How To Attach A Folder To An Email? In-depth Guide

In modern communication, sending files and documents via email has become an essential component, whether it’s for work, school, or personal reasons.

However, attaching large files or multiple documents to a single email can be confusing and challenging.

To attach a folder to an email, you must first create a compressed file, also known as a zip file. The compressed file can then be attached to the emails as an attachment. The recipient can then extract the compressed file and maintain the folder structure.

This article will provide a step-by-step guide on attaching a folder to an email and making the process a breeze, so let’s dive right in.

Can You Attach a Whole Folder to an Email?

You can attach a whole folder to an email, but the method may vary depending on your email service. Here’s a short guide on how to attach a folder to an email:

1. First, compress the folder into a single file using a tool like WinZip, 7-Zip, Send to Windows compressed folder, or macOS’s built-in compress feature.
2. Create a new email message and click on the “Attach Files” or “Attach” button (the label may vary depending on your email service).
3. Navigate to the location of the compressed folder, select it, and click on the “Open” button.
4. The compressed folder will be attached to your email. You can now send the email as usual.

Note: Some email services may have file size limitations, so you may need to check the maximum attachment size allowed before sending the email.

How to Attach a Folder to an Email: 3 Quick & Easy Steps

The following step-by-step guide can help you attach a folder to your email quickly and easily:

Step 1: Zip the Folder

On Windows:

1. Right-click on the folder you want to zip.
2. Select “Send to” and then “Compressed (zipped) folder.” This will create a new zip file with the same name as your original folder.

On macOS:

1. Right-click on the folder you want to zip.
2. Select “Compress [folder name].” This will create a new zip file named “[folder name].zip.”

Step 2: Attach it to Your Email

On Gmail:

1. Click the “Compose” button to create a new email.
2. Click on the “Attach files” button (it looks like a paper clip) at the bottom of the email composition window.
3. Select the zip file you created in Step 1 and click “Open.”
4. The file will be attached to the email. You can then add recipients and any other necessary information and send the email.

On Outlook:

1. Click the “New Email” button to create a new email.
2. Click on the “Attach File” button (it looks like a paper clip) at the top of the email composition window.
3. Select the zip file you created in Step 1 and click “Insert.”
4. The file will be attached to the email. You can then add recipients and any other necessary information and send the email.

On Yahoo:

1. Click the “Compose” button to create a new email.
2. Click on the “Attach” button (it looks like a paper clip) at the bottom of the email composition window.
3. Select the zip file you created in Step 1 and click “Open.”
4. The file will be attached to the email. You can then add recipients and any other necessary information and send the email.

Step 3: Send it!

Once you have attached the zip file to the email and filled in all necessary information (such as recipients and a subject), you can click the “Send” button to send the email.

The zip file will be sent as an attachment along with the email.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why Can’t You Attach a Folder to an Email?

Many email clients don’t allow attaching a folder directly to an email because operating systems don’t consider folders as single files.

Therefore, they can’t be sent as an attachment in their original form. Instead, to send a folder over email, you need to compress it into a single file, known as zipping.

Zipping a folder compresses it into a smaller, more manageable file that can be easily attached to an email. Some email clients also have file size limits, and zipping a folder can help to reduce the file size.

How Do I Attach a Folder to an Email Without Zipping It?

As mentioned, you can’t attach a folder directly to an email without zipping it.

However, some email clients offer cloud integration, allowing you to upload files and folders to the cloud and then share a link to them via email.

Popular cloud storage services that offer this feature include Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox. Here’s a short guide on how to share a folder using cloud storage:

1. Upload the folder to the cloud storage service.
2. Share the link to the folder via email.
3. The recipient can then access the folder using the link.

Note: The recipient must have access to the same cloud storage service that you used to upload the folder. They should either create an account or use a different method to access the folder if they don’t have access.

How Do I Select All Files in a Folder to Attach to an Email?

Selecting all files in a folder can help you attach them to an email more quickly. Here’s how to do it:

On Windows:

1. Open the folder containing the files you want to attach.
2. Press “Ctrl + A” on your keyboard to select all the files in the folder.
3. Right-click on any selected files, choose “Send to,” and then “Mail recipient.” This will create a new email with all the selected files attached.

On macOS:

1. Open the folder containing the files you want to attach.
2. Press “Command + A” on your keyboard to select all the files in the folder.
3. Right-click on any selected files, choose “Share,” and then “Mail.” This will create a new email with all the selected files attached.

Note: The method of attaching files may vary depending on your email client.

Conclusion

Attaching a folder to an email is a simple task once you know the steps involved.

Following the instructions above, you can easily attach and send multiple files and docs in one go, saving you time and effort. This skill is crucial in today’s digital world, whether you’re sending files for work, school, or personal reasons.

If you’re wanting to send a large video file located in the folder you might be best using a different option. Check out my other article How To Email a Large Video an Easy Guide.

Next time you need to send a folder via email, follow these steps and send it away confidently!