How to Forward Emails in Outlook, Single or Several (2026)

Forwarding is how a lead, a receipt or a supplier's answer gets from your inbox to the person who needs it. Done well, it takes seconds. Done badly, it sends a whole chain of private replies to someone who should never have seen them, so it's worth knowing exactly what Outlook sends along.

I've followed Microsoft's own support pages for this, and I'll flag the places where they stay general instead of giving a step for every version of Outlook.

Forwarding a single email from Outlook

Microsoft's guide says the Forward button isn't always in the same spot. Depending on your screen size and Outlook version, you'll find it at the top of the reading pane, beside the message, or on the main ribbon. Once you've spotted it, the routine is the same:

1. Open the email you received, or click it in your list.
2. Click Forward.
3. Type the recipient in the To box, and add Cc or Bcc if you need them. You can type a name or address, or pick a contact.
4. Look at the subject line. Outlook adds FW: before the original subject, and you can edit it.
5. Write a line or two on top of the forwarded text, then click Send.

That line on top is the bit most people skip. A forward with no explanation leaves the other person guessing what you want from them, so tell them in one sentence: 'Can you look at the quote below and confirm the dates?'

What goes with a forwarded Outlook email

Microsoft says the original attachments are included automatically when you forward. Replies work differently: the original file isn't included, because the sender already has it, though you can add a file yourself.

Action	What Microsoft's pages say
Forward	Subject gets FW: and the original attachments come with it
Reply	Original attachments are not included; you can add a file manually
Forward as attachment	The email travels as an attachment inside a new message
Forward several emails	Select them with Ctrl held down, click Forward, and they're bundled into one new email

Forwarding an Outlook email as an attachment

There are times you want the original message intact, such as passing a complaint to your web developer or a suspicious message to your IT person. Forwarding as an attachment keeps it as a separate item instead of pasting it into the body.

1. Select the email in your message list.
2. On the main Outlook ribbon, choose More Respond Actions.
3. Click Forward as Attachment.
4. Add the recipient and a short note, then send.

Microsoft describes this route for the desktop app. In other versions the wording may differ slightly, so look for a menu with 'forward' in its name rather than hunting for an exact label.

Forwarding several Outlook emails in one go

If a client needs the whole story, you don't have to forward ten separate messages. Microsoft says to hold Ctrl while you click each message, then click Forward. Outlook bundles them into one new email, so the recipient gets everything in a single place.

Check the bundle before you send. It's easy to pick up a message you didn't mean to include, especially in a busy folder.

Opening an Outlook forward in its own window

If you want more formatting options, like changing the font, Microsoft says to open replies and forwards in a separate window. Go to File, then Options, then Mail, scroll to the replies and forwards section and choose the option to open them in a new window.

Writing the note on top of a forwarded Outlook email

The forwarded text is the evidence. Your note is the instruction. I'd keep it to three parts: who the email is from, what you need, and by when. For example: 'This is the booking request from Sam. Can you confirm the room is free? I'd like to reply by Thursday.'

It also protects you. If a forward ever causes confusion later, the note shows what you asked for, and the original message sits right underneath it.

Forwarding Outlook emails sensibly in a small business

A few habits stop forwarding from causing trouble:

• Scroll to the bottom of the chain first. Earlier messages can include private comments, internal notes or other people's contact details.
• Delete anything the new recipient doesn't need before you hit Send.
• Use Bcc when you're passing an introduction along and don't want everyone's address on show.
• Never forward an email containing someone's personal information without a good reason.
• Treat unexpected attachments with care. If a message looks off, forward it to whoever looks after your security, not to a client.

If your forwards are part of a sales routine, my piece on getting more replies to cold emails covers what makes someone answer, and the email triage article shows how I think about sorting what needs a forward and what doesn't.

If the Forward button is missing in Outlook

1. Select a message first. The button usually stays unavailable until something is selected.
2. Look in the reading pane, beside the message and on the ribbon. Microsoft says the position varies.
3. Open the message in its own window and check the ribbon there.
4. Check which Outlook you're using, because classic, new and web versions arrange things differently.
5. Update Outlook and restart it.
6. If it's a work account and the option is still missing, your admin may have limited it, so ask them.

Microsoft's guide stays general about Outlook on the web, so menus vary. Look for Forward on the toolbar above an open message.

Frequently asked questions

How do I forward an email in Outlook?

Open the email and click Forward, which may sit in the reading pane, beside the message or on the ribbon. Add the recipient, check the FW: subject, write a note and click Send.

Does Outlook forward attachments?

Yes. Microsoft says original attachments are included automatically when you forward, though not when you reply.

How do I forward an email as an attachment in Outlook?

Select the email, then on the main ribbon choose More Respond Actions and Forward as Attachment.

Can I forward several emails at once in Outlook?

Yes. Hold Ctrl while selecting the messages, then click Forward. Microsoft says they're bundled into one new email.

Why can't I see Forward in Outlook?

The button moves depending on your screen size and Outlook version. Select a message first, then check the reading pane, the message itself and the ribbon.