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How to Send PDFs by Email in Chrome or Edge
Question details
Users need a way to send PDF files as email attachments directly while viewing them in Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge web browsers.
- Product
- Web Browsers (Chrome/Edge) and PDF Viewers
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Trying to email a PDF that is currently open and being viewed inside a modern web browser.
- Observed behavior
- The built-in PDF viewers in Chrome and Edge lack a native "Send by Email" button because modern browsers no longer support the NPAPI plug-in architecture that older plugins used to provide this feature.
Ensure your default desktop email client (such as Outlook, Apple Mail, or Windows Mail) is properly set up on your computer, as most direct-sharing extensions and PDF desktop apps rely on this to compose outgoing emails.
Use a Browser Extension to Email PDFs
Install a dedicated PDF extension like the Adobe Acrobat extension to restore email functionality directly within your browser.
Since modern browsers use their own basic built-in PDF viewers that do not support email sharing, adding an official PDF extension is the best way to get this feature back.
Navigate to the Chrome Web Store or Microsoft Edge Add-ons store, search for a PDF reader extension (such as Adobe Acrobat), and click 'Add to Chrome' or 'Get'.
Once installed, ensure the extension is enabled in your browser settings to manage and view PDF documents.
Open your PDF in the browser. Using the extension's toolbar, locate the 'Share', 'Send as link', or 'Email' button to quickly send the document via your online account or default email client.
Open in a Desktop PDF Reader to Email
Download the PDF from the browser and open it in a desktop PDF application to use its native email sharing features.
Download and Attach Manually (Webmail Alternative)
If you use a web-based email service like Gmail or Yahoo, save the PDF to your local drive and attach it to your email manually.
Send PDFs by Email Effortlessly with WPS Office
If your browser lacks a built-in email button, downloading the PDF and opening it in WPS Office offers a seamless way to share. WPS Office includes a fully featured PDF reader and editor that connects directly to your default email client for quick sharing.
- 1. Download the PDF: Save the PDF you are viewing in Chrome or Edge to your computer's local drive.
- 2. Open with WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open the downloaded PDF file.
- 3. Click to Email: Navigate to the 'Menu' or 'Share' tab in WPS Office and click 'Email' to instantly generate a new message with your PDF attached.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the email button disappear from PDFs in Chrome and Edge?
Modern web browsers like Chrome and Edge dropped support for NPAPI (Netscape Plugin Application Programming Interface). Older plugins, such as the Adobe Reader plugin for Internet Explorer, relied on this architecture to integrate with desktop email clients directly from the browser window.
Can I send a PDF from Chrome if I use Gmail in the browser?
You cannot trigger Gmail directly from the browser's native PDF viewer. You must first download the PDF to your computer, open Gmail in a new browser tab, start a new email, and manually attach the saved file.
How do I set my default email client for PDF desktop sharing?
On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps. Look for the 'Email' section and select your preferred application (such as Outlook or Mail). Desktop PDF software will automatically use this default app when you click the 'Email' sharing button.
