How to Fix Send to Mail Recipient Command Missing in Word or Excel
Question details
The user is unable to find the Send to Mail Recipient command to embed a document directly into an email, as it appears missing or renamed.
- Product
- Microsoft Word and Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Trying to embed the actual contents of a document into the body of an email instead of sending it as a standard file attachment.
- Observed behavior
- The command is either not visible in the Quick Access Toolbar, named differently depending on the Office version, or completely unavailable.
Ensure that a desktop email client, such as Microsoft Outlook, is installed and configured as the default email application on your computer.
Add the Command from the Quick Access Toolbar Settings
Manually locate and add the hidden mail command to your Quick Access Toolbar for easy access.
Microsoft often hides less frequently used commands in newer versions of Office. You can restore this function by digging into the advanced toolbar settings.
Click the small down arrow at the very top of your Word or Excel window (the Quick Access Toolbar) and select 'More Commands' from the drop-down menu.
In the Word/Excel Options dialog box, change the 'Choose commands from' dropdown menu to 'All Commands' or 'Commands Not in the Ribbon'.
Scroll down the alphabetical list and look for 'Send to Mail Recipient'. If you cannot find it, look for 'Mail Recipient' instead, as the name varies by version.
Click on the command to highlight it, click the 'Add >>' button to move it to your toolbar list on the right, and then click 'OK' to save your changes.
Create a VBA Macro Shortcut
Use a simple VBA macro to trigger the embedded email function if the command is completely removed from your specific Office version.
Easily Share Documents via Email with WPS Office
Skip the complex ribbon configurations and VBA macros. WPS Office offers a highly intuitive, built-in email sharing feature that seamlessly integrates with your default mail client to send documents instantly.
- 1. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Office and open the text document or spreadsheet you wish to share.
- 2. Access the Share Menu: Click on the 'Menu' button located at the top-left corner of the workspace.
- 3. Select Email Options: Hover over 'Share' and select 'Email' from the context menu.
- 4. Send Your File: Your default email client will automatically open a new draft with your document ready to be sent to your recipients.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Email command and Send to Mail Recipient?
The standard 'Email' command creates a new message and attaches your document as a separate file (like a PDF or DOCX attachment). The 'Send to Mail Recipient' command actually embeds the text or spreadsheet data directly into the body of the email, allowing the recipient to read it without opening an attachment.
Why does the command have a different name in my version of Word?
Microsoft frequently updates the user interface and terminology across its Office suite. Depending on whether you are using Office 2016, 2019, or Microsoft 365, the command may be listed as 'Mail Recipient', 'Send to Mail Recipient', or feature slightly different wording in its ScreenTip.
Does the Send to Mail Recipient feature work with Gmail or Yahoo Mail?
By default, this feature requires a locally installed desktop email client (such as Microsoft Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird, or Apple Mail) configured as the default mail app on your operating system. It does not interface directly with web browser-based email portals.
