“I forgot the attachment”: how to say it politely

Say this instead

1. 01

   I missed the attachment on my last email – here's the Q3 report. Tell me if you'd like anything changed before the meeting.

   Boss · Email

   Short and light, it owns the slip and puts the report in your boss's hands right away.

   Use for my message
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2. 02

   I sent my earlier email without the signed proposal, my mistake. It's attached to this one, and I'm happy to go through it whenever suits you.

   Client · Email

   Calm and responsible, which suits a client who is waiting on a signed document.

   Use for my message
   Copy
3. 03

   Following up on my application: I left my CV off my last email, so it's attached here. I can resend it in another format if that's easier.

   Recruiter / HR · Email

   Fits an application where the CV never went out, and offering another format shows you are easy to work with.

   Use for my message
   Copy
4. 04

   Oops, I hit send before attaching the spreadsheet. Here it is now.

   Coworker · Chat

   Friendly and quick for a peer, when fixing it fast matters more than formality.

   Use for my message
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5. 05

   I forgot to attach the rota to my last message, so here it is. Sorry for the extra step.

   Someone you manage · Chat

   Shows your report that you own small slips, and keeps the tone relaxed and direct.

   Use for my message
   Copy
6. 06

   Hi Lorraine, I should have attached your invoice to my earlier email. I've just resent it, and it should be in your inbox in a minute.

   Customer · SMS

   Useful when a customer is waiting and a text is the fastest way to say a corrected email is coming.

   Use for my message
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7. 07

   Correction from me: I sent my note about the draft deck with no file on it. It's attached here now.

   Boss · Chat

   Handy in a chat thread where your boss may already be waiting to open the file.

   Use for my message
   Copy

Examples

What to avoid

• Don't write a long apology or backstory, since one short line of ownership is enough.
• Reply on the same thread or reuse the original subject line so the file is easy to find.
• Resend only to the people who got the original email, and no one else.
• Blaming the email system or your connection is a poor move unless that really was the cause.
• Before you send the correction, check that the file is actually attached.

Related phrases

• What to say instead of “sorry I missed the meeting”→
• Better ways to say “it fell through the cracks”→
• A kinder way to say “I'm in a time crunch”→
• A kinder way to say “sorry for the typo”→
• Saying “you forgot something” at work→
• How to say “you forgot to pay” professionally→