Attach a File to an e-mail

All e-mail programs work the same way, but have some differences.  Here you'll find a generic way to attach documents, (spreadsheets, photos, or any other type of file) in most e-mail programs.  As usual, click the images to see them larger. The video file at the bottom will show how to attach in 3 of the most popular free e-mail providers: Yahoo! Mail, GMail, and Hotmail. Here are guides for Microsoft Outlook and for e-mailing a resume.

If you don't have one, sign up for an e-mail address. (If you are setting one up to send a resume, make sure you have a respectable e-mail address that won't hamper your job hunt.) Open your e-mail program, such as Outlook or Thunderbird.  Or, log in to your e-mail through a web browser if it's an online e-mail service.  Start a new e-mail. Do this by clicking on the New e-mail button (or use the drop-down menus), Write Message, or similar button, depending on your application to create a new e-mail message. Tell the computer who you want to send it to, by entering the e-mail address of the recipient into the address input box. It's usually marked To: or Subject. (Type carefully. You don't want to send some important files to the wrong person and find out too late. This is when an electronic address book is useful, because it will safe your addresses for you.) Type a subject in the Subject field. Add a message to the body of the e-mail as usual. Click on the Attach button, usually a paper clip, but sometimes something else. Alternatively you can use the drop-down menus.  Also look for an Insert File or Insert Attachment option in the File menu. Browse your files to find the attachment you want to send.  You may need to click on a Browse of Find button to see/find your directory. (Organizing your files well and using your desktop wisely help one find files faster.)   Click on the filename.  If your program allows you to attach more than one file at once, hold down the Control key (or Shift key on a Mac) as you select another one. Click the Attach Insert, Open button, or OK, depending on your e-mail program. To send another file from a different location, click the Attachments but-ton again and repeat the steps. Click Send when you are done. It's a good idea to follow up with a person to make sure really important e-mails were received. You can also visit your sent folders and make sure it's there, not stuck in drafts waiting to be sent. Drafts are were you save e-mails you are not ready to send yet, but it can become a trap of productivity if one mistaking-ly clicks on Save instead of Send.