After including an attachment in an email, you should know how to refer the reader’s attention to it. You can say “please see attached,” but is it really the most professional phrase to use?
In this article, we’ve gathered the best alternatives to “please see attached.”
It is correct to say “please see attached.” It’s a very common and formal phrase in emails. Most of the time, it’s a professional way to refer the recipient to an attached document.
It’s quite polite as well. After all, it uses “please,” so you can’t go wrong with it.
You can use it as follows:
Please see attached when you get the chance.
Pros
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“Please see attached” is suitable in business emails. It’s one of the most useful phrases. But that doesn’t mean you can’t branch out and explore some synonyms.
You should read on to learn how to write an email with an attachment without “please see attached.” There are great options available to use.
The first thing that you should change about “please see attached” is the inclusion of “the.” It might not seem like much, but “please refer to the attached” makes the phrase much easier to use.
Notice how we can also include “file” when writing “please refer to the attached.” It allows you to specify what the attachment is. It’s a helpful way to guide the recipient to find what they’re looking for.
You can use it when emailing employees that have asked for a file. It’s a great way to share it with them and explain what they should look for.
Here’s a quick email example to help you:
Please refer to the attached file. I believe it has all the answers you’re looking for.
Best wishes,
Adam Tyler
Another great option is “please find the attached.” Generally, “see” and “find” are synonymous in business emails. We recommend using “find” since it implies the recipient has to actively look for the attachment before they can read it.
It works best when emailing employers if you’re trying to share attachments like a resume or cover letter. It’s professional and respectful, so it works well when you might not know the recipient well.
This sample email should show you more about how it works:
Please find the attached resume. I hope you consider me for this position, and I’m keen to hear back from you.
All the best,
Sean Wallace
The simple two-word alternative “please review” also works really well here. Above all else, it’s a very polite way to replace “please see attached.”
“Review” shows that you’d like someone to look over the attachment. It might be an invoice or spreadsheet, and you might need a fresh set of eyes to check things through to make sure there are no obvious mistakes.
Check out this email example to see how to use it:
Dear Ms. Martins,
Please review the invoice for your reference. Though, I believe everything is in order with it.
All the best,
Greta Tamer
You can’t be much clearer than saying “I have attached.” It lets the recipient know what you’ve done and that they should expect an attachment to be waiting for them at the end of the email.
It’s a clear and direct phrase that works well in most professional emails. We highly recommend it when you want to ensure the recipient doesn’t miss the attachment. After all, you couldn’t make it much clearer if you start an email with “I have attached.”
Why not refer to this example email as well:
I have attached the updated file for your review. Let me know if there’s anything else I need to change.
Best wishes,
Chris Poil
Perhaps changing the word order will help to keep things interesting in your email. Try “attached, you’ll find” to direct the reader’s attention to an attachment. It’s a great way to let them know what to expect as you write the rest of the email.
You can use this when emailing employees. It’s very direct and clear, allowing the recipient to find the attachment as soon as they read the phrase.
Generally, it’s best to go to the attachment before reading the rest of the email when using a phrase like this.
If you’re still stuck, this sample email will help:
Attached, you’ll find the letter sent by Mr. Barrowmore. Please let me know if you understand the contents.
All the best,
Mr. MacIntyre
A phrase like “you can refer to” works well to give someone a choice to review an attachment. Including “you can” shows that they don’t have to look at the attachment, but you would appreciate their attention in case they’re interested.
We recommend using this when emailing employees and sharing minor details about a work-related situation. While the contents of the attachment may not be important, some employees may still be interested to learn about it.
You should also check out this email sample:
You can refer to the documents to learn more about the situation. I also believe it covers all you need to know.
Best wishes,
Peter Taint
We recommend “you should review” when you want someone to look at an attachment. It encourages them to read through an attachment as soon as you send the email to them.
“Should” acts as a clear instruction. It shows that you would appreciate it if someone could review the information you’ve provided. The phrase is especially effective when you think the attachment applies to the recipient.
Here’s a quick example to show you how it works:
You should review the file attached to this email. After all, I think its contents apply to you.
All the best,
Danny Helm
It’s good to attach files to help someone understand something. However, you can also explain the attachment’s contents without them needing to read it.
That’s where “in the attached” comes in. It allows you to explain what someone should expect after the open an attachment. You only have to give a brief rundown of what to expect.
This phrase works best when emailing employees. It shows you want them to understand what an attachment is doing in your email, even if you don’t think they’ll actually read it.
The following example should help you if you’re still stuck:
On behalf of the company, you’ll learn more about the issues in the attached file. However, is there anything else you need from us?
Kind regards,
Mr. Aberforth
Finally, you can say “refer to the attachment below” in formal emails. It works because it directs the reader’s attention below the email.
Generally, most attachments come at the end of an email (allowing readers to go through the whole email before investigating). That’s why “below” works here, as it shows the physical location of an attachment on the reader’s screen.
You can use this in business emails to clients. It’s a great way to let them know you want to share an attachment with them, and they should pay attention to what it says.
Also, why not refer to this example to help you:
Dear Mr. Carlton,
As requested, please refer to the attachment below when you get a moment. It will explain everything.
Kind regards,
Tom Howard
