Prerequisites
Before you begin, make sure you have:
- Microsoft Outlook installed and set up on your PC
- Python 3.x installed
- The
pywin32library (used to control Windows applications like Outlook)
To install pywin32, run:
pip install pywin32Step 1: Import the Required Module
You’ll need the win32com.client module from pywin32
import win32com.client as win32Step 2: Start an Outlook Session
Create an instance of the Outlook application:
outlook = win32.Dispatch('outlook.application')Step 3: Create a New Email Item
This sets up the email object:
mail = outlook.CreateItem(0) # 0 = Mail itemStep 4: Set the Email Fields
Add the recipient, subject, and body:
mail.To = 'recipient@example.com' # Main recipient
mail.CC = 'copy@example.com' # Optional: CC recipient
mail.BCC = 'hidden@example.com' # Optional: BCC recipient
mail.Subject = 'Hello from Python and Outlook' # Email subject
mail.Body = 'This is an automated email sent using Python and Outlook.' # Plain text bodyStep 5: (Optional) Add Attachments
Attach a file if needed:
mail.Attachments.Add(r'C:\Path\To\Your\File.pdf')Step 6: Send or Preview the Email
To send the email directly:
mail.Send()To open the email for review before sending:
mail.Display()Step 6: Complete Code
import win32com.client as win32
# Step 1: Start an Outlook session
outlook = win32.Dispatch('outlook.application')
# Step 2: Create a new email
mail = outlook.CreateItem(0) # 0 = Mail item
# Step 3: Set email details
mail.To = 'recipient@example.com' # Main recipient
mail.CC = 'copy@example.com' # Optional: CC recipient
mail.BCC = 'hidden@example.com' # Optional: BCC recipient
mail.Subject = 'Hello from Python and Outlook' # Email subject
mail.Body = 'This is an automated email sent using Python and Outlook.' # Plain text body
# Step 4: (Optional) Add attachment
attachment_path = r'C:\Path\To\Your\File.pdf' # Replace with a valid path
mail.Attachments.Add(attachment_path)
# mail.Display() # Use this if you want to preview before sending
mail.Send() # Use this to send the email directly