Fix Word for Mac Cannot Send Documents by Email
Question details
Users are unable to send documents directly from Word for Mac using the built-in email sharing features.
- Product
- Word for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Attempting to use the 'Send Document' or 'Send a Copy' feature under the Share menu in Word for Mac.
- Observed behavior
- The email draft fails to generate or the sharing action is ignored because an unsupported third-party email application, such as Spark Desktop, is set as the system's default email reader.
Ensure you have Apple Mail or Microsoft Outlook installed and configured with your email account on your Mac before proceeding.
Change the Default macOS Email Reader
Configure your Mac to use Apple Mail or Microsoft Outlook as the default email reader, which are fully supported by Word for Mac.
Word for Mac utilizes the default email reader configured in macOS to process the 'Send Document' and 'Send a Copy' commands. Unfortunately, it does not support several third-party mail applications like Spark Desktop.
Due to macOS system design, this system-wide setting must be modified directly inside the Apple Mail application, rather than through standard Mac System Settings.
Launch the Apple Mail application from your Mac's Dock or the Applications folder.
In the top menu bar, click on 'Mail' and select 'Settings' (or 'Preferences' on older versions of macOS).
Navigate to the 'General' tab. Locate the 'Default email reader' dropdown menu and change the selection to either 'Apple Mail' or 'Microsoft Outlook'.
Completely quit Microsoft Word. Reopen the application, open your document, and navigate to File > Share > Send Document to successfully email your file.
Share Documents Seamlessly with WPS Office for Mac
If you are frustrated by system quirks and email sharing limitations in Microsoft Word for Mac, switch to WPS Office. It is a highly compatible, lightweight, and completely free alternative that integrates flawlessly with your macOS workflow.
- 1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for Mac for free from the official website and install it.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Word (.docx) document.
- 3. Share Easily: Click the Share button in the top right corner or go to Menu > Share to quickly send your document as an email attachment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn't Word for Mac support third-party email apps like Spark?
Word for Mac relies on specific macOS native protocols and AppleScript hooks to hand off attachments. Many third-party email clients do not fully support these macOS-specific communication protocols, causing the handoff from Word to fail.
Can I change the default email reader from my Mac System Settings?
No. In macOS, the default email reader setting is uniquely managed within the Apple Mail application itself. You must open Apple Mail, go to Settings, and change it under the General tab.
What should I do if 'Send Document' is greyed out in Word?
If the option is greyed out, first verify that your document is fully saved either locally or to a cloud location. Then, ensure you have an active email account set up in your designated default email client (Apple Mail or Outlook).
