thumbnail is shown in the attachment field. Links to OneDrive documents are shown under the signature.
Inserting Images inline adds the image to the message body, at the cursor position in the message body.
John Booze says
Hi Diane, can you help me with VBA code to be used in Outlook 2013. This is what I would like to do:
1. I will select Reply To All and then run the code.
2. The code will add an attachment, insert certain text to the top of the body of the email reply, and insert my signature under the text.
Please me know if you can assist with this or point me to a source that can?
Diane Poremsky says
I actually have macros that do all of that - just not in one macro. Start with this - https://www.slipstick.com/developer/vba-when-reply-is-clicked/ - there should be code for reply, reply all and forward but the macros are identical for each, just one word different in each.
I have several run a script macros for rules that show how to do the rest - like this one: https://www.slipstick.com/developer/run-a-script-rule-autoreply-using-a-template/
richard loftus says
windows 10 and can't insert a file from document into an email. When I open the file the whole email goes away
D Poremsky says
what browser are you using?
D Poremsky says
You can't insert from personal folders in Outlook and you can't drag from outlook to the message form in the browser. You could drag from outlook to a folder in windows explorer then drag it to outlook.com. Sorry.
I checked in both IE and Chrome, so changing the browser won't help.
JoJo says
Sorry for the delay in responding. I do appreciate your help, Diane. Well, I guess you've confirmed it can't be done. Thx again.
JoJo says
I thought Outlook.com was web-based (which is what I'm using) vs. Outlook 2013.
I am familiar with the steps you mention, which I did use with Outlook--just don't have that option with Outlook.com. Thanks for your help anyway!
D Poremsky says
Outlook.com is an email service like Gmail or yahoo. You can read your email using either a browser and log into outlook.com or you can set it up in outlook, thunderbird, the windows mail app or others.
I can either use the Insert button http://screencast.com/t/z1Y9yxFRQcN
or drag and drop anywhere on the outlook.com new message.
http://screencast.com/t/0HFOIEqzQ
What happens when you try to drag and drop?
JoJo says
Thanks for your reply. Pardon me for my tech naivete, but I am only using Outlook.com. So what I'm trying to do is just attach an email within Outlook.com to a message I'm sending from Outlook.com (via MSN). So I don't believe this qualifies as 'uploading mail created outside of the account,' does it?
D Poremsky says
Sorry, I misunderstood.
Are you using Outlook 2013 on the desktop? You can attach other email messages using drag and drop or the Insert > Outlook item button.
JoJo says
I'm using Outlook.com and I'd like to insert an Outlook email, say from one of my personal folders. I used to do this all the time on an older version of Outlook by simply dragging & dropping. But I can't seem to figure it out now. Thanks!
D Poremsky says
Outlook 2013 uses ActiveSync to sync with outlook.com and it doesn't currently support uploading mail created outside of the account. The old outlook uses the Outlook connector which used a different method to upload.
At this time the only way to upload mail is by using an imap account. You can have both an imap and EAS account in your profile. http://www.outlook-tips.net/outlookcom/configure-imap-accounts-outlookcom/
Frances says
I had the same problem, however if I save the document as a PDF file it seems to work again.
SYT says
I am unable to insert an attachment in my outlook email. Have NEVER had this problem before. Error says attachment is too big although it is simply an application for a golf tournament. I scan the application and now trying to email it. What is wrong?
D Poremsky says
It's likely the format of the scan is one that results in a file larger than you can send. What is the file extension and how big is the file?
If the message is stuck in the outbox, set outlook offline or disconnect from the internet, wait a few minutes and then delete it.
Usman Malik says
Hey i have this issue with outlook when insert an attachment it directly goes to the text area of the email and doenst show as an attachment when someone recives that email he cant open it i want my email to be sent in regular way please help
Diane Poremsky says
You are using RTF formatting in the message. Switch it to HTML or plain text and the attachment will be listed under the subject field.
gina says
I would like to be able to attach a file within the body of the email, like you used to be able to do in older versions of outlook. I wan the file to be open in the body. Can you still do this?
Diane Poremsky says
What type of email account do you have configured in Outlook? Do you want the file's icon to be in the message body, or the actual file used as the message body?
You can only insert text files or HTML in a message - use Insert > File then choose Insert as text by expanding the Insert button. Other file types are inserted as attachments.
Caroline says
I'm using Outlook.com but having the same issues as Gina. Previously I had the option to This option is no longer available! Often it is much more convenient to have an image of what I am talking about directly in my text, rather than expecting my recipient to open an attachment or click on a link. Removing this option is not an upgrade in my opinion.
Diane Poremsky says
Are you using the outlook.com web interface or Outlook on your desktop with the outlook.com account configured in it?
If using outlook.com on the web, is your account on the new server? Accounts on the new server can embed images - click the picture icon in the formatting bar above the message area.
You can also embed images if using Outlook with either server.
Doris Cox says
at the bottom of mail there is a pull up. You name the folders and they show on the list on the side where in box is=leftside. then you can slide over that name and it pops up unpin to view. The photos were gone. It did put a app on the main page but in shearching I found the mail/photos in the trash bin. I hope I have moved then to the desk top. I will see if I was able to move them to a file. I don't understand why they went to the trash bin.
Diane Poremsky says
I don't understand they they would have moved to the windows trash bin either.
Doris Cox says
I have a windows 8 . I used the file at the pull up at the bottom of the email page to put all my emails in. The file shows on the side where inbox is but you can not get it to show the emails when it says unpin to start. Can you help me? Doris Cox
Diane Poremsky says
I'm not sure I understand the problem. You moved mail to a different folder in outlook but when you unpin Outlook from Start, you can't find the mail?
Kevin says
to attach a file on out look 2013 when you are replying to an email it is very simple just click on pop ups and in insert attach your file to your email and click send it is very easy and simple, please let others know.
Frances says
If it was that simple Im sure we could all do it. But since Ive upgraded to Windows 10 this doesn't work anymore!
Diane Poremsky says
It's not working with the web interface? I know there are issues if using Outlook desktop and Windows 10 anniversary update (it's a bug affecting some people; Microsoft is aware)
Kevin says
Hello
That is not true in out look 2013 there is no insert from replying to an email. on new email under insert you can attached a file.
Diane Poremsky says
You need to pop out, or drag and drop the attachment. (As an FYI, this page is for Outlook.com, nee Hotmail, not Outlook 2013)