Are you tired of scrolling through endless lines of email text just to find the attachment you need? Good news! You can display your Apple Mail attachments as icons, making them easier to find at a glance. Let’s get started!
Step by Step Tutorial to Display Apple Mail Attachments as Icons
Before we dive into the steps, let’s quickly talk about what this will accomplish. By following these steps, your Apple Mail attachments will no longer appear as a large preview within the email body. Instead, they will be shown as small icons, saving you space and making your emails look cleaner.
Step 1: Open Apple Mail
Open your Apple Mail app on your Mac. This is where the magic happens.
Opening Apple Mail is straightforward – just click on the stamp icon in your dock or find it using Spotlight search.
Step 2: Select Preferences
Once Apple Mail is open, click on ‘Mail’ in the top menu bar, and then select ‘Preferences’ from the dropdown menu.
This will open a new window with various options for customizing your Apple Mail experience.
Step 3: Click on the ‘Composing’ Tab
In the ‘Preferences’ window, you’ll see several tabs at the top. Click on the ‘Composing’ tab to access the settings related to email composition.
The ‘Composing’ tab is where you can adjust how you write and send your emails.
Step 4: Find the ‘Attachments’ Section
Within the ‘Composing’ tab, scroll down until you find the ‘Attachments’ section. It’s here that you’ll make the necessary changes.
The ‘Attachments’ section might be a little hidden, so take your time to locate it.
Step 5: Check ‘Always Send Windows-Friendly Attachments’
In the ‘Attachments’ section, you’ll see an option that says ‘Always Send Windows-Friendly Attachments.’ Make sure this box is checked.
Checking this box ensures that the attachments you send can be easily opened by recipients who use Windows.
Step 6: Check ‘Insert Attachments at End of Message’
Right below the ‘Always Send Windows-Friendly Attachments’ option, you should see another option: ‘Insert Attachments at End of Message.’ Check this box as well.
This setting will place your attachments at the end of your email, rather than inline with the text.
Step 7: Close Preferences
After making these changes, close the ‘Preferences’ window. Your settings will be saved automatically.
Closing the window is the final step in this process. Your attachments will now appear as icons.
Once you’ve completed these steps, your attachments will appear as small icons at the end of your email messages. This will make it easier for you to manage your attachments and for your recipients to find and download them.
Tips for Displaying Apple Mail Attachments as Icons
- If you frequently exchange emails with Windows users, displaying attachments as icons can prevent compatibility issues.
- Remember that changing these settings will apply to all future emails you compose, not to the ones you’ve already sent or received.
- If you change your mind, you can always revert these settings by unchecking the boxes in the ‘Composing’ tab.
- Keep in mind that large attachments might still appear as previews rather than icons, depending on the recipient’s email settings.
- If you’re sending multiple attachments, consider compressing them into a single file for easier management.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing these settings affect how I view attachments in emails I receive?
No, changing these settings will only affect the emails you send, not the ones you receive.
Can I still view an attachment preview if I want to?
Yes, you can still click on the attachment icon to open a preview if needed.
Will this setting work if I use Apple Mail on my iPhone or iPad?
These steps are specific to the Mail app on a Mac. The settings may differ on an iPhone or iPad.
Can I choose to display some attachments as icons and others as previews?
Unfortunately, no. The settings apply globally to all attachments in composed emails.
What if the recipient of my email doesn’t use Apple Mail?
The ‘Always Send Windows-Friendly Attachments’ option ensures that your attachments can be opened by recipients using different email clients, including those on Windows.
Summary
- Open Apple Mail.
- Select Preferences.
- Click on the Composing tab.
- Find the Attachments section.
- Check ‘Always Send Windows-Friendly Attachments’.
- Check ‘Insert Attachments at End of Message’.
- Close Preferences.
Conclusion
So there you have it! Displaying Apple Mail attachments as icons is a simple process that can make a big difference in how you manage your emails. Not only does it make your emails look neater, but it also makes it easier for recipients to find and download the attachments they need. Remember to use these tips to ensure a smooth experience and check the frequently asked questions if you run into any issues. With a little bit of tweaking, your Apple Mail app will be more efficient and user-friendly than ever before. Happy emailing, and may your attachments always be easy to find!
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.