Follow these simple guidelines for attaching files to email.
1. First and foremost, pay attention to the size of the files you are sending. As a rule of thumb, try not to send files larger than 750 kilobytes per email. If your files are larger than this, use a compression program like WinZip to make them smaller.
2. Be cognizant of what types of files you are sending. Sending files that are ‘generic’ in format will ensure readability for your recipient.
| Type of file | Optimum Format |
| Text | ASCII, Rich text format or Word 2.0 |
| Image | JPEG |
| Spreadsheet | Excel 4 or 5 |
| Database | Text & commas format |
Lastly, make sure you know where the files are saved so that you can quickly navigate to them for attaching.
To send a picture, word processing document, spreadsheet or any other file via email, you must ‘attach’ it to the message. Here’s how:
Outlook Express
- Start, address and write any notes you want on an email as normal
- Click on the Attach button (or Insert –> file attachment from menus)
- Click in the Look in box and find the folder where the file is stored
- Double-click on the file you want to attach
AOL
- Start, address and write any notes you want on an email as normal
- Click on the Attachments button
- Click on Attach from the next window
- Click in the Look in box and find the folder where the file is stored
- Double-click on the file you want to attach
- Click OK
Related articles:
- How to Email Your Digital Photos
- AOL Users – Find your downloads
- How to attach iPhoto images to Gmail & Yahoo Mail – Video Tip
- Be courteous with your attachments
- Opening PPS (PowerPoint) files in Outlook Express
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