How to Open Attachments in MSG Files Stored in SharePoint Online
Question details
The user needs a way to open email attachments that are embedded inside MSG files stored on SharePoint Online.
- Product
- SharePoint Online
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Viewing MSG files and their embedded attachments directly within a web browser.
- Observed behavior
- SharePoint Online can preview the MSG file body but fails to provide access to the embedded attachments, requiring users to download the file first.
Ensure you have the Microsoft Outlook desktop application installed on your computer, as you will need it to open the downloaded MSG file and access its attachments.
Download and Open the MSG File via Outlook Desktop
Since SharePoint Online does not support inline attachment extraction for MSG files, downloading the file locally is the official workaround.
Currently, SharePoint Online's file viewer can only preview the text body of MSG and OFT files. It lacks the functionality to extract or open embedded email attachments directly in the browser environment.
Navigate to the document library in SharePoint Online where the target MSG file is stored.
Click the three vertical dots (More actions) next to the MSG file and select 'Download' from the context menu to save it to your local computer.
Locate the downloaded file on your computer and double-click it. It will open in the Outlook desktop application, allowing you to access all embedded attachments normally.
Experience a Lightweight and Free Office Suite
While WPS Office does not function as an email client for MSG files, it serves as a powerful, free alternative for your daily document processing needs. Enjoy seamless compatibility with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats without the heavy resource requirements.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package.
- 2. Install the Suite: Follow the simple on-screen instructions to install WPS Office on your computer.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Use WPS Office to seamlessly view and edit your existing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open MSG attachments in OneDrive on the web?
No. Similar to SharePoint Online, OneDrive for Web uses the same file viewer and currently does not support extracting or opening attachments from MSG files directly in the browser.
Why does SharePoint preview the MSG file but not the attachments?
The built-in SharePoint file viewer is designed to render the plain text or HTML body of the email for quick reading, but it lacks the backend integration required to parse and serve embedded attachment files securely.
Is there any third-party add-in to view MSG attachments in SharePoint?
There are no official Microsoft add-ins for this specific browser feature. However, some third-party SharePoint apps available in the Microsoft store claim to offer enhanced MSG viewing capabilities, though downloading the file remains the most reliable free method.
