Sending emails with attachments is a common business requirement. Whether you’re sharing reports, invoices, or documents, automating this task can save time and reduce errors. Microsoft Power Automate (formerly Microsoft Flow) allows you to automate such processes effortlessly. In this guide by Digigrowz, we’ll walk you through step-by-step on how to send an email with an attachment using Power Automate.
This guide is designed to be simple, practical, and SEO-optimized to help you quickly understand and implement the process. If you’re looking to master how to create a flow to send an email with an attachment, you’re in the right place.
What is Power Automate?
Microsoft Power Automate is a cloud-based service that enables users to automate workflows between different applications and services. It supports a wide variety of connectors, streamlining repetitive tasks like sending emails, syncing files, and collecting data.
Why Use Power Automate to Send Email with Attachments?
Manually sending emails with attachments can be repetitive and error-prone. Power Automate solves this by:
- Saving Time: Automate repetitive email tasks.
- Reducing Errors: Ensure consistent formatting and attachment inclusion.
- Increasing Productivity: Focus on important tasks instead of manual emailing.
- Integration: Works seamlessly with SharePoint, OneDrive, Excel, Outlook, and more.
By using Power Automate, your team can automatically send emails with attachments based on triggers like form submissions, file uploads, or schedule-based events.
Prerequisites
Before you begin, make sure you have:
- A Microsoft 365 account.
- Access to Power Automate.
- A file to attach (stored in SharePoint, OneDrive, or another cloud service).
- Access to Outlook or another supported email connector.
Step-by-Step Guide to Send an Email with Attachment Using Power Automate
Step 1: Log into Power Automate
- Go to https://flow.microsoft.com
- Sign in with your Microsoft account
Step 2: Create a New Flow
- Click Create (left sidebar)
- Select “Instant cloud flow”
- Name your flow, example: Send Email With Attachment
- Choose a trigger like:
- Manual trigger (example: “Manually trigger a flow”)
Step 3: Get the File You Want to Attach
Option A: File is in OneDrive
- Add Action: Get file content
- Choose your OneDrive file path
- File: /Documents/invoice.pdf
Step 4: Send an Email with Attachment
- Add Action: Send an email (V2) (Outlook)
- Fill out:
- To: recipient@example.com
- Subject: example, “Here is your subject”
- Body: example, “Please find the attachment.”
- Scroll down to:
- Attachments Name – 1: invoice.pdf (Note: attachment name should me same as file name)
- Attachments Content – 1: Select File Content from the previous “Get file content” step
Step 5: Test Your Flow
Save and test your flow to ensure it works correctly. Upload a file or manually trigger the flow to verify that the email with the attachment is sent.
Common Use Cases
Some real-world scenarios where businesses use Power Automate to send an email with an attachment include:
- Sending monthly sales reports
- Automatically emailing invoices to clients
- Distributing newsletters with attached PDFs
- Sharing meeting notes after calendar events
Best Practices
To optimize your flow:
- Use meaningful names for each step.
- Handle errors using “Configure Run After” options.
- Limit the file size to avoid delivery issues.
- Use expressions and dynamic content to personalize emails.
- Secure sensitive data using encryption or access control.
Troubleshooting Tips
If your flow fails to send an email with an attachment, check the following:
- Ensure the file path is correct.
- Verify the email connector has required permissions.
- Confirm the file is not too large.
- Check dynamic content fields for accuracy.
Use the Power Automate run history to debug errors step-by-step.
Automating the process of sending emails with attachments is a powerful feature of Microsoft Power Automate. It enhances productivity, ensures accuracy, and saves valuable time. Whether you’re handling reports, forms, or client communications, you can now confidently send an email with an attachment using Power Automate.
At Digigrowz, we specialize in automation, digital transformation, and business productivity solutions. If you need help implementing Power Automate in your workflow, feel free to contact us for expert assistance.