How to keep attachments when replying in Outlook?
In Microsoft Outlook, when you forward an email, the original attachments remain intact. However, when you reply to an email, Outlook automatically removes all attachments, assuming they are unnecessary in the conversation. This can be frustrating and inefficient, especially when you need to reference important files, resend documents, or keep attachments for better context. Fortunately, there are several ways to ensure attachments remain included when replying in Outlook, whether you prefer a manual, one-click, or automated solution:
Reply with Attachments by Manually Copying and Pasting (Basic & Tedious)
One-Click Reply with Attachments Using Kutools for Outlook π (Fast & Effortless)
Reply with Attachments Automatically Using VBA (Technical & Requires Setup)
Reply with Attachments by Manually Copying and Pasting
You can manually copy the attachments from an email and paste them into the reply message before sending it.
1. Open Outlook, select the email you want to reply to, and preview it in the Reading Pane or open it in a separate window.
2. Click on any of the attachments, then click Select All > Copy under the Attachments tab.
3. Click the Reply button to open a reply window.
4. In the reply message, click anywhere in the message body and press Ctrl + V or click Paste on the Message tab to insert the copied attachments.
5. Compose your reply, review the attachments, and click Send.
Limitations:
- Manual and repetitive: Not ideal for frequent use.
- Time-consuming: Requires extra steps each time.
- Prone to errors: You may forget to copy and paste the attachments.
π Effortlessly Save Attachments from Multiple Emails
Tired of saving attachments one email at a time in Outlook? Streamline your workflow with Kutools for Outlook! The powerful Save All (Attachments) feature lets you save attachments from multiple emails or entire folders in just a few clicks. Say goodbye to tedious manual processes and take control of your inbox effortlessly.

One-Click Reply with Attachments Using Kutools for Outlook π
For a quick and effortless way to reply with attachments, you can use Kutools for Outlook. The Reply with Original Attachment feature allows you to reply while keeping the original attachments with just one click.
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Select the email that contains the attachments you need to keep. Then click Kutools > Reply with Original Attachment or Reply All with Original Attachment.
That's it! The reply message will automatically include all attachments from the original email. Simply compose your message and click Send.
Why Use Kutools for Outlook?
- β Saves Time: No need to manually copy and paste attachments.
- β One-Click Solution: Instantly replies with attachments.
- β User-Friendly: Easy to use with no technical skills required.
Reply with Attachments Automatically Using VBA
For users comfortable with VBA scripting, this method automates the process of replying with attachments. However, it requires enabling macros in Outlook and manually adding the script.
Step 1: Open the VBA editor
1. Select the email message you want to reply to.
2. Press Alt + F11 to open the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications window.
3. In the left panel, expand Project1 > Microsoft Outlook Objects. Double-click ThisOutlookSession to open it.
Step 2: Insert the VBA code
Copy and paste the following VBA code into the ThisOutlookSession window:
Sub RunReplyWithAttachments()
'Update by Extendoffice 20250224
Dim xReplyItem As Outlook.MailItem
Dim xItem As Object
On Error Resume Next
Set xItem = GetCurrentItem()
If xItem Is Nothing Then Exit Sub
Set xReplyItem = xItem.Reply
CopyAttachments xItem, xReplyItem
xReplyItem.Display
Set xReplyItem = Nothing
Set xItem = Nothing
End Sub
Sub RunReplyAllWithAttachments()
Dim xReplyAllItem As Outlook.MailItem
Dim xItem As Object
Set xItem = GetCurrentItem()
If xItem Is Nothing Then Exit Sub
Set xReplyAllItem = xItem.ReplyAll
CopyAttachments xItem, xReplyAllItem
xReplyAllItem.Display
Set xReplyAllItem = Nothing
Set xItem = Nothing
End Sub
Function GetCurrentItem() As Object
On Error Resume Next
Select Case TypeName(Application.ActiveWindow)
Case "Explorer"
Set GetCurrentItem = Application.ActiveExplorer.Selection.Item(1)
Case "Inspector"
Set GetCurrentItem = Application.ActiveInspector.CurrentItem
End Select
End Function
Sub CopyAttachments(SourceItem As MailItem, TargetItem As MailItem)
Dim xFilePath As String
Dim xAttachment As Attachment
Dim xFSO As Object
Dim xTmpFolder As Object
Dim xFldPath As String
Set xFSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
Set xTmpFolder = xFSO.GetSpecialFolder(2)
xFldPath = xTmpFolder.Path & "\"
For Each xAttachment In SourceItem.Attachments
If IsEmbeddedAttachment(xAttachment) = False Then
xFilePath = xFldPath & xAttachment.Filename
xAttachment.SaveAsFile xFilePath
TargetItem.Attachments.Add xFilePath, , , xAttachment.DisplayName
xFSO.DeleteFile xFilePath
End If
Next
Set xFSO = Nothing
Set xTmpFolder = Nothing
End Sub
Function IsEmbeddedAttachment(Attach As Attachment)
Dim xAttParent As Object
Dim xCID As String, xID As String
Dim xHTML As String
On Error Resume Next
Set xAttParent = Attach.Parent
xCID = Attach.PropertyAccessor.GetProperty("http://schemas.microsoft.com/mapi/proptag/0x3712001F")
If xCID <> "" Then
xHTML = xAttParent.HTMLBody
xID = "cid:" & xCID
If InStr(xHTML, xID) > 0 Then
IsEmbeddedAttachment = True
Else
IsEmbeddedAttachment = False
End If
End If
End Function
Step 3: Run the VBA macro
1. Press F5 or click the Run button to execute the macro.
2. In the Macros dialog box, select ThisOutlookSession.RunReplyAllWithAttachments to reply to all or select ThisOutlookSession.RunReplyWithAttachments to reply to one recipient. Click Run.
Result
The reply window will open with all original attachments included. Simply compose your message and click Send.
Pros and Cons of the VBA Method:
- β Automated: No need to manually copy and paste attachments.
- β Requires VBA Knowledge : May not be beginner-friendly.
- β Macros are disabled by default : You must manually enable them.
Conclusion: Which Method Should You Choose?
Hereβs a comparison of the three methods to help you decide which one suits your needs best:
Method | Best For | Ease of Use | Efficiency |
---|---|---|---|
Manual Copy-Paste | Occasional use | ββββ | ββ |
Kutools for Outlook | Everyday use, non-tech users | βββββ | βββββ |
VBA Macro | Automation lovers, advanced users | βββ | ββββ |
For most users, Kutools for Outlook is the best option since it is the fastest and easiest way to reply with attachments in Outlook. Now, you can easily reply with attachments in Outlook using the method that best suits your workflow! π
Demo: One click to reply with attachments with Kutools for Outlook
Related articles:
- How to keep attachments when replying in Outlook?
- How to save all attachments from multiple emails to folder in Outlook?
- How to remove all attachments from email in Outlook?
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