How to Attach a PDF to an Outlook Email with a Keyboard Shortcut
Question details
The user wants to use a keyboard shortcut to quickly open a new Microsoft Outlook message with the currently viewed PDF automatically attached.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat / Microsoft Outlook
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Sending a PDF document directly from a PDF viewer to an email recipient via Outlook.
- Observed behavior
- The user is trying to replicate an older workflow (like Alt+F, L) in newer software versions to trigger the email attachment function seamlessly.
Ensure that Microsoft Outlook is installed on your computer, fully updated, and set as your system's default email client for these shortcut integrations to function properly.
Use the Built-in PDF 'Send File' Menu Shortcut
Trigger the built-in sharing feature in your PDF viewer using legacy keyboard menu navigation.
In many versions of Adobe Acrobat, you can still use sequence shortcuts to navigate the ribbon menu. If the exact keys have changed in the newest update, you can follow the underlined letters on your menu bar.
Launch your PDF viewer and open the document you want to send.
Press the Alt key on your keyboard to highlight the top menu ribbon.
Press F to open the File menu, then look for the underlined letter next to 'Send File' or 'Share' (often L or E) and press that key.
Select 'Attach to Email' and choose Microsoft Outlook. A new message window will instantly appear with your file attached.
Use the Windows 'Send to' Context Menu Shortcut
Quickly attach any PDF to a new Outlook email directly from your computer's file folders without opening a PDF reader.
Enable the PDF Maker Add-in for Outlook
Ensure the integration between your PDF software and Outlook is active, which is required for some advanced sharing workflows.
Easily Attach PDFs to Emails with WPS Office
WPS Office features a lightweight and highly compatible PDF tool that lets you instantly share PDFs via email. Without worrying about complicated add-ins or missing menu shortcuts, you can seamlessly send documents using your default mail client in just one click.
- 1. Open your file in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open the PDF document you need to email.
- 2. Locate the Share menu: Navigate to the 'Menu' button at the top left corner of the screen.
- 3. Select the Email option: Click on 'Share' and choose the 'Email' icon from the list of options.
- 4. Send via Outlook: WPS Office will automatically launch Outlook (or your system's default email client) with the PDF attached and ready to send.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn't the Alt+F keyboard shortcut work in my current PDF viewer?
Menu shortcuts often change when software interfaces are updated. If Alt+F no longer opens the 'Send File' option, the software may have moved this feature to a dedicated 'Share' button in the top right corner, or you may be using a modernized user interface that disables legacy menu accelerators.
How do I make Microsoft Outlook my default email client for PDF attachments?
Go to your Windows Settings, select 'Apps', and click on 'Default apps'. Scroll down to 'Email' and select Microsoft Outlook from the list. This ensures that any 'Mail recipient' or 'Send File' action from third-party apps automatically opens an Outlook window.
Can I create a custom keyboard shortcut to attach PDFs to an email?
While many PDF readers have fixed menu accelerators, you can often utilize the Quick Access Toolbar (QAT). By adding the 'Email' icon to your QAT, you can press the Alt key followed by the corresponding number key (e.g., Alt+1) to instantly attach the currently open PDF to an email.
