Microsoft Office Tutorials: Add graphics to messages in Outlook

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

If line after line of plain text is boring your recipients, turn your message into a visual masterpiece with five different types of graphics.

On the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, choose one of the options.

Outlook 2013 or Outlook 2016

Outlook 2013 Insert Picture

Outlook 2010

Outlook 2010 Insert Picture

Pictures Browse to the folder where the picture you want is saved, select the picture, and then click Insert. You can resize or rotate the picture with the handle points on the edges of the picture. To change the picture options, right-click the picture, and then click a command.
Online Pictures in Outlook 2013/Outlook 2016, or Clip Art in Outlook 2010 Choose pictures from Bing Images.

When you search for clip art and pictures online, you'll be directed to Bing. You're responsible for respecting copyright, and the license filter in Bing can help you choose which images to use.
Shapes Click a shape. To change shape options, right-click the shape, and then click a command.
SmartArt Choose a layout for a SmartArt graphic, and then click OK. Click the SmartArt graphic to add text. To change the SmartArt options, right-click the SmartArt graphic, and then click a command.
Chart Choose a chart type, and then click OK. In the Excel worksheet that appears, enter the data for your chart. To close the spreadsheet, click the Excel button, and then click Close. To change the chart options, right-click the chart, and then click a command.
Screenshot Click one of the previewed images or click Screen Clipping. Select the area of your screen you want to capture.

It's a good idea to limit the size or amount of graphics you include as they can greatly increase the size of your email message.

More ways to liven up your message

WordArt is decorative text combined with special effects.

Click where you want to insert decorative text in your message, and then click Insert > WordArt.