how to insert an email into another email in outlook

You can insert (attach) an email into another email in Outlook by treating the original message as an attachment rather than forwarding it.

Desktop Outlook – fastest methods

1. Drag-and-drop (works in New Outlook and classic)

1. Open Outlook and go to your Inbox (or the folder with the email you want to attach).

2. Start a new email (New Email) or open a reply/forward window.

3. Arrange windows side by side so you can see:
   • Your message list
   • The new message you’re composing.

4. Click the email you want to insert, hold the mouse button, and drag it into the body of the new email (or near the “To/Subject” area).

5. Release the mouse; the email appears as an attachment (usually with an envelope icon and .msg extension).

This also works for multiple emails if you select several messages and drag them all at once.

2. Using the menu (classic Outlook “Outlook Item”)

1. Open a new email in Outlook classic.

2. Go to the Insert tab (or in some builds: Message → Attach File → Attach Item → Outlook Item).

3. In the dialog that opens, choose the folder (Inbox, Sent Items, etc.).

4. Select the email(s) you want to insert (use Shift for a range, Ctrl for individual picks).

5. Click OK; the selected email(s) will be attached to your message.

This method is handy if you don’t want to rearrange windows but prefer a picker dialog.

Outlook on the web (Outlook.com / web app)

1. Open Outlook in your browser and go to the folder with the email you want to attach.

2. Click New mail (or Reply/Forward).

3. If possible, open the new message in a separate window or pop-out view so you can see both the list and the compose area.

4. Drag the email from the message list into the compose area.

5. The email will attach as a file to your new message.

A quick example

Say your manager asks, “Can you send me the original complaint email from the client?”
Instead of forwarding the entire thread, you:

• Start a new email to your manager
• Drag the client’s original message into this new email
• Type a short note (“Here is the original message from the client for your review.”)
• Send — they receive your note plus the original email as an attachment, preserving headers and formatting.

TL;DR:

• On desktop: New email → drag the original email into it, or use Insert → Outlook Item.

• On the web: New mail → drag the original email from the list into the new message.

The recipient can open the attached email like any other file in their email program.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.