The basic way to attach a file

To attach a file to an email, look for a paperclip icon or an "Attach" button in your email program. Click it, then find the file on your computer and select it. The file name will appear in your email, usually near the bottom or in a separate attachments area. Once you've added what you need, send the email as normal.

The exact location of the attach button depends on which email service you use. Gmail puts it below the compose box. Outlook has it in the toolbar at the top. Yahoo Mail shows it as a paperclip near the message text. But the process is always the same: click the button, pick your file, and it attaches.

You can attach multiple files at once. After you click the attach button the first time, click it again to add another file. Most email services let you add as many files as you want, though there are size limits — usually between 20 and 25 megabytes total per email.

Key Takeaways

  • Click the paperclip or "Attach" button in your email program, then select the file from your computer.
  • You can attach multiple files by clicking the attach button more than once.
  • Most email services limit attachments to 20 to 25 megabytes total, so very large files may not send.
  • If a file is too large, you can compress it or use a file-sharing service like Google Drive instead of attaching it directly.
  • Always check that the file actually attached before you send — look for the file name in the attachments area.

Where to find the attach button in each email service

Gmail: Open a new email. Below the compose box, you'll see a paperclip icon on the left side. Click it to browse your computer for files.

Outlook (web version): In the toolbar above your message, look for a paperclip icon or the word "Attach". Click it and select "Browse this computer" to find your file.

Yahoo Mail: Below the message text box, you'll see a paperclip icon. Click it to open the file browser.

Apple Mail (on Mac or iPhone): Tap or click the paperclip icon in the toolbar. On iPhone, you may need to tap the arrow or plus sign first to see more options.

How to attach files from cloud storage instead

If your file is already stored in Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, or iCloud, you don't have to read it first. Most email services let you attach directly from cloud storage. In Gmail, click the paperclip, then look for "Google Drive" as an option. In Outlook, you'll see "OneDrive" or "This PC" — choose the cloud service where your file lives.

Attaching from cloud storage is useful when your file is too large to email directly. Instead of attaching the file itself, you're attaching a link that the recipient can click to view or read it. This also means you can update the file later, and the recipient will see the newest version.

What to do if your file is too large to attach

Email services reject attachments larger than their size limit, usually 20 to 25 megabytes. If you get an error saying your file is too large, you have two options: compress the file or use a link instead.

To compress a file on Windows, right-click it, select "Send to," then choose "Compressed (zipped) folder." On Mac, right-click the file and select "Compress." The compressed version will be smaller, though it may still exceed the limit if the original file was very large.

The easier solution is to upload the file to Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox, then attach a link instead of the file itself. The recipient clicks the link to access the file without it taking up email space. This also works well if you're sending to multiple people — they all get the same link rather than separate copies of the file.

How to make sure your attachment actually sent

Before you click send, look at the attachments area of your email. You should see the file name listed there. If you don't see it, the file didn't attach — click the attach button again and select it.

After you send, some email services show a confirmation message. Gmail displays a small checkmark next to the message in your sent folder if an attachment was included. If you're not sure, open the sent email and check that the attachment is still there.

If the recipient says they didn't receive the attachment, ask them to check their spam or junk folder — sometimes emails with attachments get filtered there by mistake. You can also resend the email with the file attached again.

Attaching files on your phone or tablet

On a phone or tablet, the process is similar but the buttons look different. In Gmail on your phone, open a new email, tap the paperclip icon at the bottom, then select "Attach file." You'll see your phone's file browser — navigate to the file and tap it.

On iPhone with Apple Mail, tap the arrow or plus icon in the compose area, then look for "Add Attachment" or a paperclip option. On Android with Gmail, the paperclip appears at the bottom of the compose screen.

Phone email apps often let you attach photos directly from your camera roll or gallery without browsing your files. Look for a camera icon or "Photos" option when you tap the attach button — this is faster than finding the file in your storage.

Avoiding common attachment mistakes

The most common mistake is forgetting to attach the file after you mention it in the email. If your message says "I've attached the document" but you haven't actually clicked attach, the recipient will notice. Before you send, always verify that the file appears in the attachments area.

Another mistake is attaching the wrong file. Double-check the file name before you send. If you realize after sending that you attached the wrong thing, send a follow-up email with the correct file and ask the recipient to ignore the first one.

Don't attach files that contain sensitive information like passwords, Social Security numbers, or financial account details. If you must send this information, use a find file-sharing service that requires a password to access, or call the person instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I attach a file that's on my phone to an email?

Yes. On your phone, open the email app, start a new message, tap the attach button (usually a paperclip), then select the file from your phone's storage or camera roll. The process is the same as on a computer, just with a smaller screen.

What happens if I attach a file and then delete it from my computer?

The attachment stays in the email — deleting the original file doesn't affect what you've already sent. However, if you attached a link to a cloud file instead of the file itself, and then delete the cloud file, the recipient won't be able to access it anymore.

Is there a limit to how many files I can attach to one email?

You can attach as many files as you want, but the total size of all attachments combined usually can't exceed 20 to 25 megabytes. If you need to send many large files, split them into separate emails or use a file-sharing service instead.

Why does my attachment show as a different file name after I send it?

Some email services rename attachments or change how they display them. The file itself is unchanged — the recipient will see the original file name when they read it. If the name looks wrong in the email preview, check the actual file name when you read it.

Can I attach a file that someone else sent me?

Yes. You can forward an email with an attachment, or you can read the attachment and attach it to a new email. Forwarding is faster if you want to send the same file to someone else.