One of the most useful aspects of email is the ability to add files as attachments. Such attachments can be in any file format and where and how they are displayed depends totally on the recipients' email software.
How can I ensure attachments get noticed?
The simplest way to do this is to tell people they are there! A note in the main body of the email can easily inform that there are files attached and equally importantly what format the files are in.
Another key to getting your attachments noticed is to use clear and unambiguous filenames. As with your email subject headings, using meaningful and accessible filenames greatly increases the chances of your attachments being found and read.
What's in a name?
Giving your attachments meaningful filenames means that they can be found much more efficiently particularly by users who are relying on speech output. For example, shortened and abbreviated filenames are unlikely to be read in a meaningful way by screen reader software.
Some examples:
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The filename 'planx010' is not as meaningful as 'Planned expenditure 2010'.
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Without capitals 'plannedexpenditure2010' will be read as one unintelligible word by screen reader software, and is challenging to read by sight.
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'PlannedExpenditureReport2010' will be read as separate words and a date by most screen reader software.
The simple act of giving your attachments and subject headings meaningful names can mean the difference between your emails being read or consigned to the Recycle bin!
Further information on email is available in Using links and voting buttons and Formats.