how can I open Outlook attachments in Teams?

Question

how can I open Outlook attachments in Teams? It seems that it only give you a preview but does not show attachments.

Answer 1

@Sam

This scenario can be a bit confusing because Teams and Outlook each handle attachments somewhat differently. Here are a few points and workarounds to consider:

1. Preview versus Full Access – When you click an attachment within Teams (for example, when an Outlook email is shared or pinned in Teams), Teams often opens a preview of the file (usually through Office for the web). This preview mode is intended for quick viewing and may not display all the interactive features (or even the full list of embedded attachments) that you’d see if you opened the file in its native app.
2. Download or Open in Native Application – If you need full functionality, look for a download or “Open in [application]” button in the preview window. For many file types (like Word, Excel, or PDF files), clicking that button will launch the file in the desktop app or in a fuller browser experience. This is generally the recommended route when preview mode isn’t sufficient.
3. Files Stored in SharePoint/OneDrive – In many cases, attachments shared in Outlook and surfaced in Teams are stored in OneDrive for Business or SharePoint behind the scenes. If you switch to the “Files” tab in the relevant Teams channel or chat, you might find a link to the document’s location. Opening the file from there should give you full control and viewing options.

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