About attaching files and folders to messages

You can send files, folders, and aliases to other people by attaching them to a message. Recipients can open attachments, or save them on their computers

When you attach a file to a message, Outlook Express links the attachment to the original file as long as the original file remains on your computer. Any updates you make to the original file are included in the attachment when you send the message. If you delete the original file from your computer before you send the message, Outlook Express sends its stored version of the file with your message.

The Outlook Express message window includes an Attachments pane. If the pane is closed, you can open it to see a list of files attached to a message and a summary of settings for the attachments. You can click the summary to change these settings:

• Encode for   To travel over the Internet, file attachments generally must be encoded when they are sent, and decoded when they are received. With Microsoft Outlook Express, you can choose how to encode file attachments so that they can be decoded and opened by a recipient.
• Compression   Sending large files across the Internet can be slow, so you may want to shorten transfer time by compressing the files you attach. If you have Aladdin Systems StuffIt file compression software installed, you can compress files when you send them.
• Compatibility & Efficiency   Select the options you want depending on who is receiving your attached files. For example, when you send an attachment to a Windows-based computer, you can help the receiving computer recognize what type of file you are sending by appending Windows extensions to file names. You can also send an attachment only to recipients on the To line of a message and not to Cc and Bcc recipients.

Related topics

Attaching a file or folder to a message

Searching for a file to attach

About attachment encodings

Encoding an attachment

Compressing an attachment

Specifying a default encoding format

Specifying a default compression setting

Attach a file or folder to a message

1. In an open message, click Add Attachments.
2. Click the file or folder you want to attach, and then click Choose.

	You cannot attach a folder to a message unless Aladdin Systems StuffIt is installed on your computer.
	You can also attach a file or folder to a message by dragging it to the message window.

Related topics

Searching for a file to attach

Encoding an attachment

Compressing an attachment

Search for a file to attach

• In the Attachments pane of the message, click Find.

  If the Attachments pane is hidden, click the Attachments triangle.

Related topics

Attaching a file or folder to a message

About attachment encodings

About attachment encodings

When you choose an encoding format, it is helpful to understand how Macintosh files differ from files created on other computers. Macintosh files include additional resource information that files created on other types of computers do not. If you are sending a data file, such as a Microsoft Word document or Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, such resource information may not be necessary. However, if you are sending something more complex, such as a program, to another Macintosh computer, you must choose an encoding format that preserves all the data.

The AppleDouble encoding format preserves the additional resource information, and can be read by both Macintosh and other types of computers. AppleDouble is a good choice for your default encoding format; it works most of the time with most computers. However, if AppleDouble fails, you can choose a different encoding format depending on the type of computer you are sending the attachment to:

• To send an attachment to a Macintosh computer, use BinHex, which preserves the Macintosh resource information and data.
• To send an attachment to a Windows-based computer, use MIME/Base 64, which preserves the data only.
• To send an attachment to UNIX computer, use UUEncode, which preserves the data only.

Related topics

Encoding an attachment

Specifying a default encoding format

Specify a default encoding format

1. On the Edit menu, click Preferences.
2. Click the Compose tab.
3. Under Messages, click Click here for attachment options.
4. Under Encode for, click the option you want.

Related topics

About attachment encodings

Encoding an attachment

Encode an attachment

1. Attach the file you want to encode.
2. In the Attachments pane, click the summary below the Attachments list.

   If the Attachments pane is hidden, click the Attachments triangle.

3. Under Encode for, click the option you want.

	The encoding option you choose applies to all of the files attached to the message.

Related topics

About attachment encodings

Specifying a default encoding format

Compress an attachment

You can compress an attachment in Microsoft Outlook Express only if Aladdin Systems StuffIt file compression software is installed on your computer.

1. Attach the file you want to compress.
2. In the Attachments pane, click the summary below the Attachments list.

   If the Attachments pane is hidden, click the Attachments triangle.

3. Under Compression, click Macintosh (StuffIt).

	Compression applies to all of the files attached to the message.

Related topics

Specifying a default compression setting

Specify a default compression setting

You can compress an attachment in Microsoft Outlook Express only if Aladdin Systems StuffIt file compression software is installed on your computer.

1. On the Edit menu, click Preferences.
2. Click the Compose tab.
3. Under Messages, click Click here for attachment options.
4. Under Compression, click the option you want.

Related topics

Compressing an attachment

Specifying a default encoding format