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Can't I send folders as attachments or must I send individual files?

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  • Last reply by Zenos

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OS Ubuntu 14.04. Thunderbird won't let me attach a folder that contains 2 other folders. It only lets me attach one file. I want to send these files organized (grouped) the way I have them in the folder. Is this possible?

OS Ubuntu 14.04. Thunderbird won't let me attach a folder that contains 2 other folders. It only lets me attach one file. I want to send these files organized (grouped) the way I have them in the folder. Is this possible?

Chosen solution

No, a folder isn't data. It is metadata about an arrangement of files and does not itself include the data contained within the files. In some systems, folders are files, but they contain only the address and other data, telling you where to go for the actual data files or subfolders.

Sending a folder would be like sending the index page from a book, rather than the book itself.

You must either send the individual files, or zip up the folder and send the resulting zip file. File compression tools such as zip allow complete folder systems to be preserved, though you may have to explicitly set an option, often labelled "keep folder names" or similar.

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Chosen Solution

No, a folder isn't data. It is metadata about an arrangement of files and does not itself include the data contained within the files. In some systems, folders are files, but they contain only the address and other data, telling you where to go for the actual data files or subfolders.

Sending a folder would be like sending the index page from a book, rather than the book itself.

You must either send the individual files, or zip up the folder and send the resulting zip file. File compression tools such as zip allow complete folder systems to be preserved, though you may have to explicitly set an option, often labelled "keep folder names" or similar.

Modified by Zenos