Excel Error Codes

Fix Excel General Mail Failure When Sharing a Workbook

John Wilson Oct 15, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to share or email an Excel workbook stored in OneDrive due to a General Mail Failure error message.

Fix Excel General Mail Failure When Sharing Workbooks

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Attempting to use the built-in Share or email function in Excel for a cloud-stored workbook.
Observed behavior: Excel blocks the sharing process and displays a General Mail Failure popup, even after applying standard updates.

Before you start

Verify that your internet connection is stable, OneDrive is fully synced, and you have a dedicated email client like Microsoft Outlook installed on your computer.

Solution 1Recommended

Set Outlook as the Default Mail Application

Configuring Outlook as the primary mail handler in Windows resolves communication errors between Excel and your email client.

Excel relies on Windows system settings to determine which application should handle outgoing emails. If the default app protocols are unassigned or assigned to a different program, the Share function will fail.

Open Windows Default Apps

Click the Start menu, type 'Default apps' in the Windows Search bar, and press Enter to open the settings page.

Locate Mail Settings

In the 'Search apps' field, type 'Mail' and select it from the list of installed applications.

Assign Outlook to Mail Protocols

Review the file types and protocols (like MAILTO). Click on any that are not assigned to Outlook, and choose Outlook from the popup list to set it as the default.

Restart Your Device

Restart your Windows computer to ensure the new default app configurations are fully applied to the system registry.

Test the Excel Share Feature

Open your Excel workbook in OneDrive and try sending it as an email attachment again.

Set Outlook as the Default Mail Application

App Verification: Ensure you are selecting the desktop version of Outlook rather than the web-based Outlook progressive web app (PWA).

Solution 2

Perform an Online Repair of Office

Use this method if the default app settings are correct but the integration between Excel and Outlook remains broken.

Solution 3

Isolate the Issue to a Specific Workbook

Determine whether the error is a system-wide application failure or a corruption specific to one Excel file.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Excel show a General Mail Failure error?

This error typically occurs when the Windows operating system cannot identify a default email client, or when the registry keys connecting Microsoft Office to your mail application (like Outlook) are corrupted or misconfigured.

Can I share an Excel file without using the built-in email button?

Yes. Instead of using the in-app email function, you can save your workbook to your computer or OneDrive, open your email client manually, create a new message, and attach the file.

How do I share a OneDrive link instead of an email attachment?

In Excel, click the Share button in the top right corner, select 'Copy Link' instead of 'Send a Copy', and paste the generated URL directly into your email, Teams, or messaging app.

Does reinstalling Office fix the General Mail Failure?

Reinstalling or performing an Online Repair of Office can fix corrupted registry keys causing the error. However, if the issue stems from Windows Default App settings, a reinstallation will not resolve the problem until Outlook is properly assigned as the default mail handler.

Microsoft Office Error Codes