If this works and you want the program to always open this type of file, right-click the file and under Open with, choose another app. Then, right-click the file and under Open with, choose a different program to open the file. Instead of trying to open the attachment directly from your e-mail client, save the attachment to your computer (e.g., save it to your desktop).

However, you don't have a PDF viewer, like Adobe Acrobat, installed. Many modern web browsers offer their PDF viewer, but this PDF is an attachment sent in an e-mail from a trusted sender. For information about how to view and change file associations, see: How to associate a file with a program in Windows.įor example, let's say you want to view a PDF document. Or, the program it's associated with may be experiencing errors, or was removed. If the file format is something your computer should be able to open, but it's not opening correctly, its file format may be associated with the wrong program. For example, a web page may be sent as an attachment in e-mail.īad file association or problem with program Be cautious of any executable sent through e-mail as this is the primary method of distributing viruses through e-mail. Movie files that require a compatible media player program to play.Īn executable file that starts the installation of a program. Windows bitmap image that is primarily opened in Microsoft Paint and can be opened with many but not all image editors. These basic image formats are widely used and can be opened and viewed by every image editor or viewer.Ī compressed file that must be uncompressed before the files contained in the file can be viewed. Microsoft Excel spreadsheet that can be opened with Microsoft Excel, OpenOffice Calc, or Google Sheets. Microsoft Word documents and can be opened with Microsoft Word, OpenOffice Writer, or Google Docs.Īdobe PDF file that is opened with Adobe Acrobat or PDF reader. Below is a listing of some common file formats sent over e-mail, their file extension, and the programs used to open those files. If you are going to be working with this file format often, install a program or viewer on the computer that supports the file format. In this situation, we recommend you have the sender save the file as a different format that the computer supports and re-send the attachment. PSD image file and you don't have Adobe Photoshop or another program that supports it, the file format cannot be opened. For example, if someone is sending you a. One of the most common reasons why you can't open an e-mail attachment is because your computer doesn't have the necessary program installed to recognize the file format. If the attachment is missing or not available, see: Why can't I receive any e-mail attachments? Unrecognized file format This page is for people who cannot open an e-mail attachment.

Unable to open pdf on mac