VBA & Macro Problems

How to Automatically Email an Excel Attachment Every Two Hours

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to automate the process of sending a specific Excel workbook as an email attachment at recurring two-hour intervals.

Product: Microsoft Excel 2019
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Automating recurring email distribution for continuous data reporting or team sharing without manual intervention.
Observed behavior: The user wants to achieve an automated state where a script combined with a system scheduler dispatches emails containing the Excel workbook every two hours.

Before you start

Ensure you have Microsoft Outlook installed and configured with your email account on the computer, as the VBA script uses the Outlook application to send messages. Additionally, your Excel file must be saved as a Macro-Enabled Workbook (.xlsm).

Solution 1Recommended

Automate Email Sending using Excel VBA and Windows Task Scheduler

Combine a custom Excel VBA script to handle the email generation with Windows Task Scheduler to trigger the entire process automatically every two hours.

This approach requires creating a VBA macro that interacts with Outlook to create and send the email with the current workbook attached. After configuring the script to run when the workbook opens, you will set up Windows Task Scheduler to launch the file at the required intervals.

Write the VBA Email Macro

Open your Excel workbook, press ALT + F11 to launch the VBA Editor, and go to Insert > Module. Paste your email script utilizing the CreateObject("Outlook.Application") method to define the recipient, subject, and add the workbook path as an attachment using .Attachments.Add.

Trigger the Macro on Workbook Open

In the VBA Editor, double-click on 'ThisWorkbook' in the Project Explorer panel. Select 'Workbook' from the left dropdown and 'Open' from the right dropdown. Insert a command to call your email macro (e.g., Call SendEmail) so it executes automatically whenever the file is launched.

Save as a Macro-Enabled Workbook

Navigate to File > Save As, choose your desired folder, and select 'Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook (*.xlsm)' from the format dropdown menu to ensure your code is preserved and executable.

Create a Scheduled Task in Windows

Open the Start menu, search for 'Task Scheduler', and click 'Create Basic Task' in the right-hand Actions pane. Name your task and select 'Daily' for the initial trigger.

Configure the Two-Hour Interval

Double-click your newly created task to open its Properties, go to the Triggers tab, and click Edit. Check the box for 'Repeat task every', type '2 hours', and set the duration to 'Indefinitely'.

Set the Action to Open Excel

Go to the Actions tab, click New, and select 'Start a program'. Browse to select the EXCEL.EXE application path, and in the 'Add arguments' box, input the full file path to your saved .xlsm workbook in quotation marks.

Security Prompts: Depending on your Outlook and antivirus security settings, you may encounter a prompt asking for permission to send the email programmatically. You might need to adjust Outlook Macro Security or Programmatic Access settings to ensure fully seamless automation.

Efficient Spreadsheet Automation

Automate Your Workflow with WPS Spreadsheets

WPS Office provides a highly capable Spreadsheets application with robust VBA support. You can seamlessly write, edit, and execute macros to automate recurring tasks like email distribution through Outlook, completely free of charge.

1. Open Your Data in WPS: Launch WPS Office and open the spreadsheet you wish to automate.
2. Access the Developer Tools: Navigate to the Developer tab on the ribbon and click on 'Visual Basic' to open the built-in VBA code editor.
3. Insert the Outlook Automation Script: Go to Insert > Module, and paste your standard Outlook email automation script just as you would in Microsoft Excel.
4. Save and Schedule: Save the document as an .xlsm file and use the Windows Task Scheduler to automate its opening at your preferred intervals.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx and .xlsm) macro formats.Supports standard VBA syntax for creating automated email workflows.Lightweight application that runs smoothly alongside background task schedulers.Free to download with an intuitive, familiar tabbed user interface.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to keep my computer turned on for the scheduled task to run?

Yes. Windows Task Scheduler requires the computer to be powered on to execute the Excel application and send the email. Unless you configure the task to run whether the user is logged on or not (with stored credentials), you must also remain logged in.

Can I use an email client other than Outlook for this macro?

The specific CreateObject("Outlook.Application") method only works with Microsoft Outlook. If you want to use a different client or connect directly to an SMTP server, you will need to rewrite the VBA script using CDO (Collaboration Data Objects).

Why does my macro stop and wait for me to click 'Allow' before sending?

This is a security feature in Microsoft Outlook designed to prevent malicious scripts from sending spam. To fix this, you can ensure your antivirus software is updated and recognized by Windows, which often disables the prompt, or adjust the Programmatic Access settings in Outlook's Trust Center.

How do I stop the automated emails from sending every two hours?

To halt the automation, open the Windows Task Scheduler, find the task you created in the Task Scheduler Library, right-click it, and select 'Disable' to pause it temporarily or 'Delete' to remove it permanently.

Excel & Data Problems