How to Fix Adobe Acrobat Email Attachment Problems with Outlook on macOS
Question details
The user is unable to send online PDFs directly as Outlook attachments from Adobe Acrobat on macOS.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat 2018
- Device & OS
- macOS High Sierra
- Scenario
- Attempting to email an online PDF directly via the 'Attach to Email' feature in Acrobat using Outlook on a Mac.
- Observed behavior
- Acrobat fails to send the PDF as an email attachment unless the user manually saves the file to their local drive first.
Ensure that you have your Apple Mail and Microsoft Outlook account credentials handy, and save any open documents before restarting your Mac.
Update Adobe Acrobat and Set Outlook as the Default Mail Client
Updating the software and ensuring macOS recognizes Outlook as your default email client often resolves the 'Attach to Email' failure.
Acrobat relies on the macOS system defaults to trigger the correct email application. If the Apple Mail app is still configured as the system default, the 'Attach to Email' feature may fail to communicate with Outlook properly.
Open Adobe Acrobat on your Mac. Navigate to the 'Help' menu at the top of the screen and select 'Check for Updates'. Install any available patches.
Open the built-in 'Mail' app on your Mac. Go to 'Mail' > 'Preferences' from the top menu bar, and click the 'General' tab.
Find the 'Default email reader' dropdown menu and change it from 'Mail' to 'Microsoft Outlook'.
Restart your computer to apply the system changes, then open Acrobat and try sending the PDF again.
Save the Online PDF Locally Before Attaching
If the direct email feature continues to fail, saving the file locally acts as a reliable temporary workaround.
Easily Edit and Email PDFs with WPS Office
Avoid attachment glitches by using WPS Office, a comprehensive suite that includes a powerful PDF tool. You can open, edit, and share PDFs directly via email without workflow interruptions.
- 1. Open your PDF: Launch WPS Office on your Mac and open your PDF document.
- 2. Click Share: Navigate to the top toolbar and click the 'Share' or 'Email' button.
- 3. Send via Email: Select 'Email as Attachment' to automatically draft a new email in your default client with your PDF attached.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why won't Adobe Acrobat attach my PDF to an Outlook email on Mac?
This usually happens due to outdated software versions, integration bugs between Acrobat and Outlook, or if the Apple Mail app is still set as the system's default email reader instead of Outlook.
How do I make Microsoft Outlook my default email client on macOS?
Open the built-in Apple 'Mail' app, go to 'Mail' > 'Preferences', click the 'General' tab, and change the 'Default email reader' dropdown from Mail to Microsoft Outlook.
Can I send an online PDF without saving it first?
Yes, if the 'Attach to Email' feature is functioning correctly, Acrobat downloads a temporary copy and attaches it. If it fails, updating your software or using a workaround (like saving locally via File > Save As) is necessary.
