Office for Mac Issues

Fix Send Document Button Not Working in Word for Mac

Elise Williams Oct 12, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user cannot send a document via email directly from Word for Mac using the Quick Access Toolbar.

How to Fix the Send Document Button Not Working in Word for Mac

Product: Microsoft Word for Mac
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Attempting to share or email a document using the Send Document command on the Quick Access Toolbar.
Observed behavior: Clicking the Send Document button produces an alert sound but fails to open an email compose window.

Before you start

Ensure you have an active internet connection and that your preferred email account is fully set up and logged into your Mac's email application.

Solution 1Recommended

Configure a Default Email Application on Mac

Ensure that Microsoft Outlook or another compatible email client is correctly set as your macOS default email reader.

Microsoft Word relies on the system's default email reader to launch the compose window. If this setting is blank or misconfigured, clicking the send button will only trigger an error sound.

Open Apple Mail

Launch the default 'Mail' app from your Mac's Dock or Applications folder.

Access Mail Settings

Click on 'Mail' in the top menu bar and select 'Settings' (or 'Preferences' on older macOS versions).

Set Default Email Reader

Under the 'General' tab, locate the 'Default email reader' dropdown menu. Select Microsoft Outlook or your preferred email application.

Restart Word

Close the settings, completely quit Microsoft Word, and reopen it to test the Send Document button again.

Configure a Default Email Application on Mac

Configuration Complete: Setting a default email client resolves the majority of email integration issues within Office for Mac.

Solution 2

Update macOS and Microsoft Office

Install the latest updates for your Mac operating system and Microsoft Office suite to resolve known compatibility bugs.

Solution 3

Re-add the Send Command to the Quick Access Toolbar

Remove and re-add the Send Document command to ensure it is properly linked to the internal sharing function.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Document Sharing on Mac

If Microsoft Word for Mac continues to suffer from email integration bugs, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a highly compatible, free alternative that offers reliable document sharing features without the usual technical glitches.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free macOS installer.
2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx files.
3. Share via Email: Click 'Menu', select 'Share', and easily send your document through your Mac's email client.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx), Excel (.xlsx), and PowerPoint (.pptx) formats.Built-in robust sharing tools to easily send documents as email attachments.Lightweight design that runs smoothly on macOS with minimal resource usage.Familiar tabbed interface that requires zero learning curve for seamless migration.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Mac play an alert sound when I click Send in Word?

An alert sound on macOS usually indicates an error or a blocked action. In Word for Mac, this happens if a default email client is not properly assigned in the system settings, preventing Word from successfully launching a mail compose window.

Can I use Apple Mail instead of Outlook to send Word documents?

Yes, you can use Apple Mail. You just need to open the Apple Mail app, navigate to its Settings, and set Apple Mail as the 'Default email reader'. Word will then automatically use Apple Mail when you click the send button.

Does the 'Send Document' button attach the file as a PDF or a Word document?

By default, the 'Send to Mail Recipient' command on the Quick Access Toolbar attaches the current file in its native format, such as .docx. If you prefer to send it as a PDF, use the 'File' > 'Share' > 'Send PDF' option instead.

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