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Fix Excel Share Option Not Sending Attached Files to Outlook
Question details
The user is attempting to share an Excel workbook via email using the built-in share option, but the generated Outlook message is never delivered and disappears completely.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel and Outlook
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Sharing an Excel workbook directly from the Excel interface as an email attachment through Outlook.
- Observed behavior
- Excel successfully creates an Outlook email draft with the attached workbook, but upon sending, the email fails to deliver and does not appear in the Sent Items, Drafts, or Outbox folders.
Verify that your Outlook application is properly configured with your active email account and is able to send and receive standard text emails without attachments.
Test and Disable Problematic Add-ins in Safe Mode
Running Excel and Outlook in Safe Mode helps identify if third-party add-ins are interfering with the file sharing feature.
Third-party add-ins in either Excel or Outlook can sometimes intercept or break the communication between the two applications. Testing in Safe Mode temporarily disables these add-ins.
Close both Excel and Outlook. Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog. Type 'excel /safe' and press Enter. Repeat this process by typing 'outlook /safe'.
In Excel (Safe Mode), open your workbook and attempt to use the Share option to send the file via Outlook again.
If the email sends successfully in Safe Mode, restart Excel normally. Go to File > Options > Add-ins. At the bottom, manage COM Add-ins and click Go. Uncheck add-ins one by one to isolate the culprit. Repeat this for Outlook if necessary.
Update Microsoft Office Applications
Outdated or mismatched software versions can cause communication failures between Excel and Outlook.
Attach the Workbook Manually in Outlook
A quick workaround to ensure your file is sent immediately while you troubleshoot the integrated share feature.
Switch to WPS Office for Seamless File Sharing
If Microsoft Excel continues to fail when sharing files through your email client, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative with built-in file sharing and email integration that works flawlessly.
- 1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for free from the official website and follow the quick installation prompts.
- 2. Open Your Workbooks: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and seamlessly open any existing .xlsx or .xls files without losing formatting.
- 3. Share Instantly: Click the Share button in the top right corner to instantly attach your document to a new email draft.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do emails sent from Excel disappear without showing in Sent Items?
This typically occurs when a background process crashes or a third-party add-in blocks the email handoff between Excel and Outlook, causing the message to be dropped before it reaches the Outbox.
Does the Excel share issue happen with all workbooks?
It can be specific to a single corrupted workbook or affect all files. Try creating a brand new, blank workbook and sharing it to determine if the issue is file-specific or application-wide.
Can I share Excel files without using Outlook?
Yes, you can upload your workbook to OneDrive or Google Drive and share a cloud link directly, or you can use a webmail service (like Gmail or Yahoo) to attach the saved file manually through your browser.
