Email messages are text. To send other kinds of file, such as graphics, word processed documents, spreadsheets, and so on, you need to use attachments. You can attach any file that your browser can access, for example on a local USB drive or hard disk, within certain size restrictions (see Frequently Asked Questions). In order to be able to read the attachment, the receiver needs to have appropriate software to read the file. For example, if you send a Word 2003 document, they will need to use Word 2003, or another application which understands Word 2003 file format, to read it. Some email servers will not accept attachments which they consider risky, such as executable files, so it is best to check with the recipient before sending.
To send a message with an attachment, begin by starting to compose a new message as
normal. Then click on the paperclip icon at the top of the screen, or the
attachments link (see Figure 11, Attach files icon).
Next click on
Browse on the left hand side of the resulting screen
(Figure 12, Browse to file(s)). This will open a dialog box where you can browse the
available drives and folders to choose the file you want to attach. Once you have
located the file, click
Open. The file name now appears in the
attachment box, click
Attach to upload the file ready for sending.
The name of the file, and its size, will now appear in the list of Attachments, in the
main part of the screen (Figure 13, Attach files). You can add further
attachments in the same way. If you wish to remove an attachment, click the checkbox
next to it and then click
When you receive a message with an attachment, a small paperclip icon appears next to the message in your inbox. When you open the message, you will see a list of attached files at the top of the message (e.g. see Figure 14, Message with attachments).
To view an attached file, click its name in the attachments list. You may be given some information about the dangers of downloading unknown files from the network. If you do decide to go ahead, you can either save the file, or choose to open it now. If you open it now, your browser will attempt to find an appropriate application based on the filename.
If you want to save the file after you have opened it, use the application's
[File/Save As...] command to put it in an appropriate location. Do not
[File/Save] because the Browser will then choose its own location and you
will not know which drive and folder the file has been saved to!
Some attachments can be viewed as a webpage, by clicking on the link
Webpage next to the name of the file. This is particularly useful if you are
using a computer which does not have the appropriate application, such as Microsoft Word
or Adobe Acrobat, installed. It is also a safer way to view potentially harmful
attachements, but you should never open any type of attachment, even from someone you
trust, unless you are expecting it.
In this case, you will see a notification at the top of the message, informing you of the name of the blocked attachment (e.g. see Figure 15, Message with blocked attachment).