Can I save an email as PDF on my phone?

Yes, both Gmail and Outlook mobile apps have a print option. In the app, open the email, tap the menu (three dots), select Print, and then choose Save as PDF from the print dialog.

Does the PDF include the email's attachments?

No. The print function only captures the email body and headers. Attachments must be saved separately from the email.

What if I don’t see “Microsoft Print to PDF” in Outlook on Windows?

The Microsoft Print to PDF printer may need to be enabled. Go to Windows Settings, then Printers & scanners, and click “Add a printer.” Look for “Microsoft Print to PDF” in the list and add it.

Can I convert an image attachment to PDF?

Yes. If you have image files like .jpg, .jpeg, or .png attached to an email, you can convert them to PDF using a tool such as the JPG to PDF converter on pdf-file-converter.net.

How to Save an Email as a PDF in Gmail and Outlook

To save an email as a PDF, use your email client's print function and choose a PDF destination or printer. This works in both Gmail and Outlook, creating a permanent record of any message. The search phrase “save email as pdf” covers the core need: turning an email into a portable, non-editable file for records, evidence, or archiving. Here are the steps for Gmail and Outlook, including what to do with attached files, which print-to-PDF leaves out.

Save an Email as PDF in Gmail

Gmail has no direct “save as PDF” button. Use the browser's print dialog instead. The steps below use Google Chrome, which includes a built-in Save as PDF option. Other browsers work the same way, though the PDF printer may carry a different name.

Gmail Print-to-PDF Steps

Open the email message you want to save.
Click the Print all icon (the printer symbol) in the top-right area of the message toolbar.
In the print preview window, click the Destination dropdown and select “Save as PDF.”
Adjust any settings if needed, then click “Save.”
Choose a location on your computer and name the file. Click “Save” again.

The email body and headers (sender, date, subject) are now in a PDF file. This method works for any email in your Gmail account, including those with formatting or inline images. Attached files are not included. Save those separately.

Save an Email as PDF in Outlook (Desktop for Windows)

Outlook for Windows offers a straightforward print-to-PDF workflow. Use the Microsoft Print to PDF printer that ships with Windows 10 and later.

Outlook Print-to-PDF Steps on Windows

Open the email message in Outlook.
Go to the File menu and select Print (or press Ctrl+P).
In the Print dialog, under Printer, choose “Microsoft Print to PDF.”
Adjust the layout or page range if needed. Click “Print.”
Choose a save location and file name, then click “Save.”

This creates a PDF of the email content exactly as it appears in the print preview. Microsoft Print to PDF is a system-level virtual printer that works with any application that supports printing. If you do not see it, enable it in Windows printer settings.

Save an Email as PDF in Outlook (Mac)

Outlook for Mac uses the operating system's built-in PDF printer. The process mirrors the Windows version but follows a different menu path.

Outlook Print-to-PDF Steps on Mac

Open the email in Outlook for Mac.
Click File in the menu bar, then select Print.
In the Print dialog, click the PDF dropdown or button (depending on your macOS version) and choose “Save as PDF.”
Set the page range or layout if needed, then click “Save.”
Name the file and choose a folder. Click “Save.”

This method works with all recent versions of macOS. The resulting PDF includes the email's text, headers, and any inline images in the message body.

Handling Attached Files When Saving an Email as PDF

Printing an email to PDF leaves out attached files. That is a limitation of the print function. If you need a complete record, save the attached files separately.

Download Attached Files Separately

In Gmail: Open the email, hover over each attached file, and click the Download icon (or right-click and choose “Download”).
In Outlook (Windows or Mac): Open the email, right-click an attached file, and select “Save As” to store it on your computer.

Keep the saved files alongside the PDF of the email. To combine image attachments (like .jpg, .jpeg, or .png files) into a single PDF, use a dedicated tool. The JPG to PDF tool on pdf-file-converter.net converts image files into a PDF document.

Using Print Email to PDF for Records and Evidence

Creating a PDF of an email preserves a message for record-keeping or as evidence. PDF files are widely accepted because they resist alteration and open on almost any device. Printing an email to PDF captures the full header information (sender, date, subject, and body), which helps verify authenticity.

A printed PDF is not a certified copy of the email. For legal or official purposes, take additional steps: save the original email file (for example, an .eml or .msg file) or use a service that verifies the email's integrity. For most personal or business records, a PDF created through the print function is sufficient.

Alternative Save Email and Attached Files as a Single PDF

Need the email and its attached files in one PDF? The print-to-PDF method will not include attached files. Save the email as a PDF first, then save each attached file separately, and combine them. For image attachments, convert them to PDF using a tool like pdf-file-converter.net's JPG to PDF converter, which supports .jpg, .jpeg, and .png files.

Another approach is to forward the email to a service that converts entire threads to PDF. That is outside the scope of this guide. The simplest method for most users: keep the email PDF and the attached files in the same folder, with clear names so you know they belong together.