Attachment Issues

How to Send a PDF Through Outlook Instead of Document Cloud

Algirdas Jasaitis Oct 23, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to attach an original PDF file directly to a Microsoft Outlook email rather than sending it as an Adobe Document Cloud sharing link.

How to Send a PDF Through Microsoft Outlook Instead of Document Cloud

Product: Microsoft Outlook
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to share a PDF document via email to a recipient.
Observed behavior: The system defaults to generating a Document Cloud link rather than attaching the actual PDF file to the email.

Before you start

Ensure that the PDF file you want to send is fully downloaded and saved locally on your computer's hard drive rather than just opened in a browser.

Solution 1Recommended

Manually Attach the Saved PDF in Microsoft Outlook

Bypass the automatic cloud sharing feature by manually inserting the local file into a new email from within Outlook.

The easiest way to prevent a PDF from sending as a Document Cloud link is to avoid using the 'Share' or 'Email' button inside your PDF reader. Instead, initiate the email directly from Microsoft Outlook.

Save the PDF Locally

Open your PDF, click 'File' > 'Save As', and choose a recognizable location on your computer such as your Desktop or Documents folder.

Open Microsoft Outlook

Launch the Microsoft Outlook application and click on 'New Email' located in the top-left corner of the Home ribbon.

Attach the File

In the new message window, click the 'Insert' tab, select 'Attach File', and click 'Browse this PC' from the dropdown menu.

Select and Send

Navigate to the folder where you saved your PDF, click on the file to select it, hit 'Insert', and send your email normally.

Manually Attach the Saved PDF in Microsoft Outlook

Direct Attachment Verified: You will know it worked when the PDF icon appears in the 'Attached' line below the subject field, showing the file size in kilobytes or megabytes.

Solution 2

Change Default Sharing Settings in Adobe Acrobat

Disable the automatic sending of Document Cloud links when using the 'Send by Email' feature within Adobe Acrobat.

Seamless PDF Management

Email PDFs Directly as Attachments with WPS Office

WPS Office features a robust built-in PDF reader and editor that allows you to easily share and email your PDF files as direct attachments, bypassing forced cloud links entirely.

1. Open the PDF in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open your desired PDF document from your local drive.
2. Access the Email Feature: Navigate to the top toolbar or quick access menu and click the 'Email' icon.
3. Send via Default Email Client: WPS Office will automatically open a new message in your default email client (like Outlook) and attach the actual PDF file directly.

Send PDFs directly as standard email attachments without forced cloud linksFully compatible with Microsoft Office formats and standard PDF viewingLightweight, fast, and free alternative for viewing and editing PDFs

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my PDF automatically send as a Document Cloud link?

Some PDF readers, like Adobe Acrobat, default to sending files as Document Cloud links (especially for large files) to save email server space and ensure smooth delivery. This default setting overrides the standard email attachment behavior.

Can I send large PDFs as direct attachments in Outlook?

Yes, as long as the PDF file size is under your email provider's attachment limit. For Microsoft Outlook and most standard email providers, this limit is typically 20MB to 25MB. If the file exceeds this limit, you must compress the PDF or use a cloud link.

How do I make Outlook my default email app for sending PDFs?

On a Windows PC, go to 'Settings' > 'Apps' > 'Default Apps'. Click on 'Email' and select 'Microsoft Outlook' from the list of available applications. This ensures that any 'Send via Email' commands from other software will launch Outlook.

Outlook & Email Problems