Fix Broken Inline Images When Converting Outlook Emails to PDF
Question details
Users experience broken inline images when converting an Outlook email to PDF if the email was opened directly from an attachment.
- Product
- Microsoft Outlook
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Converting attached Outlook emails containing inline images into a PDF format.
- Observed behavior
- Inline images fail to render in the resulting PDF, instead appearing as attachment links or blank boxes with X marks.
Verify that your Microsoft Outlook application and PDF conversion software are fully updated to rule out known image rendering bugs.
Forward the Email to Your Inbox Before Conversion
Bypass the attachment rendering issue by forwarding the email to your own inbox before converting it to PDF.
When an email is opened as an attachment inside another email, Outlook may fail to properly resolve the Content IDs (CIDs) of inline images. Forwarding the message forces Outlook to download and render the images correctly in a standard message view.
Open the parent email containing the attachment. Right-click the attached message file (.msg) and select 'Forward'. Address the email to yourself and click Send.
Navigate to your main Inbox, locate the newly forwarded email, and open it. Ensure all inline images are fully loaded and visible on the screen.
Use your PDF conversion tool or the native 'Print to PDF' function within Outlook to convert the correctly rendered message.
Save the Attached Message Locally
Saving the attached .msg file to your hard drive helps the system properly locate inline image references.
Experience Seamless Document and PDF Handling with WPS Office
If you frequently encounter formatting errors and broken links in Microsoft Office, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides robust PDF conversion tools, high compatibility with Microsoft formats, and a lightweight design without the hefty price tag.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free version of WPS Office.
- 2. Open your document: Launch WPS Writer and open the document or text you wish to convert.
- 3. Export to PDF: Click on 'Menu' and select 'Export to PDF' to create a high-quality PDF with perfectly preserved images.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do inline images turn into red X boxes when converting emails to PDF?
This typically occurs because the PDF converter cannot correctly resolve the Content IDs (CIDs) or temporary reference links of inline images when an email is opened as an attachment rather than as a standard inbox item.
Does updating Outlook fix the broken image issue during PDF conversion?
Updating Microsoft Outlook and your PDF conversion software can resolve known rendering bugs, but using workarounds like forwarding the email or saving the message locally is often still required for nested attachments.
Can I use 'Print to PDF' instead of a PDF converter plugin?
Yes, using the built-in 'Microsoft Print to PDF' feature from the Outlook print menu often processes images differently than an external plugin and may successfully bypass the broken link issue.
