Fix Missing Email Text When Forwarding Scanned Documents in Outlook
Question details
The user needs to prevent email body text from disappearing when forwarding a scanned file through their email client.
- Product
- Microsoft Outlook
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Sending a scanned JPG document as an email attachment directly from Windows Fax and Scan using Outlook.
- Observed behavior
- The recipient receives the attachment, but the text typed into the email body is completely missing because Outlook sends an earlier, unsaved draft.
Ensure your Outlook client is updated to the latest build and verify whether your email profile is configured as an Exchange account.
Manually Save the Email as a Draft Before Sending
Saving the email before hitting send forces Outlook to synchronize your typed text with the attachment, preventing it from sending an empty draft.
When initiating an email directly from a third-party application like Windows Fax and Scan, Outlook may experience a syncing delay. This causes the client to send the initial blank draft generated by the scanning application instead of the finalized version containing your message.
Scan your document using Windows Fax and Scan and select the option to forward it as an email attachment.
When the Outlook compose window automatically opens, type your desired message into the email body.
Press 'Ctrl + S' on your keyboard, or click the 'Save' disk icon in the top left corner to manually save the email as a draft.
Once the email is saved, click the 'Send' button. The recipient will now receive both the text and the scanned attachment.
Switch to WPS Office for Seamless Document Management
If you are tired of synchronization issues and missing text bugs in Microsoft Outlook, WPS Office provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative. It offers built-in document sharing features that work seamlessly without frustrating sync errors.
- 1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free office suite on your computer.
- 2. Open your documents: Open your scanned JPGs, PDFs, or text documents directly within the WPS Office suite.
- 3. Share effortlessly: Use the built-in 'Share' feature to send your files via email with a stable, integrated process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my email text disappear when sending attachments from Windows Fax and Scan?
This happens because Outlook sometimes attempts to send an earlier, unsaved draft of the message generated by the scanning application, rather than the finalized version containing the text you just typed.
Does this missing text issue only happen with Microsoft Exchange accounts?
While it is frequently reported by users operating on Exchange accounts, it can occasionally affect other account types depending on how Outlook synchronizes drafts with external Windows applications.
Where can I find my Outlook version and build number for troubleshooting?
You can find this information by opening Outlook, clicking on 'File' in the top-left menu, selecting 'Office Account' (or 'Account'), and looking under the 'About Outlook' section.
