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Alternatives to Uploading MSG Files to Microsoft Forms

Nimra Malik Sep 30, 2026 868 views

Question details

The organization is seeking a simple alternative for submitting manager approvals because strict sensitivity labels prevent users from printing approval emails to PDF or uploading MSG files.

Alternatives to Uploading MSG Files to Microsoft Forms

Product: Microsoft Forms
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Collecting and submitting manager approvals through a form without violating mandatory corporate sensitivity and labeling policies.
Observed behavior: Users are unable to print approval emails to PDF or upload native MSG files to Microsoft Forms due to strict mandatory labeling restrictions.

Before you start

Ensure you have access to Microsoft Power Automate and verify that your organization's IT policies allow the creation of automated workflows across Microsoft 365 applications.

Solution 1Recommended

Implement an Approval Workflow using Microsoft Power Automate

Instead of requiring users to manually export emails or upload MSG files, automate the approval process by integrating Microsoft Forms with Power Automate.

By utilizing Power Automate, you can bypass the need for physical file attachments like MSG or PDF files entirely. The approval request is handled digitally through Microsoft Teams or Outlook, maintaining compliance with sensitivity labels.

Access Power Automate

Log in to your Microsoft 365 account, click on the App Launcher (waffle icon) in the top left corner, and open Power Automate.

Create a New Flow

Click on 'Create' in the left-hand navigation pane and select 'Automated cloud flow'.

Set the Trigger

Name your flow and search for the trigger 'When a new response is submitted' under Microsoft Forms. Select it and click 'Create'.

Configure Form ID

In the trigger setup, select your specific approval form from the 'Form Id' dropdown menu.

Add an Approval Action

Click 'New step', search for 'Approvals', and select the 'Start and wait for an approval' action. Configure it to route the request directly to the respective manager's email address.

Implement an Approval Workflow using Microsoft Power Automate

Community Support: If you need specialized guidance on advanced workflow design or handling specific sensitivity labels, consult the Microsoft Power Automate community forums.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Simplify Document Management with WPS Office

While Microsoft Power Automate is best for complex cloud workflows, WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and user-friendly solution for everyday document management, editing, and PDF conversion.

1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS website to download and install WPS Office for free on your preferred device.
2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Office and easily open your approval documents, spreadsheets, or exported PDFs.
3. Edit and Export: Use the robust built-in tools to annotate, edit, and export your files securely without complex setups.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).Built-in, advanced PDF editing and conversion tools that simplify document handling.Lightweight and free to use, featuring a familiar user interface for seamless migration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I upload MSG files directly to Microsoft Forms?

Microsoft Forms restricts the types of files that can be uploaded for security and compatibility reasons. Native Outlook Message (.msg) files are not currently supported as file upload attachments.

Why does mandatory labeling prevent printing emails to PDF?

Strict sensitivity labels applied by your organization often restrict data extraction or printing of protected content. This intentionally disables the 'Print to PDF' functionality to prevent data leaks.

Is it possible to bypass sensitivity labels to save an email?

Bypassing sensitivity labels typically requires administrative permissions and violates corporate security policies. It is highly recommended to use approved, automated methods like Power Automate to handle approvals securely.

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