Fix Word for Mac Send Document to Outlook Email Not Working
Question details
The user is unable to send a document directly to Outlook from Microsoft Word for Mac using the File > Share feature.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Attempting to share a document directly via email from within Microsoft Word for Mac.
- Observed behavior
- The Send Document feature fails to open Outlook and attach the document, often because another email client like Apple Mail or Chrome is set as the default email reader on the Mac.
Ensure that both Microsoft Word and Microsoft Outlook are installed on your Mac, and that you are actively logged into your email account in the Outlook application.
Set Outlook as the Default Email Application
Microsoft Word relies on your Mac's default system settings to route documents to an email client. Changing the default mail reader to Outlook usually resolves the sharing issue.
If Apple Mail, Google Chrome, or another application is set as the default email client on your Mac, Microsoft Word will fail to hand the document over to Outlook.
Launch the default Apple Mail application on your Mac. Click on 'Mail' in the top menu bar and select 'Settings' (or 'Preferences' on older macOS versions).
Navigate to the 'General' tab. Look for the 'Default email reader' dropdown menu and change it from Apple Mail (or Chrome) to Microsoft Outlook.
Completely close Microsoft Word and reopen it. Go to File > Share > Send Document to verify that Outlook now opens with the document attached.
Update Microsoft Office Applications
Outdated software can cause communication and integration errors between Microsoft Word and Microsoft Outlook on macOS.
Reset Microsoft Word Preferences
Corrupted preference files might prevent Word from executing the share command properly. Resetting them can restore default functionality.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Document Management on Mac
If Microsoft Word for Mac continues to give you integration issues or heavy resource usage, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for creating, editing, and sharing documents on your Mac.
- 1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS website to download the free Mac version and complete the simple installation process.
- 2. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and open your existing .docx files directly without losing any layout or formatting.
- 3. Share with Ease: Use the built-in Share functionality in the top toolbar to quickly attach and send your document through your preferred email client.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does clicking Send Document in Word open Apple Mail instead of Outlook?
This happens because Apple Mail is currently set as your Mac's system-wide default email reader. You can change this by opening Apple Mail, navigating to Settings > General, and selecting Microsoft Outlook from the 'Default email reader' dropdown.
What should I do if the default email reader setting is greyed out in Outlook?
If you cannot change the setting directly within Outlook's preferences, you must open the native Apple Mail app, go to Settings > General, and change the default application from there.
Will resetting Word preferences delete my saved documents?
No, moving or deleting the 'com.microsoft.Word.plist' file only resets the application's interface and behavioral settings. Your personal documents and saved files will remain completely unaffected.
Can I share documents via email directly in WPS Office for Mac?
Yes. WPS Office includes a robust built-in sharing feature that allows you to quickly send documents as email attachments or share them via a secure cloud link directly from the editing interface.
