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When I attach a Word 2003 document to a Thunderbird e-mail it opens in an unreadable format

  • 1 reply
  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by Toad-Hall

Dale777
Dale777
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It's xxx,s and symbols. What setting needs changed so it will be the original (readable) document?

It's xxx,s and symbols. What setting needs changed so it will be the original (readable) document?

Chosen solution

A: Are you saying that you create an email, attach the saved Word 2003 document and send, but the recipient cannot read it?

OR B: You created an email, attached the Word 2003 document, but then before sending, you decide to open the attachment from the attachment link, perhaps to double check it was the correct document, but it is messed up?


If A, perhaps either you have an anti-virus product scanning your outgoing mail or the recipient has one scanning incoming mail, which is causing a problem. Suggest you stop scanning outgoing mail.

If B: What is the extension on the document? What did you save it as ? When you open an attachment, Thunderbird will use the program you have it set up to use, so Thunderbird itself is not opening the document.

So what do you have set up here: Tools > Options > Attachments > Incoming tab Under 'Content Type' - do you see:

  • Microsoft Office Word 97-2003 document (application, msword: .doc)

What action is it set up to use ?

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Toad-Hall
Toad-Hall
  • Top 25 Contributor
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Chosen Solution

A: Are you saying that you create an email, attach the saved Word 2003 document and send, but the recipient cannot read it?

OR B: You created an email, attached the Word 2003 document, but then before sending, you decide to open the attachment from the attachment link, perhaps to double check it was the correct document, but it is messed up?


If A, perhaps either you have an anti-virus product scanning your outgoing mail or the recipient has one scanning incoming mail, which is causing a problem. Suggest you stop scanning outgoing mail.

If B: What is the extension on the document? What did you save it as ? When you open an attachment, Thunderbird will use the program you have it set up to use, so Thunderbird itself is not opening the document.

So what do you have set up here: Tools > Options > Attachments > Incoming tab Under 'Content Type' - do you see:

  • Microsoft Office Word 97-2003 document (application, msword: .doc)

What action is it set up to use ?